[MD] confused

[Squonkonguitar at aol.com]

hey mark,
cheers this did help.

i like your take on  expectations.
is it possible to live without expectations?
 
Mark 25-10-06: Hello Gav.
The thing about expectations is straight from Lila.
I can't take credit for it.
The body 'expects' to eat and breath so maybe we can't live without  
expectations.

Gav:
is it better to see the DQ/sq relationship as a
continuum rather  than a relationship between discrete
entities?
 
Mark 25-10-06: I see it as a continuum.
The continuum is more pronounced at the biological, social and intellectual  
levels.
This tends to through entities out the window.

Gav:
is it good to see social patterns as unconscious
concepts? we  can become conscious of them and 'break
the habit'
 
Mark 25-10-06: I don't think we are aware of allot of our social  patterns.
Some of them are critical otherwise we are labled criminals, so we have to  
be careful.
If you break all your social habits remember which ones keep you out of  gaol 
and perform them anyway.
(This doesn't mean you agree with them.)

Gav:
what does it mean to live in the present? is it a
minimization  of expectations, of static patterns?
 
Mark 25-10-06: I think our culture shifts us from living in the  present.
There are many constructed social appearences; much acting and  pretending.
I think you can 'be' in the present throughout all this when you see it for  
what it is.
Then you become a stranger in your own land.

Gav:
do static patterns exist in the present?
 
Mark 25-10-06: No.
 
Gav:
if they do, do they exist as a sort of lens through which the
present is  experienced?
 
Mark 25-10-06: Yes - this removes us in varying degrees from the  present.
 
Gav:
this lens being the result of culture, biology and physical patterns
 
Mark 25-10-06: Very much so.

Gav:
is the goal of meditation to clean and reduce this
'lens' as  much as possible? to keep them quiet?
 
Mark 25-10-06: Yes.

Gav:
does less static = more dynamic?
 
Mark 25-10-06:
I'm not convinced static and Dynamic are the only options. I don't find  them 
satisfactory.
Choatic behaviour is neither static nor Dynamic for example.
I think many of us have experienced chaotic behaviour?

Gav:
how does the Tao fit in? what is the Tao in MoQ terms.
is it DQ?  is it living in the present? is it a
particular relationship between DQ and  sq?
 
Mark 25-10-06:
I have come to regard the written Tao or the way as a relationship between  
sq and sq which allows DQ to shine through.
The 'shine' metaphor is used by Pirsig in Lila. Shine smacks of that lense  
you mentioned.
The unwritten Tao looks like DQ to me.

okay enough questions for  now.

love and kisses
g
 
Mark 25-10-06:
Hugs.
Mark