Kenshō

Kenshō is a fundamental concept in Zen Buddhism, referring to a sudden, direct insight into one’s true nature. Unlike gradual enlightenment, kenshō is an initial glimpse of reality as it truly is—beyond ego, illusion, and conceptual thought. The term combines ken (seeing) and shō (nature or essence), emphasizing an experiential awakening rather than an intellectual understanding. Though often spontaneous, kenshō is typically cultivated through meditation (zazen), koans, and disciplined practice. While it is not full enlightenment (satori), it marks a profound shift in perception, revealing the interconnectedness of all things and the impermanent, empty nature of the self.