Platt and squad,
Hi Platt. Good to hear from you again. I have been following yours and
others postings lately and I think the differences between us have
mostly to do with our concepts of Mysticism. My concept of the MoQ holds
that no mysticism exists after the initial organization at the time of the
big bang. What we now consider mysticism is the result of the increasing
complexity of the universe that prevents us from logically following chains
of cause and effect because of that complexity. I hold that there is a
logical chain of progression from the time of the big bang and the initial
forming of the 75 percent Hydrogen, 25 percent Helium to the present even
though the universe has become so complex that our finite minds are unable
to piece the whole story together. In my view the energy of the big bang
supplied the "Moral Force" which drives the universe and the initial 75-25
H-He
composition supplied the basic organization and direction which resulted
from that
drive. The reason that the universe looks good and moral to us is that we
have been produced by that "Moral Force" and "Basic Organization" and we
fit seamlessly and reasonably comfortably into that framework. I do not
feel comfortable with a mystic universe which is not susceptible to
predictability.
The universe is our home and I want it to be predictable and capable of
being understood even though we may never be able to do that completely.
What I am suggesting is that what we are calling mysticism is an
inability to grasp the complexity of our particular situation. To my mind
anything
that we cannot explain is called mysticism by most of the members. It is my
position that our situation logically follows from the energy of the big
bang driving the initial organization of the universe and follows a logical
sequence of events. The fact that many of these logical sequences ended in
a dead end makes no difference, we are still the result of what was
possible. If you wish to call mysticism anything that we do not, or or not
capable of, currently understanding then I can go along with that sort of
mysticism.
With regard to Dynamic Quality it is my understanding that the
pre-awareness DQ that operated before life appeared, and still acts, was
carried forward by the increasing possibilities that were made available
due to the increasing organization and complexity of the universe. In my
view we are the logical culmination of the possibilities generated by the
operation of DQ on the original establishment of the H-He matter and its
increasing complexity.
With regard to the post-awareness DQ (human DQ) we are in exactly the
same situation except that now our static human contribution to the ongoing
operation of DQ is modified by the impact that our human consciousness has
on the overall input to that Dynamic Quality. Pre-awareness life also
modified the operation of DQ.
Everything that happens below the level of conscious awareness is grist for
the mill of DQ and results in a new level of static awareness (quality). As
I interpret Pirsig, he sees the operation of DQ and sq to be different for
each human. This is where he comes up with his "many truths". He sees the
total subliminal experience of each individual as being different and at
many different levels. My interpretation of his DQ is that it will generate
a continual spiritual migration of each individual toward the "good"
although at different levels depending on the "advancement" of the
individual.
The Dynamic Quality that is influencing us now is the same DQ that came
into being at the time of the "Big Bang". Pirsig treats this problem in
chapter 12 where he says, "To the extent that one's behavior is controlled
by static patterns of quality it is without choice. But, to the extent that
one follows Dynamic Quality, which is undefinable (below the level of
awareness-my words) one's behavior is free. This says to me that within the
confines of static quality there is no mysticism. Our behavior is without
choice.
I have carried on so long here that I am begining to lose my train of
thought. If this sparks any argument I will try to carry on. Ken
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