I recall a therapist I had many years ago tell me this "Once there was a young monk, he wanted to reach enlightenment, so he went to an elder and asked what he should do "Polish your rice bowl" was all the elder said. So the young monk went and polished his rice bowl. For 9 yrs. One day he reached enlightenment, and he went back to the elder and said "Master, I have reached enlightenment, now what should I do?" and the master said "polish your rice bowl"