Tathata means ‘Suchness’, or ‘as-is-ness of the moment’. When I first came across this word ‘Suchness’ in Zen literature, I thought, ‘What the heck is Suchness? Suchness! That’s nonsense! Can’t figure that one out.’ If we hold perceptions to be reality, then in order for our world to be real, we have to perceive it as something. It can’t be just what it is. We have to interpret it, or give it a name, or describe it in some way. We perceive the world through words, through ideas. This obsession with cameras and photography now, is just wanting to capture things, capture moments on film, petrify them in time, and make them fixed because everything is moving and changing. But Suchness, or Tathata, the Tathagata, is right now. This is the way it is. But sometimes, when I say, ‘This is the way it is,’ somebody will say, ‘You mean this is the way it is forever?’ No! RIGHT NOW — this is the way it is. The only way it can be is the way it is right now! It’s changing, but at this moment, the Suchness of this moment, is just this way. The thinking mind has to stop. Otherwise you will want to ask, ‘Where is it? What is he saying?’ You just have to stop your mind and listen, or watch. Then you will be relating to Suchness, the Suchness of the moment, the as-is-ness.
Ajahn Sumedho
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Buddhism now 
seems like we are given two characteristics for suchness here. The first is that suchness is the world sans out interpretation of it, without the filter of our perspective. The second is it is this filter free moment detached from the past and the future – existing only in the present.
I believe I experience this often when I am in nature though perhaps all I am really experiencing is my mind quieted for that time.
One of my favorite books is Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. I believe in Chapter 20 he gives a description of suchness from the character Stein. Marveling at a butterfly in his collection he says “This is Nature — the balance of colossal forces. Every star is so — and every blade of grass stands so — and the mighty Kosmos in perfect equilibrium produces — this. That partial sentence – every blade of grass stands so comes back to me time and time again. Each moment is just so.
This old saying might help Tom.
*Those who cover Buddha with concepts, will never see Buddha*
Good luck,
R
Already reading about this in the Ajahns book “Don’t take your life personally”. Practicing awareness and living in the moment.
It’s a great book.
Glad you’re enjoying the book Peter.
R
I do love this word! You have described it perfectly and have given us wonderful insight into applying into our lives. Thankyou, I needed to be reminded of this word today.