"Entering the forest, not disturbing a blade of grass; Entering the water, not causing a ripple." From Zenrin Kushu. Trying to tread quietly at Oirase Gorge.

Even the great Basho was lost for words (almost) when he came here to Matsushima. He may - or may not - have eventually written: 島々や千々に砕きて夏の海 "Islands and islands. Shattered in a thousand pieces, the summer sea." Whatever, I think I'll stay a while.

Let us take every step, regardless of the surface we are walking on, with full attention. Each step is a new unfolding moment. Gassho.

"A fish swims in the ocean, and no matter how far it swims there is no end to the water. A bird flies in the sky, and no matter how far it flies there is no end to the air [...] each of them totally experiences its realm." Dogen Zenji. This is the true meaning of freedom.

Visiting Dokeiji Temple, Odaka, Fukushima. The Great Eastern Japan triple disaster began 12 years yesterday. Recovery continues, both seen and unseen. Tokuun san, the Zen priest here, says we need to learn to listen to the earth. 合掌

Today in Hiraizumi, Iwate Pref. The great Basho came here in 1689, gazed at the ruins of the Fujiwara clan and wrote: "Summer grass! all that remains of ancient warriors' dreams." Looking at the great master's writing engraved on a rock, I thought about his dreams. 合掌

As insubstantial as this life is, it can change in a single moment, a single encounter. Let's be ready for those moments. 🙏 Delighted to be back with tsunami survivor and community rebuilder Akiko san. We discussed Dogen on time and hugged.

"Each moment, awake, asleep... Offering this prayer: May Shakyamuni Buddha's compassion envelop the world." Dogen Zenji Photo: Zaoji Temple, Yamagata

“When we realize that we are the ocean, we are no longer afraid of the waves.” Thinking about this Dogen quote a lot recently. Photo: visiting Daizenji in Gifu.

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Very careful indeed. Kurt Vonnegut channeling many a #zen master. All we are is awareness plus memory plus storytelling.

To develop something Kodo Sawaki Roshi said: Please remember that when we say 'I', everything that follows is a kind of story. Stories can heal and set us free. But they can also trap and even kill us. So let's hold our stories softly. 合掌 #zen

The method I was taught: Tune in to the pure awareness that comes before emotion and conceptual thought. Activate kindness. Repeat. 🙏🙏 (And don't get discouraged) Photo at Daizenji, Gifu. A very special place.#zen

I make a cameo appearance in manga (and prose) in new book: 100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Cafe - published tomorrow. I help Julian Sedgwick and Chie when they arrive at Osorezan in northern Japan. Stories of loss and healing for ages 10-100. #TokyoGhostCafe Guppy Books

"Ask for nothing, hope for nothing, be caught by nothing." Zen Master Hogen

Back from retreat to find the blossom already falling from the cherry we planted in memory of a good friend. "The life of true emptiness takes the form of whatever is here now." Hogen. #zen

Imposter syndrome? Don't worry. As my master always said, in a way we are all imposters from first breath to last. Embrace your role in this moment, playfully ... and don't forget to step off the stage now and then. 合掌

Back on pilgrimage in Tohoku. Matsushima Bay from the Michinoku trail, and discussing everything from Dogen to spirits to Wittgenstein to guitars with Kaneta san at Tsudaiji Temple. Every moment we are sharing birth and death and the space between 🙏

Dawn over Rikuzentakata, 13 years after the devastating tsunami. Yesterday evening high school kids were playing football on the re-landscaped park below...

Today I was grateful to meet Itaru Sasaki, the owner of the original Phone of the Wind. A disconnected phone in an old phone box that connects us to everything. For more than a decade people have come here to grieve and heal. We are always connected #zen #phoneofthewind

“Whether it is separated into drops or not, water is water. Our life and death are the same thing. When we realize this fact we have no fear of death anymore, and we have no actual difficulty in our life. “ Shunryu Suzuki #zen