Clean Your Dish

by Raymund Tamayo

A monk approached Atmaram and said, “I’ve just joined the monastery. Please teach me.” Atmaram asked, “Have you eaten your vegetables?” The monk replied, “Yes, I have.” Atmaram then said, “In that case, clean your dish.” At that moment, the monk became enlightened.

I won’t try to interpret the deeper meaning of this story, as I’m not enlightened enough to fully understand it. But what I want to focus on is the wonderful simplicity of that message:

“Have you eaten your vegetables? Then clean your dish.”

I think about this every time I finish a meal, and even when I complete any task. “Done eating? Clean your dish.”

There’s something deeply profound in this simple advice. It reminds us not to get lost in overthinking the complexities of life but instead, to focus on the next action. Just clean your dish. And in that small, mindful act, you’ll find everything you need.

For me, this rings true. After eating, I literally clean my dish, doing it slowly and with care. It’s a peaceful task that requires no money and few resources.

When I shower, I also take the time to wash some of my dirty clothes by hand, wring them out, and hang them to dry. When I change, I neatly put away my clothes. When I cook, I wipe down the counter and store the ingredients afterward. I aim to do these things regularly, though I’m not perfect.

Doing these tasks isn’t just about keeping things tidy. It’s about mindfulness, about finishing what we started, and being present in the moment instead of rushing to the next thing.

So, clean your dish, with care and joy.