Do What Is Called For

The Chan school often says that everyday activity—eating, cleaning, defecating, carrying water, chopping wood—is itself Chan. This point is quite profound and not something easily understood by persons who are new to the practice. If supplemented with a regular routine of seated and walking meditation, in time the ability to find meditative power in these activities will deepen. Thus, it should be understood that everyday activity itself become increasingly subtle as the practice matures. Like riding a bicycle, one gets only a rough idea from hearing instructions. However, as a rule of thumb, attend to the activity at hand with your entire body and mind. Do not think of the past; do not think of the future. Just do what is called for, using slow and precise movements.

---Master Sheng Yen---