[MD] sideways drifting

[Gene M]

Dan Wrote:

I'm not sure I'd say that the ideas are identical except to say they are
> ideas, the point being that some ideas have higher value than others
> according to who is doing the valuing. We all suffer from a cultural
> blindspot in that we've learned how to view the world within the culture
> we
> belong - take the "Cleveland harbor" effect Robert Pirsig describes in
> LILA.
> We're so convinced that we know all about the world that we miss all the
> little signs pointing out that we don't have even the slightest notion.
>
> I would say that the MOQ is as much illusion as the SOM, only the MOQ
> allows
> for a more expanded point of view. Both the MOQ and SOM are ideas but they
> are not identical. A Western scientist might never question whether the
> reality being studied is really there or not, and the same could perhaps
> be
> said of a Eastern monk. That's where the MOQ comes in with its
> conflict-erasing preconization. Would you agree?



I just re-read what I wrote, and I can't think anymore why I wrote it in
such a confusing manner. All I was really trying to say is that "Out There"
and "In Here" are the same thing. The more we understand the world around
us, the more we understand of ourselves. I think that's a big part of ZMM.
Quality isn't something out there floating around, it's in us too. We need
to act with Quality to experience Quality.
The distinction between a Reality outside us and one inside is artificial
and inconvenient. I think that's the point of the MOQ, to remove the
barriers between Me and It. It's all Me, and You, and That. Everything is
together. That was the truth that drove Phaedrus mad in the end I think.

And I definately agree that MOQ is just as much illusion as SOM. Pirsig
tells us so, neither is Correct. They're simply either convenient or
not-convenient depending on the circumstances. I'm sure there are times when
SOM would make things easier, and times when MOQ makes understanding things
easier. They're all just overlays for actual Reality.

-Gene