From: pauljturner@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu Apr 17 2003 - 12:25:28 BST
Hello to all
This is my first post to this forum, and I am
sensitive to the probable response the post will
evoke. Please accept the post as my perception.
I perceive a fundamental contradiction in the approach
to quality being taken on this forum. My first
assertion in support of this perception is that,
ultimately, metaphysics cannot lead to a creative
insight [quality]. A creative insight occurs in the
absence of static intellectual quality [metaphysics]
A metaphysics is static intellectual quality [a
pattern of thought]
SOM is static intellectual quality [a pattern of
thought]
MoQ is static intellectual quality [a pattern of
thought]
In writing Lila, I believe Pirsig has succumbed to the
overwhelming tendency of the human mind to follow
patterns of thought. If you want to experience this
tendency try sitting still and thinking of nothing. In
writing Lila, I believe Pirsig has produced a book of
remarkable static quality. That it was produced as a
result of a creative insight (the one described in
ZMM) is evident. The book evidently has the ability to
challenge our patterns of thought. I believe that it
is after reading a book like Lila that we have a
tremendous opportunity, in that we are instilled with
a doubt. We doubt our deeply held beliefs and
understanding about reality, sometimes the doubt can
fade as we continue our daily routines and slip back
into familiar patterns of thought – but sometimes, the
doubt is too deep and pervasive to fade and so we find
ourselves slightly adrift from the familiar patterns
of thought.
I trust many of you are familiar with what I am
describing but it is the period following this
existential drift that I am bringing attention to
right now. By being on this forum, I believe most of
you (and myself) followed a similar path – you sought
new patterns, specifically, the MoQ and similar
patterns.
It appears to me that what we are trying to do is
replace static intellectual quality with static
intellectual quality. Some of us on this forum may be
struggling with this activity and as such we are
experiencing confusion between two conflicting
patterns of thought. Some of us may have achieved the
replacement and will be now be following a different
pattern of thought. This is comparable to thinking in
terms of the theory of relativity instead of classical
physics. This is the contradiction that I perceive in
the approach that is being taken amongst this forum’s
members. The momentary vacation from static patterns
has long finished and has been followed by
enthusiastic static latching. We have a new model now,
doubt has surrendered, everything is better now.
The tendency is then to test our new model against
events, statements, feelings and in fact, everything
and anything. It is implied that we have the best
model available to categorise the whole of our
experience in terms of Quality.
I believe the existential drift is where ceaselessly
unfolding Quality is experienced, not in a
metaphysics.
I am therefore suggesting that an alternative approach
is to focus effort on trying to perceive the
difference in operation between a mind that is
following a pattern of thought and a mind completely
absorbed in moment to moment awareness of the
unfolding of Quality. By doing this we may begin to
recognise when the movement of our own minds is the
unfolding of Quality and when it is following familiar
patterns of thought. When the former occurs, I feel
you are no longer thinking about Quality, Quality is
thinking about you. When Quality is thinking, Quality
is acting, Quality is fixing motorcycles.
I have a little more to say on this matter, but in the
aesthetic of ‘less is more’ I’ll await responses from
the members of the forum, if any.
Thanks
Paul
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