Zenis a branch of Buddhism that came about in China during the 6th century.
So it has been around for a little while.
There is meaning behind the quotes, however, and many of the lessons are still useful today.
“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”
Achieving your version of “enlightenment” is not an endpoint in and of itself.
You’ll need to do the same things after so you can keep moving forward.
Whatever your work might be, bring all of yourself to it.
When you are fully present, you may find that your labor is no longer a burden.
And once you finally achieve “enlightenment” you still must chop wood and carry water.
Do your work, do it well, and when you find success, do it again.
“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and grass grows by itself.”
As strange as it sounds, sometimes it’s better to just do nothing.
The world goes on fine without your actions, and it goes on fine without you.
you could end up wasting all of your energy running around trying to find things to do.
The grass grows by itself.
“If you walk, just walk.
If you sit, just sit; but whatever you do, don’t wobble.”
The advice from this saying is sound and simple to understand, yet difficult to put into practice.
If it’s time to work, just work.
Give weight to your intentions and do exactly what it’s crucial that you do.
“When hungry, eat your rice; when tired close your eyes.
Fools may laugh at me, but wise men will know what I mean.”
Indeed, this saying does seem comical, but its simplicity is powerful.
In our day to day lives we find a way to complicate everything.
Life would be much easier if you just responded to things appropriately.
If you’re hungry, eat something.
If you’re tired, get some rest.
If you have work to complete, do your work.
It’s possible that your life could be much simpler than you make it out to be.
The wisest of lessons stand the test of time.
