Everyday Zen

by Charlotte Joko Beck

Work is the best part of Zen practice and training. No matter what the work is, it should be done with effort and total attention to what’s in front of our nose. If we are cleaning the oven, we should just totally do that and also be aware of any thoughts that interrupt the work. “I hate to clean the oven. Ammonia smells! Who likes to clean the oven, anyway? With all my education I shouldn’t have to do this.” All those are extra thoughts that have nothing to do with cleaning the oven. If the mind drifts in any way, return it to the work. There is the actual task we are doing and then there are all the considerations we have about it. Work is just taking care of what needs to be done right now, but very few of us work that way. When we practice patiently, eventually work begins to flow. We just do whatever needs to be done.