Finding Enchantment in the Ordinary: A Spiritual Path to Everyday Joy
What if your life turned out to be completely ordinary? Not terrible, but simply unremarkable. This thought experiment, explored by Nadine Levy, challenges our deep-seated desires for ascent and exceptionalism. In a world that glorifies growth mindsets and self-improvement, being ordinary is often viewed as a moral failure—a sign of a life unlived or lazily flattened. Yet, slowing down to relish the mundane can unlock a mindful, even enchanting experience.
The Pursuit of Happiness and the Illusion of Transcendence
Levy draws inspiration from Barry Magid's book, Ending the Pursuit of Happiness, which provocatively examines Zen and psychoanalysis. Many people enter spiritual practices with hidden fantasies: to rise above daily banality, become more accomplished, or achieve a heightened state of happiness. We might even use spirituality to feel self-righteous or superior, seeking something special beyond our current reality. However, over time, we often realize that these promises of transcendence are illusions, leading us back to the ordinary with a new perspective.
When Levy gave a talk on this topic, it met resistance. Questions arose: Is embracing ordinariness just acquiescing to the status quo? Are we being duped by late capitalism? Does an ordinary life equate to meaninglessness or a lack of ambition? These value judgments reflect societal pressures that prioritize optimization and exceptionalism. Yet, the Oxford definition of "ordinary"—common and indistinguishable by rank—suggests a more Buddhist-like humility, challenging our unwavering commitment to being exceptional.
From Disdain to Appreciation: The Zen of Daily Life
In spiritual circles, the initial desire to transcend the ordinary is a natural entry point. We attend retreats, chant, and meditate, fantasizing about insight and peace. This can lead to conceit, where we perform humility without truly embodying it. However, as Zen teachings illustrate, this stage is necessary before disillusionment sets in. The 13th-century master Eihei Dōgen described a journey where mountains are mountains, then no longer mountains, and finally mountains again—symbolizing a return to the ordinary with deeper understanding.
This is not about rejecting growth. As Shunryu Suzuki Roshi noted, you are perfect but could do with some improvement. It's about seeing through fantasies and relaxing our disdain for the everyday. By returning to what is already present, we cultivate greater mindfulness, lightness, and appreciation. Cultural theorist Ben Highmore argues that the ordinary is not banal but messy, dense, and artful—a cacophony of textured, sensual experiences that form the lifeblood of human culture.
Embracing the Luminous in the Mundane
Spirituality, as a living practice, helps make sense of an incomprehensible world by focusing on the simple facts of existence. We notice the intimacy of having a body, the cyclical care of others, and the half-formed daydreams that fill our days. There is a holy repetition in cooking, cleaning, and caring—activities often dismissed as unremarkable. In Zen, teacher Sono famously repeated, "Thank you very much, I have no complaints whatsoever," highlighting that nothing is lacking in the ordinary.
This collapses the distinction between meaningful and mundane. Experience takes on an even, steady flavour, revealing the sufficient and satisfying nature of daily life. As psychologist Jack Kornfield said, "After the ecstasy, the laundry." We begin to let go of the desire for ascent and turn toward our conditions—answering emails, washing dishes, going to the shop—with no complaints. These details become openings to relinquish self-focused drives and surrender to what is, bringing mindful receptivity to life's rhythm.
Levy reflects on her ordinary upbringing, filled with chips, television shows, and trips to the corner shop. As she ages, she recognizes the beauty and poignancy in these moments without needing them to be more. The ordinary becomes irreducibly and spectacularly enchanting, offering a path to a luminous experience through everyday joy.
