Amount Quote by Alan Watts
“Essentially Satori is a sudden experience, and it is often described as a "turning over" of the mind, just as a pair of scales will suddenly turn over when a sufficient amount of material has been poured into one pan to overbalance the weight in the other. Hence it is an experience which generally occurs after a long and concentrated effort to discover the meaning of Zen.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Zen and the Art of Satori, 1970s (audio)
Satori is a sudden awakening that follows intense, sustained effort, like a scale tipping when weight finally overbalances.
In simple terms: A breakthrough insight after long practice.
Key Takeaway
Persist in practice; be open to sudden insight.
Themes
mindfulness
awakening
effort
balance
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- creative problem solving
- academic research
- personal development
- teaching
Key Concepts
Zen Buddhism
psychology
spiritual growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “turning over” mean in your own growth?
- How can you balance effort and patience?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify the subtle, ongoing nature of Zen practice.
