The Phenomenology of Koan Meditation in Zen Buddhism
Journal of Phenomenological Psychology January 1, 2008 Jerry Grenard 12 citations
The experience of working with Zen koans—statements or stories used to transform conscious awareness—follows a structured pattern. Eight Zen students from Southern California, with 1 to 30 years of practice, described their koan practice in interviews. Analysis revealed six thematic clusters: motivation, approaches to working with koans, experiences during practice, moments of insight, the role of a teacher, and personal transformation. Participants reported positive changes such as improved emotional control and concentration, heightened awareness of prejudices and biases with the ability to suppress habitual associations, and a new acceptance of spiritual questions and doubts.