Sober Synthesis

1. “Chop wood, carry water”: Challenge yourself to realise that to wash dishes can be a pleasant and deep encounter with life in the present moment. It’s not lost time. It’s not a chore.

2. No Striving. If you’re washing the dishes just to get them clean and get on with something else, you haven’t yet attained the Zen of dishwashing. There’s only one way to wash dishes: “to wash the dishes.”

3. Release the tension. Holding your breath? Tension in the jaw? Shoulders up tight? Hand squeezing the sponge like your life depends on it? Which muscles would need to reconfigure to allow yourself to smile?

4. Connect your mind to the present moment, and the feel of water on your skin, dish in your hands. Release any resentment. Smile to any lingering regrets or anxiety, and gently bring the mind 100% to bear on what’s going on right now.

5. Check-in with your body. Can you feel the soles of your feet on the floor? How’s your back? Allow 100% of your body to participate in the act of dishwashing.

6. Connect with your ancestors. Are these your father’s hands you’re scrubbing with, or your grandmother’s? Who taught you to do the dishes? Did your great-great-grandmothers have the joy of warm water, sponges and soap?

7. See the galaxy in your spoon. Where has this metal come from? Or the glass? Or the clay in the plate? What were its previous lifetimes? Where will it be in 10,000 years?

8. No mud, no lotus. As you scrape out the grimy leftovers, or throw away the peelings in the compost, visualise what flowers they may nourish next year.

9. Nourish compassion. Be gentle with yourself and the dishes. Transform it into an act of love, freely given. Touch gratitude for having food to eat, soap to wash, and loved ones still alive to make dishes dirty!

10. Forget all these points so you can scrub in peace and freedom.