POEM: Sound of One Hand Clapping

What is the sound of one hand clapping?
For many, it is a slap of the forehead in exasperation
For some, it is a slap in the face of the asker
Could someone lend a hand on this one
Without doubling the trouble?

This poem is based on the infamous koan.  A koan, such as “what is the sound of one hand clapping,” is a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Buddhists to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive .  I am inspired by koans because they help free us from convergent thinking, the belief that there is a single best answer to any question.  Perceiving requires holding within our .  A well-lived requires and that is dynamic and always in flux.  This flux and movement is well captured by the question: which is more important, breathing in or breathing out?  The answer: It depends on what you have done last.  May you find in your .  Surf the paradox!

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