Cleaning: The Surprising Spiritual Practice That’s 1,000 Times Better Than Meditation

We often view cleaning as just another chore on the to-do list, but Zen monks like Soko have a refreshing perspective that may flip your mindset. He asserts that cleaning can be a much more effective spiritual practice than meditation, even claiming it’s a thousand times more powerful for inner peace. In the simplicity of temple life, the daily routines revolve around three main activities: eating, cleaning, and meditating. This intentional engagement in cleaning fosters mindfulness and helps cleanse both the physical space and the inner self.

Soko emphasizes that this method of moving meditation prepares one for deeper self-reflection. The act of cleaning becomes not only a means to tidy up but also a way to confront the messier aspects of our lives. Shoukei Matsumoto echoes this sentiment with his book,“A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind,”showing how actions like cleaning can serve as a path to reflection and mindfulness rather than mundane tasks. Who knew scrubbing floors could lead to such profound insights? Maybe next time you pick up a broom, you’ll think twice about that dusty corner.