This is a strong subject, and I am strongly opposed to physical abuse when raising a child, but let's put that aside for this examination:
I'm toying with the idea that zen enlightenment is similar to a parent hitting its child, or abuse in general.
Maybe it's not such a coincidence that a lot of zen patriarchs were so violent and abusive toward their students.
Also, it has shown that physical abuse does alter the mind patterns of the recipients. Typically it replaces explanations with violence, causing un-enlightement, but doesn't every blow invoke zen? …as in "stop thinking"?
Contrary to causing un-enlightement, the patriarchs often caused enlightenment through violence.
Maybe it's a matter of skill and precision: Knowing when to hit?
Can you "hit away" unenlightened thoughts?