I recently found a cyber-friend of mine on another well-known social media site (you know who you are!), and on viewing her page, I came across the most wonderful post. I liked it so much, and it provoked so much thought within me, that I wanted to share it with you here. I am not quoting word for word, but I think you will get the gist; it concerns peeling potatoes; or as I like to call them, “spuds”. It goes something like this..
Religion based spirituality – Peeling potatoes, thinking about God.
Zen spirituality – Peeling potatoes.
At first glance you would think that the religious person is a goody-two-shoes; thinking about God whilst engaged in a fairly mundane task. However, unless you have an understanding of Zen and are able to look deeper into what is being said, there is a good chance that this is the only conclusion you will draw.
In the first example, the person’s mind is active; and is therefore giving life to the non-existent ego, or false self.
In the second example, the person is simply Being and is therefore at one with “All That Is”.
It has occurred to me that Zen is the direct experience of our own Divinity.