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Zen philosophy, intuition, illumination and freedom

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Explain the Zen philosophy and the role of intuitions.

The role of intuition in Zen philosophy. This post briefly discusses how Buddha views the role of intuition in acquiring freedom. For Buddha, to acquire freedom, one has to understand the nature of desires. Philosophers like Schopenhauer, Sartre, Scheler, all have similar concepts of the role of desire in human affairs.

True freedom (and happiness) comes from understanding the real nature of human desires.

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The role of intuition in Zen philosophy. This post briefly discusses how Buddha views the role of intuition in acquiring freedom. For Buddha, to acquire freedom, one has to understand the nature of desires. Philosophers like Schopenhauer, Sartre, Scheler, all have similar concepts of the role of desire in human affairs. Depending on one's outlook, it could lead to either optimism or pessimism.

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In a nutshell, Zen is a form of Buddhism and literally means meditation. The aim of the meditation is to bring about a sudden illumination, or enlightenment, in a word, freedom. This meditation is carried out in silence. This silence does not just mean external silence but also inner silence where the one meditating empties himself or herself of all thoughts of desire and inner speech. The meditation is also like acting through non action where one knows that she is just a part of Nature and is therefore in harmony with Her.

This type of meditation brings about intuitive insight, or awareness, using riddles or what is known as koans which the Zen Master gives to his ...

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