How can action transcend to meditation in our routine life?
I will start with one of the zen story:
Two zen disciples were there who were fond of smoking. Once they decided that it is good to take master’s permission to smoke. So the next day both of them went to the Master to take his permission.
One disciple went in to take permission from the master. The one who was standing out saw his friend was in a sad mood. Asked what happened the discipline who went for permission said the master said you cannot smoke.
Now the other one went in. And the precious one was waiting thinking the master would not give him permission to smoke. To his astonishment Another disciple came out smoking a cigarette.
The 1st one was very upset about how you can smoke. Master will not permit this. The 2nd one replied that the Master gave me permission. The 1st one says how come he has told me no and why he gave you permission. I will go to him and ask why he has not given me permission.
The 2nd one told before you go to the Master please tell me what you have asked. The 1st one says I asked while meditating can I smoke? The 2nd one told him that your question was wrong. I asked while smoking, can I meditate?
What is the difference – we cannot reduce meditation into action. As actions are connected with our mind means with the influence of others and our judgements and projections. During the meditation we have learned to drop the mind and judgements, projections. So meditation cannot be reduced to actions. But through our actions we can enter into meditation, the inner sky. Because it is growth, transformation.