[MD] extricating MOQ from SOM

[Case]

[SA]
Case this is exactly why Zen works perfectly with the MoQ.  Everyday life is
mystical.  

[Case]
It is my understanding that Zen is a Japanese synthesis of Buddhism and
Taoism, or the introduction of mysticism into Chinese metaphysics. I
personally just stick with the Taoist metaphysics. Having said that I very
much like Zen koans and the Zen masters' efforts to cause a Gestalt shift in
their students. As for meditation and other Zen practices... they are ok
just not my cup of tea. But then neither am I a fan of the Taoist master's
practice of drinking their urine and withholding semen in their pursuit for
immortality.

[SA]
This is why Amerindian mysticism works perfectly, maybe even more so than
Zen, for the Amerindian notices mysticism, notices quality, as you put it in
subjects and objects so much so, that a hunter needing food, will kill,
thank the animal, put back something of the animal in a way that gives back,
as the gift cycle must continue, and yet, this also might be looked at as
pure survival.  

[Case]
I think Pirsig does a good job of highlighting the influence of native
peoples on Americans. Their recognition of the kinship of all life and our
dependence on nature is sorely missing in modern life. The consequences of
our ignoring this are becoming increasingly severe.

I would also note that North American natives were a prehistoric people and
looking at the variety of social systems employed on this continent provides
a rich insight into how our ancestors lived from the dawn of time. It is
hard to look at native culture and say that these people had different
thinking processes or were irrational or any of the strange things often
said about them. One of the strong points of Pirsig's work is his
recognition of the important contributions they have made to the modern
world. One can only hope that with recognition will come a wider acceptance
of their perspective. But I am often given to wishful thinking.