Dogen says something like The walking of the mountain is satori. Satori is not an object and not something we can obtain. You continue to exhort us to work hard to break through. Isn't this a contradiction?

If we do not look at the correct words easily a misunderstanding may occur. If we understand this line by Dogen word by word, then we may believe that he is talking about satori. If that were the case, there are many people going for a hike into the mountains these days, and did they all experience satori? In the news you can read that people climbing Mount Everest leave piles of garbage behind. You someone who has experience satori act in such a way? How about yourself, can you look back at an experience of satori while walking in the mountains?

Dogen Zenji teaches us that Satori cannot be a mental idea. We need to use our whole body, we need to let go of all extraneous thoughts, mind and body both need to be purified. Yet only repeating satori satori will not get you to this experience either. The mind needs to become pure and clear, or else nothing will happen. Once we have purified our mind, we can use our whole being, mind and body, and from there the deep wish to work for society with love will arise. Satori is not an idea but the experience that we can love all in society equally, and this experience brings forth the vigor to work for the wellbeing of all. This does not work from ego or from self satisfaction. If you do not see this reality of the experience then the words of Dogen can be easily misunderstood.