Hi,

Anyone have any thought on that famous old Zen koan, "what is the sound of one hand clapping?" One hand can't clap because clapping takes two. I could try swishing one hand in the air and hear nothing but one hand swishing is just an intention. And the intention is not truly clapping because clapping is a response usually in approval to a context often a performance. So one hand swishing the air is inauthentic and not really a clap. That used to be my answer. It would be a goofy answer- -just do it rather than try to explain it- -which to me seems like Zennish thinking. But, that could be monkey mind just as easy- -a way to avoid the realization. And what is this realization? A concept- -dichotomy- -interdependence- -in reference to the Dhali Lhama. So, the purpose of the koan would be to point to the concept of interdependence in order to make you realize that in as much you think you are alone, you are never alone. And when you die- -that's likely when you will feel the most alone- -because no one can help you then. And then you remember, "what is the sound of one hand clapping?"