If it is hidden, it is the Flower, if it is not hidden, it is not the Flower.

This is part of the series called “not enough posts at launch”.

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The phrase “If it is hidden, it is the Flower, if it is not hidden, it is not the Flower” is a fascinating Zen koan, a form of spiritual riddle designed to provoke deep contemplation and challenge conventional thinking. Here’s my interpretation:

1. The Nature of Perception: This koan may be pointing to the idea that the true essence or beauty of something (the “Flower”) is not always visible to the superficial eye. It suggests that deeper understanding or enlightenment (the “Flower”) lies beyond what is immediately apparent or easily accessible.

2. The Value of the Hidden: By stating that the “Flower” is only so when hidden, the koan could be emphasizing the value of things that are not immediately obvious or visible. It might imply that true knowledge or beauty is not in the obvious or superficial, but in what is discovered through deeper exploration and understanding.

3. The Paradox of Discovery: There’s an inherent paradox here, as the act of discovering or uncovering the “Flower” would, by this definition, cease to make it the “Flower”. This could suggest that the most profound truths or insights are those that remain perpetually beyond our full comprehension, always inviting deeper inquiry.

4. Encouraging Mindfulness and Exploration: This koan encourages a mindful approach to life and understanding. It suggests that one should look beyond the surface and explore the deeper, hidden aspects of life, nature, and self to find true meaning.

5. Reflection on the Elusive Nature of Truth: Finally, the koan might be reflecting on the elusive nature of truth or reality itself, which cannot be fully grasped or understood in a conventional sense. It implies that true understanding is a dynamic and ongoing process, rather than a static state of being.

Overall, like all koans, its purpose is to jolt the mind out of its usual patterns of thought, prompting a deeper, more experiential form of understanding that transcends rational analysis.

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