Words & Understanding

[dhamma_newb]

Can you understand something without being able to express it in words? If you can't express it in words, does this mean that you don't have a good or clear understanding of it?

I notice when I meditate I reflect on or contemplate many things which seem to have importance on the Path, and it seems like certain things click in my mind, like puzzle pieces coming together and parts of the bigger picture becoming clearer, but when I try to put these understandings into words I find I have a hard time doing it.

Is there any mention of this in the Buddha's teachings?

I hope this post makes some kind of sense.


Don

[Alex123]

The orthodox view is that pacceka Buddha has realized Buddhahood but cannot teach Dhamma (beyond simple ethics) to others. Also, Arahant Assaji couldn't teach much Dhamma to Ven. Sariputta.

So it is not required to be a talented teacher in order to achieve awakening.

[thaijeppe]

Hello

Why do you want to put it into words?

From what I get from your post, you understand it, but are unable to put words on the experince, that is fine, the important thing is for
you to understand it.

Many times if we try to put words on our experinces, especially meditation experinces, we only come up with something far from the
real experince anyway.

[dhamma_newb]

Thank you both for your replies!

With Metta,
Don

[Ben]

Don,
Relax, my friend!
with metta

Ben

[dhamma_newb]

Don,
Relax, my friend!
with metta

Ben

Lol!