You are already
Who you are,
Who you wish to be.
The path you seek
Is beneath your feet.
The summit you chase
Beats within your chest.
The acorn doesn’t doubt
The oak in its heart.
The caterpillar doesn’t fear
Its butterfly wings.
You are already
Who you are,
Who you wish to be.
Your journey is
to uncover and embrace.
The Seed of Self
Dōgen’s teachings emphasize the idea that enlightenment is not something to be achieved, but rather a fundamental nature that is always present and needs only to be recognized.
In his work “Shōbōgenzō,” Dōgen writes, “If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?” As the poem’s lines whisper, “The path you seek / Is beneath your feet.” Both Dōgen and the poem suggest that what we’re seeking is already present, waiting to be recognized rather than attained.
Isn’t it fascinating how we often search outside ourselves for what’s already within? This piece beautifully captures the idea that our true essence is always present, waiting to be recognized and nurtured.
The notion that we are already who we wish to be reminds me of what Carl Rogers, the founder of humanistic psychology, meant when he spoke about the “actualizing tendency.” He believed that every person has an innate drive towards self-realization and growth.
When the poem mentions the path beneath our feet, it echoes what Lao Tzu said in the Tao Te Ching: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Our journey of self-discovery is already underway, with every breath we take.
The image of the acorn not doubting the oak in its heart brings to mind what psychologist James Hillman called the “acorn theory.” He proposed that each person enters the world with a unique calling or purpose, much like an acorn is destined to become an oak tree.
The idea of uncovering and embracing who we are reflects what philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre meant when he said, “Existence precedes essence.” We are not defined by predetermined qualities, but by the choices we make and how we choose to see ourselves.
Furthermore, the poem’s assertion that “You are already / Who you are, / Who you wish to be” echoes Dōgen’s concept of “oneness of practice and enlightenment” (shushō-ittō). This principle suggests that the practice of seeking enlightenment and the state of enlightenment itself are not separate; we are already enlightened, even as we practice.
So what does all this mean? Perhaps it’s about recognizing that personal growth isn’t about becoming someone entirely new, but about uncovering and nurturing the potential that’s always been there.
Remember, every moment is an opportunity to align more closely with your true self. As Michelangelo reportedly said about his sculptures, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
So if find yourself striving to become someone different, consider: How can you better recognize and nurture the qualities you already possess? Because isn’t that what makes self-discovery so exciting? This realization that we’re not starting from scratch, but unveiling the masterpiece that’s always been there. Your true self is waiting to be embraced. How will you honor the person you already are today?