[MD] MOQ, Beginings and Future: A Tribute

[markhsmit]

I read ZMM when it first came out, in college.
Everybody was talking about it, at least in the
crowd I associated with.  Even a philosophy class
touched on it.  Friends weren't talking about the
philosophy per se, but rather how it applied to their
lives.  It was more emotional than intellectual; each
drew personal meaning.  It was fun and moving.  ZMM
was right for the times.

The 60's permeated the 70's like a hangover.  Lingering
was the sense that something had happened, but like a 
blackout, we weren't quite sure what.  There was still the
attempt to create enlightenment with chemicals, but gone
was the sense that this new consciousness was somehow
more real; it was just an altered state of the same.

All sorts of books were being printed dealing with a
rise in consciousness.  Eastern religions were on the rise,
being interpreted by Western minds.  There was a mixing
of philosophies/religion/science/psychologies, beyond the
drug experience that Aldus Huxley unwittingly mentored.  J.
Campbell's musings were being shown in theaters as a
science fiction trilogy.  Alan Watts had died, possibly from
drinking too often; gurus were popping up and getting rich.

ZMM came in somewhere between The Journey to Ixlan and
the Tao of Physics, a personal odyssey resulting in a spiritual 
experience.  Becoming one with Technology.  When Pirsig had
his Taoist insight, he subsequently tied it (in Lila) to the 19th 
century philosophy of Evolution (yes, it is a philosophy);
 and why not, everything else was being explained
 with the philosophy of evolution, from psychology to
 social behavior to the creation of the universe.  MOQ 
was enclosed into cage of logic.  Now, MOQ is being
brought into the ivory towers where it will become another
jewel on displayin the museum of philosophy.  
We all know that to define Quality is to diminish it.


A book such as ZMM is an amalgamation of the times.  It is a force
beyond the author, who is a conduit for its expression.  It's meaning
and impact does not change if the author changes his mind.  I
admire Pirsig a great deal for what he was able to transcribe
during his awakening.

If indeed MOQ is an expression of Taoism for modern times, what have
we learned?  How has it changes our lives?  What does it enable us to 
see, and thus direct our lives on a day-to-day basis.  For me it has done so
much.  I feel quite fortunate to have been part of the ZMM crown; those
were heady times indeed.  I am indebted to Pirsig for furthering my
pursuit.  Thank you sir.

Willblake2