Koan

[Nowhere357]

My western mind is irritated by koans.

I have learned much from meditation, yin/yang, zen, and the noble truths. I'm a better person inside and out for the insights I've gained.

But for example I have no idea what the sound of one hand clapping is supposed to mean. All I get is, I imagine one hand clapping, and the clapping sound is even more imaginary.

Is there a way to gain insight from the koans short of dedicating one's life to meditation? (A step I'm not interested in taking, as it seems to entail a seperation from the rest of life.)

[enrious]

The sound of one hand clapping is laughter, from those watching someone clap with one hand.

[Heathen Dawn]

Koans are supposed to release you from the shackles of language. They are an antidote to the stranglehold of language-based thinking. “The sound of one hand clapping” is a jolt out of the same old rut.

[Adora]

Koans are meant to clear the mind of "logical" thought, not encourage it. The stupidity and confusing matters of them are not what matters, but the act of using them as a key to enter a state of meditative non-thought. Thus, they are used to "clear the mind" and are not meant to be pondered on like western philosophical koan's such as the "Liars Paradox" etc.

In other words, don't think too hard about them.

[Nowhere357]

Originally posted by Adora
Thus, they are used to "clear the mind" and are not meant to be pondered on like western philosophical koan's such as the "Liars Paradox" etc.
Do you mean, an answer is not sought? Because I have some skill at clearing the mind, both actively and passively, already.


enrious
The sound of one hand clapping is laughter, from those watching someone clap with one hand.
I've been chuckling all day at this. Thanks!

[Jabu Khan]

slap your fingers of one hand against the heel of your palm that is the sound of one hand clapping.

[Sarpedon]

My favorite koan comes from a story about a battle.

Takeda Shingen led his army against that of Uesugi Kenshin. Shingen's plan was to have half of his army surprise Kenshin in his camp, and then ambush them with the other half as they fled. Kenshin, however, anticipated this move, and led his entire army against the ambushing forces in a bold night-attack. Shingen's forces were at a severe disadvantage, as they were not only outnumbered, but ill-disposed to meet such an attack. According to the legend, Shingen was sitting in his headquarters, directing his troops, when a squad of cavalry led by Kenshin himself burst in. Kenshin, seeing his nemesis, struck at him with his sword, while asking: "so, what are you thinking at this moment?" (doubtless gloating over his anticipated victory) Shingen (a former monk) replied; "A snowflake falling on a stove." he repelled the attack, and soon the other half of Shingen's army arrived and defeated Kenshin. It was said many years later that Kenshin wept when he heard of Shingen's death.

Sometimes koans take the form of seemingly out-of-place comments.

[Adora]

Do you mean, an answer is not sought? Because I have some skill at clearing the mind, both actively and passively, already.

The answer is nothing, so yes, an answer is sought, but not an answer as you believe it to be. The answer is not to find an end, it is to find a beginning to pondering the universe in all its totallity and nothingness.

Oh, and for all the hardcore scientists out there, of course a hand moving through the air makes a sound, it's just our ears are not sensitive enough to hear it.

"Cl".

[Magic Primate]

The sound of one hand clapping is the same as the sound you heard before your parents were conceived.

You could say 'Mu', but that wouldn't quite hit the mark. That's why monks when asked such questions sometimes respond by doing things like taking a sandal off and putting it on the head.

The question does not have a rational answer because the question does not make sense.

Alternatively, for a more up-to-date cheesy sci-fi response you could pretend to be a robot and run around bumping into things going 'does not compute. does not compute.'

Allow the question to short your logic circuits for a while and experience something beyond rationality.

[Onager]

The sound of one hand clapping is the sound of a slap in the face.

The old chestnut concerning god making a rock so heavy he cannot lift it is a good example of a more western koan. It's more structured and less poetic, but it has the same built-in impossibility.

[Grommitt]

Perhaps you should just sit and try to find out who it is that is feeling irritated. If you are trying to "gain" something from the practice, it might be that you have missed the point of it. Just sit with the irritation and see what happens.

Have no expectations. Have 'beginner's mind'. Just sit. Above all, don't wobble.

"Stand at the precipice,
That existential darkness,
And call into the void.
It will surely answer."

If that doesn't work, go and get some Chinese food and then take a nap. :D

[andy_d]

Originally posted by Grommitt
Just sit. Above all, don't wobble.


Class! :D