I tested the cleaning technique of Buddhist monks - I’ll tell you what happened

All my life I really disliked cleaning house. This process took too much time and effort, and there was little interesting in it. Except that audiobooks saved the situation a little. However, I recently learned about how Buddhist monks clean temples. I decided to try this method and today I will tell you about my experience.

How it all happens

Residents of monasteries have a fairly strict schedule and a clearly measured routine. When they wake up, they pray and then get to work cleaning up. Moreover, they spend a trifling amount of time on it - about 15-30 minutes. Everyone takes on certain responsibilities. Some sweep, others wash dishes or floors. Although, it would seem, what can you do in such a short time, and even in a huge temple?

And this is the main feature of the process. As soon as the designated 20 minutes have expired, the monks quit what they are doing and continue with the schedule. Yes, right where we left off, with unwashed dishes and only partially swept floors. “What is the benefit of such cleaning?” you ask. But it shouldn’t exist, because the main point is meditation.

Scientific background

However, as scientists say, such a method of conducting life is also useful for those who do not need spirituality. And for several reasons at once. Firstly, because of the attitude towards business. Most people are accustomed to considering cleaning or cooking a mandatory routine. Almost like a second job. But it is precisely because of this that she takes so much strength.If you wash dishes not for cleanliness, but for the sake of the process, then things will go faster. In addition, having freed your thoughts, you can even rest and relax. After all, at its core, cleaning is a fun game with a reward at the end. Research has even been conducted on this topic.

Secondly, because of the “raising of problems”. That's why we often don't want to solve household chores? For example, I am disgusted by just the thought of how much time I will have to spend on this. Household chores “tower” over me, frightening me and forcing me to procrastinate. As a result, even just starting to make them is difficult. But if you promise yourself that in 20 minutes I will put the mop down and go drink some tea, then everything should become easier. And there you may not want to be distracted by a break...

Personal experience

Well, everything sounds great in words, but how does it work in practice? Cleaning has long been my personal enemy number one, so I decided to try the practice of Buddhist monks. Suddenly I’ll discover Zen, open my third eye, and even polish my apartment to a shine.

First, I tried on myself a psychological trick of stopping 20 minutes after starting. Of course, the first couple of days the brain refused to be deceived. “Business is business, no matter how much time you spend on it,” he told me. However, it was worth trying once and it became noticeably easier. The main thing is to clearly keep the promise you make to yourself. Well, then the process begins to captivate. Somehow I don’t really want to give up a task halfway.

However, the second problem remained in force: I was terribly tired from the simplest cleaning. It has become easier to start, but the tag “obligatory tedious routine” has not gone away. So I had to learn meditation. Fortunately, it didn’t take me much time.From my own experience, it’s very similar to relaxing in video games or watching an interesting TV series. You just need to take your mind off all thoughts and immerse yourself in the process. Think not about how much work is left, but about how pleasant it is to wipe off dirt with a rag, for example. This, by the way, is now my favorite part of cleaning.

As a result, I can say that the method really works. It’s easier to start the process, and much less energy is wasted. However, you will have to forcibly retrain yourself and change your train of thought. Consciously control your brain. Without this, alas, there is no way. Tips on acquiring useful habits will come in handy, but more about that another time.