It would be easy. Under a desert sun, I’d park my Cadillac on the lifeless concrete in front of the only attraction for miles. I’d walk between two towering Buddhas guarding a revolving door and into an air conditioned wonderland. Sitting at the first slot machine I spotted, I’d play for a couple minutes and hit the enlightenment jackpot. Then, I’d waltz out of the casino with a check bearing Buddha’s signature, spending the rest of my life coasting on my spiritual earnings. For the rest of my life, I’d be knee-deep in Bali’s crystalline waters, today’s lunch order my only worry. This was my concept of enlightenment: a single flash of insight. Once you put in the work, you’re done.

Unsurprisingly, Zen has a different take, as captured by the classic phrase, “Before enlightenment, the laundry. After enlightenment, the laundry.” Enlightenment is doing each action with full attention and seeing each object with deep presence. After enlightenment, you still need to pay the light bill.

Meet action with attention. Enlightenment is a process, not a result–each second an opportunity to be present. Be wherever the moment asks. Be nimble. When life calls for drinking water, drink water.

Meet objects with observation. With enough attention, any object will reveal life’s core experience. Everything points to the same place. This place defies language, but a way-finding question may be this: “Does this object feel anger?” This resounding no helps peel back layers of reality until truth is stripped of superfluity. Realize what an object knows–or doesn’t.

Let every experience take you to itself. Every moment is always ready to reveal itself to you. When you look at the ocean, truly see the ocean. Mindfulness mixes the sublime with the ordinary.

Buddha’s check needs to be cashed every moment of every day. And those who try to live in bliss forever? They forget to do their laundry.