An important idea that is central to Dōgen Zenji's Shōbōgenzō, practice realisation summarises an approach to existence which recognises that what we do, from cooking to cleaning, from conflict to communication, is an expression of our understanding of ourselves and our relationship to existence. When we become aware of this, we can shift how we approach each action, seeing ourselves as engaged in the process of awareness, and even awareness-raising, even as we go about our everyday tasks. This is essential if we are to shift from the blind inevitability of cause and effect to the possibility of becoming agents for the values and beliefs that mean the most to us. This is practice realisation.