a bowl of zen
In my Hunt for zen, I found this little tale that has a little added note as to what the story means. (“Wash your bowl”) It reminded me of how zen is suppose to be simple. (Simple as eating rice!) The commentary was not signed but I’ll add a link to the source, author unknown.
I remember as a child, I would take forever to eat. I would literally sample each bite and swirl the food around in my mouth and contemplate the flavors like a master chef. Especially if it was a dessert. I would eat my ice cream or cake trying to make it last forever, engrossed in every spoon-full.
The other day at work, I was in such a rush that I inhaled my food and went back to my duties. A Co-worker asked, “How is the food in the O.D.R.?” (Officers Dining Room) I thought a moment, then realized, I did not even take the time to savor the flavors. I just filled the void in my belly and moved on. A reminder that we should always take life minute by minute, rather than fly through it.
Those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail…
It is a simple task to rinse your bowl or plate after eating. If you do not and lay the plate or bowl down (after eating) and go about your way, the food then dries/ hardens and the task of washing your bowl or plate then becomes twice the work. The same is true about nearly all facets of life, what we put off in haste will still be there later and will probably be more work than if we were to follow the natural course of our daily lives. Keep it simple my Friend!
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Wash your Bowl
There’s a famous Zen story that goes:
A monk told Joshu, “I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me.”
Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your rice porridge?
The monk replied, “I have eaten.”
Joshu said, “Then you had better wash your bowl.”
At that moment the monk was enlightened.
I’m not going to try to explain that story, as I am far from enlightened enough to understand it. Instead, I’d like to focus the wonderful simplicity of that advice:
Have you eaten your rice porridge? Then you had better wash your bowl.
This is something I think of every time I eat, and in fact whenever I’m done doing something. “Done eating? Then wash your bowl.”
There is something profound and yet minimalist about this advice. It’s: don’t get your head caught up in all this thinking about the meaning of life … instead, just do. Just wash your bowl. And in the washing, you’ll find all you need.
I’ve found this to be true. I literally wash my bowl after eating, slowly and with mindfulness. It’s satisfying, and takes no money and little resources.
When I take a shower, I hand wash my dirty clothes (if they’re dirty), wring them out, hang them to dry. When I change, I carefully put away the clothes I’ve changed out of. When I prepare food, I wipe the counter and put away the ingredients. At least I try to – I don’t claim to be perfect.
Remembering to do these things when we’re done with the activity isn’t just about neatness. It’s about mindfulness, about completing what we started, about being present in all we do instead of rushing to the next activity.
Wash your bowl, with care and joy.
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- source: wash your bowl
- picture source: top bottom
- related (zendictive story): master time
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life is 90 percent maintenance, so get busy
may your day be a simple one
What I heard in these stories was to live in the moment. Inhaling my food because I’m in a hurry for…. what? What is really so important that I deny myself a simple pleasure of enjoying my food? Of rinsing my bowl?
I am guilty of getting into that rush. In thinking this outer ‘stuff’ is important. I’m not there yet, but I take heart in the fact that I am aware of how far I have to go.
rumpydog - February 3, 2012 at 9:33 am |
Good post. When I cook a big meal, I try to wash dishes along the way so they don’t pile up so much by the end. If I can’t get to them until later, I at least like to soak them so the food doesn’t dry and make it harder to clean later.
Fergiemoto - February 3, 2012 at 10:25 am |
I like this one. It says so much about the little things. I think it means that no present moment is better than the next. They are all good in their own way. So why skip steps and why hurry to get to the next present moment?
Linda Vernon - February 3, 2012 at 10:30 am |
Art, I had a bowl washing experience today when I was preparing a post for my first contribution at Christian Blessings http://ptl2010.com I know that I am not the conventional preacherly type, as did the sponsors when they invited me! But as I practiced what I preach about saving the environment and not driving locally, but walking/riding a bike, (washing my bowl), the post came together with appropriate scriptures and how I needed to semi-gently word the point I wanted to make about not always depending on conventional means to inspired others to come out into The Light and out of the Darkness. By the way, do you have any extra soap? I may run out of dishwashing liquid at this rate!
granbee - February 3, 2012 at 2:12 pm |
I am always grateful for the lessons you teach me every time I read you page.xx
willowdot21 - February 3, 2012 at 3:04 pm |
I feel reluctant when I am to wash the dishes after the meal, but once I begin it I often get some new ideas to solve various problems in life.Yes, the time to wash the bowl is also a creatve one.
bibuji - February 3, 2012 at 4:22 pm |
I have a hardtime working among clutter. So I understand how washing is not only therapeutic, but freeing. Aaaaaah
Barb - February 4, 2012 at 12:24 am |
Simple is so much better. Clutter in your home makes clutter in your head.
Thank you and I will remember to wash my bowl.
living4bliss - February 4, 2012 at 1:45 pm |
[...] zendictive stories: a bowl of zen butter and [...]
tasting zen « zendictive - April 16, 2012 at 5:10 am |
I must say, I’m glad Daniel washes his bowl after eating. I find that a simple thing too, but so many don’t do it.
Another thing I hate to see is when people eat at takeaway restaurants and leave their rubbish ON THE TABLE when the bin is not just near them, but on the way out the door. I really, really don’t understand…
WordsFallFromMyEyes - April 14, 2013 at 12:08 am |