satori

[ suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, Zen.

1. sudden enlightenment.

satori

/ səˈtɔːrɪ /

noun

1. Zen Buddhism the state of sudden indescribable intuitive enlightenment

Word History and Origins

Origin of satori¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from Japanese: specific sense of noun satori “comprehension, understanding,” derivative of the verb satori “to awaken”

Word History and Origins

Origin of satori¹

from Japanese

Example Sentences

Just kidding – but truly, Steve's display of satori verges on this level of supernatural.

From Salon

“They don’t know,” he said, shaking his head sadly at how far they were from Jamaican-chicken satori.

From New York Times

Dr. Suzuki says somewhere that to be in a state of pure consciousness—satori—is to be with God before he said, Let there be light.

From Literature

How would judges differentiate between mostly invisible forms of quietly crouching satori?

From The New Yorker

He calls today’s young men and women the satori sedai, or enlightened generation, meaning that Buddha-like, they eschew big aspirations and seek happiness in simple things.

From Economist