Here it is, the whole quote I’ve been publishing over the last week or so.

Birth is just like riding in a boat. You raise the sails, row with the oar, and steer. Although you row, the boat gives you a ride, and without the boat you couldn’t ride. But you ride in the boat and your riding makes the boat what it is…
When you ride in a boat, your body and mind and the environs together are the undivided activity of the boat. The entire earth and the entire sky are both the undivided activity of the boat.

This post is for Bess and her person and all those who walk the fells. On two feet or four. May we all go safely watched over, as it were, by those past present and future who love. Unconditionally.

The entire earth and the entire sky
are both the
undivided activity
of the boat

This is the last section of the quote from Dogen’s Zenki. I’ll publish all of the quote tomorrow. However many times I visit these words they do not make ordinary sense. And I think that’s the idea, pointing us past what makes sense to a deeper truth that’s universal. It takes us out of ourselves while very much rooted in action.

The photo is from a walk called the Kentmere Round which I did on Monday.

When you ride in a boat, your body and mind and the environs together are the undivided activity of the boat.

It’s worth spending some time sitting with this. Really. Our lives as riding in a boat. Or riding makes the boat (living) what it is.

This photograph was taken about a month ago. A Regatta on the Thames.

The following quote is from Undivided Activity (Zenki) Zen Master Dogen.

Birth is just like riding in a boat. You raise the sails, row with the oar, and steer. Although you row, the boat gives you a ride, and without the boat you couldn’t ride.

But you ride in the boat and your riding makes the boat what it is.

More of this tomorrow.

What makes Dogen different from all other thinkers? someone asked when I gave a talk at St. John’s College in Santa Fe.
“His deep trust in action,” I replied. “Facing the enormity of the problems in the world, we often become cynical doubting that individual action can make a significant impact. Dogen’s view of the power of each individual action can be a driving force in challenging this cynicism.
So wrote Mr. Kazuaki Tanahashi, translator of Dogens works. Written in 2001

Zen Master Dogen indeed trusted in action. My monastic upbringing and practice points to even the smallest action, such as putting your shoes straight, as having deep significance. Small actions, big impact.

Out walking these past couple of days. I’m sure ‘somebody’ can name the features in the above photograph taken on Monday. A memorable day not least because my hat evaporated into thin air. Or so it seemed! I’ve got others. No worries.

More from Dogen on action as I once again drag my luggage south on public transport.