Zen is based on the recognition of two incompatible types of thought: rational and intuitive.

Zen is the enemy of analysis, the friend of intuition. The Zen artist understands the ends of his art intuitively, and the last thing he would do is create categories the avowed purpose of Zen is to eliminate categories! The true Zen-man holds to the old Taoist proverb, Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.

Zen culture invites us to experience reality without the intervening distractions of intellect, categories, analysis.