3 Koans to Sit With This Week

Koans are short, paradoxical stories or questions from Zen tradition. They are not riddles to be solved, but doorways to insight—meant to break through logical thinking and reveal deeper awareness. If you want to refresh your practice, here are 3 koans to sit with this week.

1. Joshu’s “Mu”

A monk once asked Master Joshu, “Does a dog have Buddha-nature?” Joshu replied simply: “Mu” (No/Not).
At first, this seems like a contradiction, since Buddhist teaching says all beings have Buddha-nature. But this koan is not about yes or no—it is an invitation to experience the space beyond dualistic thinking. In psychology, this is linked to cognitive flexibility: the ability to move beyond rigid categories.

2. The Sound of One Hand

Perhaps the most famous koan: “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”
This koan disrupts the ordinary way we define sound. It asks us to encounter reality directly, without relying on conventional answers. In modern terms, it trains paradox thinking, helping us stay calm and open when faced with uncertainty in work or relationships.

3. Nansen Cuts the Cat

In this koan, monks were quarreling over a cat. Master Nansen held it up and said: “If any of you can say a true word, you will save the cat.” When no one spoke, he cut the cat in two. Later, Joshu placed his sandals on his head and walked away.
The koan shocks us out of comfort. It is not about cruelty, but about how attachment blinds us. Today, sitting with this koan strengthens uncertainty tolerance—a skill increasingly vital in a world of rapid change and conflicting opinions.

How to Sit With Koans

To work with koans, don’t try to “solve” them. Instead, bring them into your zazen. Breathe, repeat the koan silently, and let it echo in your awareness. Over time, the koan works on you, opening unexpected insights.

Why Koans Matter Today

Far from being ancient puzzles, koans are powerful tools for mindfulness training. They sharpen attention, reveal hidden assumptions, and encourage a fresh way of seeing. By sitting with koans this week, you train not just the mind, but the heart.

🌿 For more Zen teachings and practical guidance, visit ZEN for LIFE and explore how timeless koans can illuminate modern living.