To Horse, Bob Wallace, Jeff & Joyce Phillips, Carmen, and anyone else,
I'm probably breaking the rules by not commenting upon the latest
subject on the table, but I was so excited that I had to share with you some
news I recently received.
A while ago, I had written the group about a "mystical" event which I
experienced when I first read ZMM, some twenty years ago, and a few of you
were nice enough to respond.
Well, I had also sent a more personal letter, thanks to Horse, to Robert
Pirsig about that event, in much more detail. Today, I was stunned to find in
my mail, along with my allotment of bills and junk mail, a personal letter
back from Mr. Pirsig, responding to my letter! I couldn't believe it.
I don't think he would mind (at least I hope he wouldn't) me sharing a
bit of what he had to say about my experience with you.
Mr. Pirsig writes,
"Making people laugh sympathetically about other people's disabilities
is an enormous accomplishment.
The fact that you are doing so well at it indicates that the phenomena
that you experienced back in your 'insane' days may have been a kind of an
enlightenment as well as an insanity. The two tend to overlap.
...Prior to enlightenment there is often a huge opening of the mind to
the 'mythos' which in this case means more than just legends. It means the
main stream, the whole body of every idea that ever existed or can exist
which each culture selects from, calling its own selection 'reality.' At
this time there is an abandonment of normal chanels of cultural selectivity
over thought. The selection goes sort of crazy and you can think of any damn
thing and think it is real and in a sense it is. When you start wandering in
this mythos all rules are off and so you can pick up on strange things. I
think your mind wanderings about me and the ideas in ZMM and Lila probably
had less to do with me personally than with this phenomenom.
...Just before entering the University of Chicago... I experienced a
similar pickup on the film 'Orpheus' by Jean Cocteau. I lived inside that
film and it had the same sort of effect on me that my book seems to have had
on you.
...I'm certainly proud that ZMM has had a similar fuction for you and
that you are a part of the crowd of people working to diminish the misery of
the world rather than add to it or just ignore it. As I'm sure you know,
it's not as easy as it may look."
I didn't print the entire letter, but I just couldn't beleive that he
would actually take the time to read my letter, not to mention answer it! I
surely thought that he gets so much fan mail that he would consider my
letter, if he even were to ever read it, as coming from some crack pot or
nut, and totally disregard it. But the care with which he showed in
responding (and promptly too!) demonstrated to me the kind of warm and
understanding soul this man is. I sort of already knew that from his
writings, but on a personal level, this just served to convince me even more.
I pray that I am not breaking any confidences by sharing his letter to
me with you, but I felt that if he knew you the way I've gotten to know you,
through your correspondences, and how much the Metaphysics of Quality meant
to you, he wouldn't mind. Also the fact that we're probably his biggest fans
and supporters, I think he would have given his approval whole heartedly. I
hope so! I couldn't think of anyone more appropriate to share this with than
you people.
Anyway, I can't tell you what a thrill it was to personally receive a
letter from a man whom I've revered, and even idolized, for most of my life.
I think I'll frame it. I have never been one to be "star struck" in my entire
life. In my career, I've met so many celebrities like Sam Kinison, Jim Carey,
Rossanne, Dice, Soupy, Martin Lawrence, etc., etc., and was never really
excited or in awe of any of them. But this time I am, and from just a letter!
To me, it's like getting a postcard from Einstein.
I thought you guys might enjoy it too.
Fred
(I'd still be interested in any of your input or opinions about my "mystical"
experience. It's something that's important to me. Feel free, also if you
prefer, to e-mail me directly at DaPhred @ AOL)
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