What Is A Koan?
A koan is a multi-level structure device that is used in Buddhism to help
a person expand their awareness. Koans can be long or short, verbal or
non-verbal. Probably the most famous koan in the West is: “What is the
sound of one hand clapping.”
At first glance a koan often appears to be a meaningless phrase. What
great insights can be gained by thinking about the sound of one hand
clapping? However when you focus intently on a koan for extended periods
of time, the natural reality can be revealed to you.
Koans often juxtapose two or more incongruous concepts. Normally we think
that it takes two hand to clap. How can one hand clap? What does it clap
against? Your finite mind can think about this, analyze it and get
frustrated.
Unlike your finite mind, your infinite mind is not bound by the rules of
time and space. It has ten thousand states of mind to view and examine
experience through. With the use of your infinite mind you can understand
the clapping of one hand and many other things that would seem
incomprehensible to your finite mind.
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