Definition

A paradoxical Zen Buddhist riddle or story weaponized to short-circuit your logical brain and trigger spiritual enlightenment—because apparently making sense is the enemy of understanding. Think of it as organized philosophical chaos designed to yeet your rational mind into satori (that transcendent aha moment). 'What is the sound of one hand clapping?' There is no answer, and that frustration is exactly where enlightenment hides.

Example Usage

The student struggled to intellectually solve the koan until realizing that the point was to stop thinking about it.

Source: Merriam-Webster via Free Dictionary API, Zen Buddhism terminology

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