expression
spiritual enlightenment only comes through personal experience
A Buddhist yojijukugo meaning that true understanding, especially spiritual awakening, cannot be conveyed by words alone; one must experience it directly.
禅の教えは冷暖自知で、言葉では伝えきれない。
Zen teachings are a matter of personal realization; words cannot fully convey them.
From Buddhist terminology; the literal meaning is 'cold and warm, one knows for oneself', emphasizing direct personal experience.