the sound of one hand clapping

Zen Koan

When I could not put my pen on paper about this one I decided to do a little research about it and find out what other people have to say about the sound of one hand clapping. from all the reading I did (about the Zen Koan) I had a wonderful experience of spiritual growth. 

“Normally, we are so preoccupied with the events in our life that we leave little space to explore our inner world. We try to solve problems with our rational mind and only once in a while stumble upon a clarity that seems to come from a level of understanding different from and beyond our normal thinking. In traditional Zen, a disciple is given a Koan, a riddle that cannot be solved by the rational mind. ‘What is the sound of one hand clapping?’ After many attempts, the disciple experiences the answer as a clear reflection of the truth: and with it comes a realization that all answers come from within oneself”. (The Zero Experience: Zen Koans)

In my understanding the sound of one hand clapping could be you ability to enjoy the company you keep with yourself and Its about being able to look for your own answers “you must find it 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. (Zen Koans)