A Zen Master was asked, “What did you used to do before you became enlightened?”
He said, “I used to chop wood and carry water
from the well for my Master’s house.”
The enquirer asked, “And what do you do now that you have become enlightened?” He said, “I chop wood and carry water.”
from the well for my Master’s house.”
The enquirer asked, “And what do you do now that you have become enlightened?” He said, “I chop wood and carry water.”
The enquirer was obviously puzzled. “Then, what is the difference? You used to chop wood and carry water, you still chop wood and still carry water – what is the difference?”
The Master laughed. He said, “The difference is infinite!
I used to simply chop wood
not knowing the beauties that surrounded me.
Now chopping wood is not the same because I am not the same.
not knowing the beauties that surrounded me.
Now chopping wood is not the same because I am not the same.
My eyes are not the same,
my heart beats in a different rhythm –
my heart beats with the heart of the whole.
my heart beats in a different rhythm –
my heart beats with the heart of the whole.
There is a synchronicity, there is harmony.
Carrying water from the well is the same from the outside,
but my interior has become totally different.
but my interior has become totally different.
I am a new man, I am born again!
Now I can see in depth, I can see into the very core of things,
and each pebble has become a diamond, and each song of a bird is nothing but a call from God,
Now I can see in depth, I can see into the very core of things,
and each pebble has become a diamond, and each song of a bird is nothing but a call from God,
and whenever a flower blooms, God blooms for me.
Looking into people’s eyes I am looking into God’s eyes.
Yes, on the surface I am carrying on the same activity
but because I am different,
the world is different. “