You’ve probably heard of the Zen Buddhist phrase that goes something like this:
Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. What does that mean? And what is enlightenment?
Carrying water, or any daily task we do could be viewed as work, toil and drudgery. Before enlightenment, that’s exactly what life and most of our experiences feel like. They are not fun or uplifting, just work.
After enlightenment we do the same exact tasks; carry water, chop wood or take out the trash after dinner. But now, because of a new perspective, understanding or enlightenment, these same tasks become worthwhile and a joy.
Enlightenment is gaining a new perspective about life. Its just a fancy word for wisdom. You can easily recognize if you are enlightened if, while you are doing a menial daily task, you feel grateful, you feel it is worthwhile, you recognize from the head and heart that you are working for a higher purpose.
