Comments on: Chop Wood, Carry Water: Zen and Coping with Bereavement http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/ Looking at life through the prism of psychology, philosophy, mental health and more. Originally created by counsellor, psychotherapist and philosopher Dr Greg Mulhauser, this blog is now the work of an international team of contributors. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:41:22 -0500 hourly 1 By: John Patton http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-50561 John Patton Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:48:44 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-50561 I'm not sure what making money online has to do with dealing with bereavement. I must have missed something somewhere. John J. Patton I’m not sure what making money online has to do with dealing with bereavement. I must have missed something somewhere.

John J. Patton

]]> By: Evan Hadkins http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-50411 Evan Hadkins Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:21:45 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-50411 Hi John, I really resonate with your comment. I think at the moment I am in "a day without work is a day without food" phase (or a day without knowing what work to do is a day without food phase). I guess I am looking for the natural way of making money online. Thanks for your comment. Hi John, I really resonate with your comment. I think at the moment I am in “a day without work is a day without food” phase (or a day without knowing what work to do is a day without food phase). I guess I am looking for the natural way of making money online. Thanks for your comment.

]]> By: John Patton http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-50410 John Patton Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:55:42 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-50410 I am very touched by this post. The acceptance of impermanence is at the very core of Zen teaching's. Indeed, we only begin to understand after we have suffered greatly. This idea we have of ourselves, our stories, are greatly dependant on those we love and associate with. When we lose them, we lose a part of ourselves, we have to make a sober adjustment to our story. The underlying truth is that our stories are more imagination than anything else, and only when they painfully conflict with reality do we begin to question them. So what happens if the ego dissolves and we do wake up, what do we do then? We chop wood & we carry water. But we don't build a story around it. We don't use others and the world to add to our idea of ourselves, to achieve personal gain. There is another Zen saying: "A day without work is a day without food." It's really that simple. All that is left is to follow the natural law's, no story required. Like the birds, the plants, the animals. The reason for doing is inherent in the doing itself. After eating, wash your bowl. The only difference between us and the rest of nature is that inner commentary we maintain in our minds. The only "problems" in existence are in the human mind. Where else? So, we can accept life as it is, and align with the natural way. Or, we can keep telling ourselves stories, adding consolations and rationalizations to keep it working. Either way, chop wood, carry water. John J. Patton I am very touched by this post. The acceptance of impermanence is at the very core of Zen teaching’s. Indeed, we only begin to understand after we have suffered greatly. This idea we have of ourselves, our stories, are greatly dependant on those we love and associate with. When we lose them, we lose a part of ourselves, we have to make a sober adjustment to our story. The underlying truth is that our stories are more imagination than anything else, and only when they painfully conflict with reality do we begin to question them. So what happens if the ego dissolves and we do wake up, what do we do then? We chop wood & we carry water. But we don’t build a story around it. We don’t use others and the world to add to our idea of ourselves, to achieve personal gain. There is another Zen saying: “A day without work is a day without food.”
It’s really that simple. All that is left is to follow the natural law’s, no story required. Like the birds, the plants, the animals.
The reason for doing is inherent in the doing itself. After eating, wash your bowl. The only difference between us and the rest of nature is that inner commentary we maintain in our minds. The only “problems” in existence are in the human mind. Where else?
So, we can accept life as it is, and align with the natural way.
Or, we can keep telling ourselves stories, adding consolations and rationalizations to keep it working. Either way, chop wood, carry water.

John J. Patton

]]> By: Diane http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-47728 Diane Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:25:09 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-47728 Sarah, WOW.... Sarah,

WOW….

]]> By: Karen http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-47484 Karen Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:43:14 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-47484 I recently held my grandmother's hand as she died. She was a wonderful woman, a role model, a saint. While I was very sad to lose her, I handled her death better than I have ever handled a death before. I actually spoke to her as she was dying, telling her that it's okay to go to Jesus. My grandmother loves flowers, and I told her that she was going to see the most beautiful garden ever, and she was going to be with Jesus and my grandfather, and all of her loved ones who went before her who had accepted Christ as their savior. I told her that I wanted to go with her, but I'll wait until God's time, according to His plan, and I will see my Grandmother again. She'll be healthy, without pain or illness, and in a heaven without sin. I can only imagine. It's somewhat soothing when someone dies... to know where they are going and that they will live in eternity with Jesus. It just blows my mind. I can't wait!! But I will. God still has more plans for me. If you get a chance, read the book "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. It's amazing. Please know that I am not religious. But I do have a person relationship with Jesus and pray for everyone who doesn't have that relationship. God Bless, Karen I recently held my grandmother’s hand as she died. She was a wonderful woman, a role model, a saint. While I was very sad to lose her, I handled her death better than I have ever handled a death before. I actually spoke to her as she was dying, telling her that it’s okay to go to Jesus. My grandmother loves flowers, and I told her that she was going to see the most beautiful garden ever, and she was going to be with Jesus and my grandfather, and all of her loved ones who went before her who had accepted Christ as their savior. I told her that I wanted to go with her, but I’ll wait until God’s time, according to His plan, and I will see my Grandmother again. She’ll be healthy, without pain or illness, and in a heaven without sin. I can only imagine.

It’s somewhat soothing when someone dies… to know where they are going and that they will live in eternity with Jesus. It just blows my mind. I can’t wait!! But I will. God still has more plans for me.

If you get a chance, read the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn. It’s amazing.

Please know that I am not religious. But I do have a person relationship with Jesus and pray for everyone who doesn’t have that relationship.

God Bless,
Karen

]]> By: Sarah Luczaj http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-44795 Sarah Luczaj Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:33:52 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-44795 Thinking of you, diana... and thank you Evan. Thinking of you, diana…

and thank you Evan.

]]> By: diana http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-44791 diana Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:09:56 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-44791 I read this post as I was sitting on my couch wondering if I could go to work today. My father died a few weeks ago and I don't feel like myself. This post helped me decide to get off the couch and do what I need to do. Thanks. I read this post as I was sitting on my couch wondering if I could go to work today. My father died a few weeks ago and I don’t feel like myself. This post helped me decide to get off the couch and do what I need to do. Thanks.

]]> By: Evan http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/06/17/chop-wood-carry-water/#comment-44742 Evan Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:54:31 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=475#comment-44742 Beautifully put. The magic of the separation and communion is in the meeting. Perhaps as we are (however distantly) now, because you have spoken from your heart. Rawly and without pretense. Thinking of you. Beautifully put.

The magic of the separation and communion is in the meeting. Perhaps as we are (however distantly) now, because you have spoken from your heart. Rawly and without pretense.

Thinking of you.

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