epiphany and satori

[Herb Stahlke]

Ash Wednesday is just a week off.  The question will shortly be moot.

Herb


On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 5:52 PM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM>
> Subject:      epiphany and satori
>
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>
> Like satori, I use the word "epiphany" to mean a sudden enlightenment =
> that feels awesome.
>
> Wiktionary nails it for me (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/epiphany): "An =
> illuminating realization or discovery, often resulting in a personal =
> feeling of elation, awe, or wonder."
>
> The AHD seems too restrictive: "A comprehension or perception of reality =
> by means of a sudden intuitive realization." I don't see why reality has =
> to be involved per se.
>
> The OED simply needs updating.
>
> The ADS list has a large number of uses, which seem to agree with the =
> AHD. The oldest is 1999 by Natalie Maynor =
> (
> http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=3DADS-L;Xgp47A;19990622183=
> 6550500D): "Yes -- even though my epiphany didn't come until after =
> finishing three 100% lit degrees."=20
>
> -----
>
> As to satori, all three dictionaries seem too restrictive as they all =
> designate it as a Zen term even though examples provided in Wiktionary =
> and the OED demonstrate that it's not. The AHD doesn't have citations, =
> but it also has the claim that satori "often comes suddenly." Is it ever =
> the case that satori is an extended process?
>
> Two examples from the ADS further demonstrate that satori is not limited =
> to Zen:
>
> =
> http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=3DADS-L;5%2F8w5g;2005082118=
> 45450400C (cited by Ben Zimmer): "Finally, he ends up dexed-up and =
> pissed out of his brain on a rock off Brighton Beach where he achieves =
> some kind of satori and reconciliation with himself."
>
> =
> http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=3DADS-L;iUb2Gw;200109230418=
> 560500D (by Mike Salovesh): "Once in a while, when the cultural wind is =
> in the right direction, an occasional gringo achieves a Zen satori in =
> these matters."=20
>
> Zen is clearly not in play in these sentences, except perhaps in the =
> loosest English sense.
>
> Benjamin Barrett
> Seattle, WA
>
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