Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted August 15, 2009 Administrators Share Posted August 15, 2009 What is the answer or meaning to this ancient Zen riddle? Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted August 15, 2009 Members Share Posted August 15, 2009 People who know, do not know. People who do not know, do not know. There is no wisdom. There is no merit. What is the sound of one hand clapping? This question is a traditional zen koan -- a question posed by a Zen master to a student, to be pondered from within the routine of daily life until the answer opens the true heart of the question. All koans must be answered from within the realm of one's own personal experience, and thus be encountered in the journey of living rather than in the rationalizations of logical thought. Accordingly, each koan has many answers, answers that will vary both in words and in the stirring of one's mind and emotions. Even the wisest Zen teacher cannot tell you your own answer. You must find it for yourself, and not in your mind, and not in the comfort of a rational response. Once experienced, the answer is often a life changing experience, and needs no confirmation from anyone else. What is the sound of one hand clapping? To know, you must experience those aspects of your own life that create this very soundless sound (emotion) within your own being. People who have truly lived with a koan for an extended period of time come to experience the answer. In my own travels down this path with this particular question, there eventually came to be a certain opening of awareness, and a manifestation of the heart of compassion became tangible within. In my experience, the sound of one hand clapping is the emotion of loneliness deeply felt in an increasingly self centered pursuit of enlightenment Experiencing this "answer" turned me away from relative isolation and the self-centered desire to "know," and towards the world and the practice of metta. What is the sound of one hand clapping in your own life? pk Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted August 15, 2009 Members Share Posted August 15, 2009 I googled it dgrimm. pk Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildofChrist Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 My step father had a party record (guess they are called vinyls, now) back in the early 60s and that was one of the questions the comedian asked. Quote Wakan Tanka Kici Un ~~Child of Christ~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olger Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 It is a one-sided argument. g Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Quote: What is the sound of one hand clapping It is impossible to describe, but it woke me up. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil D Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Quote: What is the sound of one hand clapping It is impossible to describe, but it woke me up. Stan, in the context of PK post...YOU need a life.... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.  George Bernard Shaw  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Bravus Posted August 16, 2009 Moderators Share Posted August 16, 2009 Zen inclines us toward humility and modesty in the face of the universe: valuable qualities, IMO. Thanks for that explanation, pkrause, it made a lot of sense to me and resonated with my experience. Still on the path, always on the path... making the path by walking. Quote Truth is important Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted August 16, 2009 Members Share Posted August 16, 2009 Don't give me the credit guys, give credit where credit is due. I just googled it and than copied and pasted what I found. Haven't heard back from Tom what he thinks and why he started this thread? Unless I missed his response. But thanks anyway, even if I didn't think up the answer myself but did take the time to look for it. pk Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted August 16, 2009 Author Administrators Share Posted August 16, 2009 To me the answer is cooperation, teamwork and the value of working together particularly in relationships. Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Oh that is a great answer. My answer would be: futility. The only person who got things done right the first time, was God. Everyone else needs help. Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olger Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Stupendous. g Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Nan Posted August 16, 2009 Moderators Share Posted August 16, 2009 There is a book with this title, written about a dreary life in Tasmania....I did not realise at the time I heard the book (on tape) the origin of the title. Some answers here are profound....especially I liked Amelia's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted August 16, 2009 Members Share Posted August 16, 2009 Good one Tom. pk Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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