Presented as either a riddle or tale, the koan is instrumental to the Zen student's path to enlightenment; by opening and freeing the mind from both outer and inner restrictions, the "empty mind" of the Zen student is more open to insight and realization that could be achieved in no other way. As artists, we, too, need the benefit of an "empty mind." Our own creative insights and realizations become more tangible and workable when we clear away the clutter of fear, negativity, apathy, and all other potentially destructive restrictions that we may have learned in our lives. KOAN KREATIVITY is a book that seeks to combine the ancient teachings of Zen masters with other creative insights to aid us in our artistic and creative endeavors.