Zen koans, is there any point in thinking about them? Or must we just count our breaths and repeat the phrase?

I was asked I think "what is your original face" - and I think it's the way / tao, but that's just something that occurred to me, I wrote down on a computer and it seemed alright.

It's not that I want to be a part of some tradition or church, really. But all I got out of counting breaths was a lot of leg pain, somewhat (but not completely) offset with some nice feelings and lots of stuff like this /&lt;&lt;&lt;^^^^^
That type of koan is called a breakthrough koan. It is meant to lead to a sudden, initial insight that is direct awareness.

I have heard practice of breakthrough koans described as, "becoming one with the koan", which implies concentrating on it like a mantra.

The insight it leads to is beyond concepts. So by becoming one with the koan, in a flash, you will actually experience "Mu"/tao/the way. As opposed to just conceptualizing it.

Wuzu Fayan said, “It is like an Ox that passes through a latticed window. Its head, horns, and four legs all pass through. So, why can’t its tail also pass through?”

The ox, being conceptual thought, has been transcended; "Mu"


  I think it's the way


Don't think. Transcend thinking. That is the way.

edit: Venerable Chong An Sunim explains there are different ways to approach koans. His suggestion is to do regular meditation (e.g., mindfulness of breathing). Sometime later, either while meditating, or just in everyday life, you will have an epiphany in regards to the true meaning of the koan.