From: Elizaphanian (Elizaphanian@members.v21.co.uk)
Date: Sat Oct 19 2002 - 11:31:50 BST
Hello Peter,
Interesting questions. I like the parallel with the work of the cell, but
that seems to describe only the social level, and the role of thinkers in
the Giant.
Perhaps I should indicate a little of what's behind my assertion (speaking
very loosely, and without wishing to prejudice something for John B). Much
mystical teaching focusses on the deconstruction of individual identity -
detachment from desires (presumably biological level?) and then detachment
from social roles, and then detachment from self and ego (although how far
the ego can be defined as a purely social level product is something that
I'm mulling over at the moment). Seems to be a system for working through
the levels in order to 'cleanse the doors of perception' prior to an
awareness of DQ.
Now some traditions say that individuality is lost (a drop of water in an
ocean) some say it isn't (eg Christian resurrection). In either case,
they're pretty unanimous that what is going on is not at root an
*intellectual* process. You seem to be arguing that individuality doesn't
function at the intellectual level; I think that is the logical consequence
of Pirsig's descriptions, so you're in good company.
The question is perhaps whether there is a self which is higher than the
social self, yet less than the Self to which the mystics aim. I would argue
that there is, and that it is that self which is the true vehicle of the
fourth level (within which the intellectual self plays an important part)
Sam
www.elizaphanian.v-2-1.net/home.html
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