At 10 degrees F. our fish pond is frozen. The circulating pump is on, but is there a hole in the ice to aerate the water for the goldfish?
I trudge through the snow to the pond, ax in hand. It’s a delicate operation to chop through the ice and not chop the pump or the pond liner.
A Zen koan says, “Chop wood, carry water.” Before enlightenment, i do my basic household tasks. After awakening, i do the same household tasks, but it looks/feels very different because there’s no “I” at home.
Today, i am chopping (frozen) water for the sake of the goldfish. When i go back indoors, i carry wood to the woodstove for warmth. Basic household tasks. But who is at home?