--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When there is great doubt,” says a Zen…" description: "\"“When there is great doubt,” says a Zen aphorism that Kusan Sunim kept repeating, “then there is great awakening.” This is the key. The depth of any un..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c7/stephen-batchelor-5328_doubt_when-there-is-great-doubt-says-a-zen-aph_745517.jpg" --- # When there is great doubt,” says a Zen aphorism that Kusan… ![“When there is great doubt,” says a Zen aphorism that Kusan Sunim kept repeating, “then there is great awakening.” This is the key. The depth of any understanding is intimately correlated with the depth of one’s confusion. Great awakening resonates at the same “pitch” as great doubt. So rather than…” quote by Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c7/stephen-batchelor-5328_doubt_when-there-is-great-doubt-says-a-zen-aph_745517.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c7/stephen-batchelor-5328_doubt_when-there-is-great-doubt-says-a-zen-aph_745517.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c7/stephen-batchelor-5328_doubt_when-there-is-great-doubt-says-a-zen-aph_745517.jpg) > ““When there is great doubt,” says a Zen aphorism that Kusan Sunim kept repeating, “then there is great awakening.” This is the key. The depth of any understanding is intimately correlated with the depth of one’s confusion. Great awakening resonates at the same “pitch” as great doubt. So rather than negate such doubt by replacing it with belief, which is the standard religious procedure, Zen encourages you to cultivate that doubt until it “coagulates” into a vivid mass of perplexity.”” [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Deep confusion can be a catalyst for profound insight; embracing doubt allows awakening to emerge. **In simple terms:** Doubt can lead to insight. Key Takeaway Embrace doubt, let it deepen understanding. Themes mindfulness spiritual growth uncertainty awakening Mood contemplative inquisitive Type aphilosophical inspirational When to use this quote - Meditation practice - spiritual counseling - creative problem solving - academic research Key Concepts Zen philosophy cognitive dissonance transformative learning Questions to Reflect On - How can you use uncertainty to foster growth? - What practices help transform doubt into insight? A Different Perspective Doubt may paralyze if not balanced with constructive reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [Great doubt will eventually lead to great awakening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabia-basri/great-doubt-will-eventually-lead-to-great-awakening/) [Rabia Basri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabia-basri/) > [“To pose a question entails that you do not know something. To ask “Who is the abbot?” means that you do not know who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/to-pose-a-question-entails-that-you-do-not-know-something-to-ask-who/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“The only hope I have left for you hangs on a great doubt - the doubt whether we are, or are not, the masters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-collins/the-only-hope-i-have-left-for-you-hangs-on-a-great-doubt-the-doubt/) [Wilkie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-collins/) > [“Great writing requires great doubt and great self-confidence. One without the other inspires mediocrity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-thurlow/great-writing-requires-great-doubt-and-great-self-confidence-one/) [Chloe Thurlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-thurlow/) > [Underlying great doubt there is great satori, where there is thorough questioning there will be thoroughgoing experience of awakening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakuin-ekaku/underlying-great-doubt-there-is-great-satori-where-there-is-thorough/) [Hakuin Ekaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakuin-ekaku/) > [The fact that laws were given to man, both affirmative and negative, supports the principle, that God's knowledge of future events does not change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maimonides/the-fact-that-laws-were-given-to-man-both-affirmative-and-negative/) [Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maimonides/) > [I wanna be great. I'm going to be great. There's no doubt about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-rose/i-wanna-be-great-i-m-going-to-be-great-there-s-no-doubt-about-it/) [Derrick Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-rose/) > [One must have great faith, great doubt, and great determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/one-must-have-great-faith-great-doubt-and-great-determination/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [“So we saunter toward the Holy Land, till one day the sun shall shine more brightly than ever he has done, shall perchance shine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/so-we-saunter-toward-the-holy-land-till-one-day-the-sun-shall-shine/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [A great Awakening has begun. People around the world are opening their eyes to their own spiritual natures. They are beginning to see who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-eadie/a-great-awakening-has-begun-people-around-the-world-are-opening-their/) [Betty Eadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-eadie/) > [“Charles G. Finney, known as “America’s foremost revivalist,” was a major leader of the Second Great Awakening. Finney was a fiery, entertaining, and spontaneous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-himes/charles-g-finney-known-as-america-s-foremost-revivalist-was-a-major/) [Andrew Himes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-himes/) > [At the bottom of great doubt lies great awakening. If you doubt fully, you will awaken fully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakuin-ekaku/at-the-bottom-of-great-doubt-lies-great-awakening-if-you-doubt-fully/) [Hakuin Ekaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakuin-ekaku/) > [“We walked in so pure and bright a light, gilding the withered grass and leaves, so softly and serenely bright, I thought I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-walked-in-so-pure-and-bright-a-light-gilding-the-withered-grass/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We are witnessing a great awakening. Millions of Texans, millions of Americans are rising up to reclaim our country, to defend liberty and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-are-witnessing-a-great-awakening-millions-of-texans-millions-of/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [We need a revival in the country,” Paul said. “We need another Great Awakening with tent revivals of thousands of people saying, 'reform or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-need-a-revival-in-the-country-paul-said-we-need-another-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More by Stephen Batchelor > [“Gotama did for the self what Copernicus did for the earth: he put it in its rightful place, despite its continuing to appear just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/gotama-did-for-the-self-what-copernicus-did-for-the-earth-he-put-it/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“We perceive the world in a particular way and confidently expect it to conform to its appearance. But we fail to recognize that certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/we-perceive-the-world-in-a-particular-way-and-confidently-expect-it/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“Anxiety, alienation, loneliness, emptiness, and meaninglessness are the fruits of living as an isolated subject admist a multitude of lifeless objects. Although our scope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/anxiety-alienation-loneliness-emptiness-and-meaninglessness-are-the/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“... 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The four ennobling truths are not propositions to believe; they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/while-buddhism-suggests-another-belief-system-dharma-practice/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“The inner aim of thought is never fully realized until it ripens into vocal utterances through which others can have access- albeit indirect- to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/the-inner-aim-of-thought-is-never-fully-realized-until-it-ripens-into/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“Our religion, with its beliefs, rituals, and dogmas becomes another segment among all the other segments that constitute our linear and fragmented existence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/our-religion-with-its-beliefs-rituals-and-dogmas-becomes-another/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“For others, however, the significance of anxiety in disclosing a fundamental insight into human existence is grasped. At this point their consciences will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/for-others-however-the-significance-of-anxiety-in-disclosing-a/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [“Wisdom that neglects method leads to excessive introversion and an inability to effectively communicate with others. Method without wisdom can produce well-intentioned but naive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/wisdom-that-neglects-method-leads-to-excessive-introversion-and-an/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [So the Buddha is presenting awakening not as a single mystical experience that may come upon us at some meditation, some private moment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/so-the-buddha-is-presenting-awakening-not-as-a-single-mystical/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) [Explore all 101 Stephen Batchelor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) ## More Doubt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. 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Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/) [Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/) Harry Chapman > [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) [Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When there is great doubt,” says a Zen aphorism that Kusan Sunim kept repeating, “then there is great awakening.” This is the key. The depth of any understanding is intimately correlated with the depth of one’s confusion. 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