[MD] What is SOM?

[MarshaV]

At 03:17 PM 8/31/2008, you wrote:
>Hi Marsha:
>
>Thanks for referring this article:
>
> > http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/resources/mountemptiness.html
>
>First, it was a pleasure to read writing that was easily understood --
>clear, concise and to the point. Second, the article illustrated the
>observation Pirsig made about reality being dependent on what glasses we
>have on:
>
>"Phaedrus remembered reading about an experiment with special glasses that
>made users see everything upside down and backward. Soon their minds
>adjusted and they began to see the world "normally" again. After a few
>weeks, when the glasses were removed, the subjects again saw everything
>upside down and had to relearn the vision they had taken for granted
>before.
>
>"The same is true of subjects and objects. The culture in which we live
>hands us a set of intellectual glasses to interpret experience with, and
>the concept of the primacy of subjects and objects is built right into
>these glasses. If someone sees things through a somewhat different set of
>glasses or, God help him, takes his glasses off, the natural tendency of
>those who still have their glasses on is to regard his statements as
>somewhat weird, if not actually crazy." (Lila, 8)
>
>There are Buddhist glasses, MOQ glasses, SOM glasses and Physics
>glasses to name a few. Thus, Mt. Everest, used in the article to illustrate
>different points of view, can be many things to many people. The amazing
>thing is that we seem to have the ability to switch from one pair of
>glasses to another at will, although some seem to be able to go from one to
>another more readily than others. To go without any glasses at all -- well,
>I guess that's what drugs are for.
>
>Thanks again.
>Platt


Hi Platt,

It was a good essay, wasn't it?  It was a simple explanation.  Yes 
there are lots of glasses, but both the MOQ and Buddhism help you 
understand that you are, indeed, wearing glasses.  They both help you 
navigate to making the best choice in spite of the false orientation.

As far as the drugs go, I'm more afraid of drugs prescribed by 
medical doctors, than by some of substances used in spiritual 
ceremony.  But one should not abuse one's mind either way.

Thanks for replying.

Marsha




> >
> > There are so many ideas within the MOQ that align with
> > Buddhism.  Patterns of value are obviously empty of inherent
> > existence, and so some of these Buddhists explanations have been an
> > aid to my understanding of the MOQ.  And some of the MOQ explanations
> > have been an aid to my understanding of Buddhism.  Maybe this essay
> > will be helpful to some of you.  I thought it was tremendous.
> >
> > Marsha
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .

.
.

Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.........
.
.