--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thing about Zen is that it pushes…" description: "\"The thing about Zen is that it pushes contradictions to their ultimate limit where one has to choose between madness and innocence. And Zen. suggests t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a87/thomas-merton-231_be-good_the-thing-about-zen-is-that-it-pushes-co_1531545.jpg" --- # The thing about Zen is that it pushes contradictions to… ![“The thing about Zen is that it pushes contradictions to their ultimate limit where one has to choose between madness and innocence. And Zen. suggests that we may be driving toward one or the other on a cosmic scale. Driving toward them because, one way or the other, as madmen or innocents, we are…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a87/thomas-merton-231_be-good_the-thing-about-zen-is-that-it-pushes-co_1531545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a87/thomas-merton-231_be-good_the-thing-about-zen-is-that-it-pushes-co_1531545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a87/thomas-merton-231_be-good_the-thing-about-zen-is-that-it-pushes-co_1531545.jpg) > “The thing about Zen is that it pushes contradictions to their ultimate limit where one has to choose between madness and innocence. And Zen. suggests that we may be driving toward one or the other on a cosmic scale. Driving toward them because, one way or the other, as madmen or innocents, we are already there. It might be good to open our eyes and see.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Zen highlights extreme paradoxes, forcing a choice between chaotic madness and pure innocence, suggesting humanity already inhabits one of these states on a cosmic level. **In simple terms:** Zen forces a choice between chaos and purity. Key Takeaway Recognize which state you embody. Themes paradox spirituality human nature Mood contemplative introspective Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - mindfulness practice - spiritual crisis - creative decision making Key Concepts Zen Buddhism existential duality cosmic perspective Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel more mad or innocent? - How does recognizing this paradox affect your actions? A Different Perspective Zen may oversimplify complex mental states. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contradiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradiction/) [Driving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driving/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Madmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madmen/) [Madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madness/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Open Our Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-our-eyes/) ## Related quotes > [It might be good to open our eyes and see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-might-be-good-to-open-our-eyes-and-see/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“We go from one darkness to another and in between, the hidden light of the world, of knowledge. 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