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Broom
Feel free to sweep the kitchen floor, but it is YOU that will get clean
If you peel the onion of most spiritual traditions you will find lots of common denominators — the same basic truths expressed in different ways.
One of these universal truths can be boiled down to six words: let go of attachment to results.
Simply put, enjoy what you do and don’t worry so much about the outcomes.
“The root of suffering is attachment.” – Buddha
This is not to say that there’s anything wrong with having plans or goals. Plans and goals are fine. Have all you want. Just make sure it’s you having them instead of them having you.
Big difference.
The following poem – the first piece of writing I ever got paid for ($10 from Rolling Stone Magazine in 1970) – sheds some light on this curious phenomenon — a kind of Zen koan in action.
BROOM
The kitchen is dirty,
there is dust between the floorboards,
the harder I sweep
the more bristles break off,
dust flies and settles again,
coughing,
I have swept up the broom.
Excerpted from my forthcoming book of poetry, “Unspoken Word”.
