A lot of times as spiritual people, we create this divide between spirituality and mundane life. We want to be special, to do our own thing, to not be confined to the daily grind of the 9-5.
So we meditate, we go to workshops, we listen to channeled messages from other-worldly beings. We do what we can to make life feel mysterious—even magical. Perhaps we even start up a business sharing our insights with others, or trying to help others in some way.
And hey, it works sometimes. There are lots of successful spiritual business owners doing what they love and making their spirituality their life.
But there are even more who fail. There are countless people trying and failing to make something meaningful (to them) of their lives, and feeling like they have failed. Mundane life reasserts its hold.
I always hated the Zen saying that goes: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” I’d prefer it say something more like, “After enlightenment, go on wonderful, magical adventures and bring your knowledge to the world.” The actual saying always just seemed pointless and depressing.
I hated it, once upon a time. I no longer do, because I saw something vital to my own peace: mundane life is the totality. It’s the whole point. It’s wonderfully spiritual and special and purposeful, and I’ve found a way to fall in love with just normal, ordinary, day-to-day life. I’ve found a way to be satisfied with chopping wood and carrying water, and not need anything more than that.
