From the book Awakening: Conversations with the Master by Anthony DeMello

This is the explanation the Master gave his disciples:

“There are two ways to wash dishes: One is to wash them in order to make them clean; the other is to wash them in order to wash them.”

That was still far from clear, so he added, “The first action is dead, because while your body does the dishes your mind is fixed on the goal of cleaning them; the second is alive, becuase your mind is where your body is.”