Diving into the heart of the Shōbōgenzō means discovering that practice and realization aren’t two separate mountains to climb but one seamless path. A starting point lies in Dōgen’s teaching of “just sitting” (shikantaza). Carving out even five minutes for posture and breath—no agenda, no outcome—rekindles the mind’s natural steadiness. It’s a mini digital detox, especially welcome when smartphones ping like alarm bells.

Everyday chores become a dojo. Washing dishes, answering emails or walking to the corner store can turn into zazen in action. Attention to each movement, every rising thought or sensation, reflects Dōgen’s insistence that practice isn’t detached from life; it’s life itself unfolding, moment by moment. While waiting for a coffee order or scrolling social media headlines, try grounding awareness in posture and breath—one step at a time, as the saying goes.

Embracing impermanence, another pillar of Dōgen’s insight, helps navigate stress in a world racing toward artificial-intelligence breakthroughs and climate summits. Thoughts and feelings are like clouds drifting through the sky of awareness: no need to chase or cling. Noticing their passing softens reactivity, whether responding to breaking news or personal challenges.

Then there’s Uji, “being-time,” which flips the script on how time is viewed. Each moment is both the experiencer and the experienced. Calendars packed with back-to-back Zoom calls? Try infusing the first breath of each meeting with silent registration of presence. It’s a gentle reminder that even in the hum of 2025’s hyperconnected world, every instant holds its own full expression.

Sharing tea with friends, sending a kind text, or simply pausing to feel the body’s contact with the chair—these become gateways to Dōgen’s expansive vision. The essence of the Shōbōgenzō blooms when practice seeps into daily life, dissolving any gap between cushion and kitchen, screen and street.