[MD] a view

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Marsha]
I think it is a verse written for the individual.  I think many 
social patterns should dissolve.  I interpret the word 'sustain' to 
means 'to keep from giving way', so I  translate the first 2 lines 
as:  While not letting the biological and social levels collapse, let 
intellectual patterns dissolve' and morality will be 
served.   Hopefully, this answers the remaining questions too.

[Arlo]
I guess my question remains why social patterns should not be 
dissolved as well? If I use your words here, I'd offer something like 
this instead.

While sustaining just enough biological patterns to preserve your life
Dissolve all intellectual and social patterns.
Dissolve them completely
And then follow Dynamic Quality
And morality will be served.

The first line I can see, because dying while meditating or taking 
peyote will likely do you no good.

But the second line I'd propose makes more sense (considering, again, 
Pirsig's view on the morality of the hippie movement), if we say that 
in that drive to get to the Zero-Point, we let all static patterns 
that may effect our ability to see "something new" pass away. Social 
patterns like religion must be left go off as well, as should social 
roles like what it means to be a mother or uncle. All preconceived 
notions (patterns) that effect our "vision" should be left to 
dissolve away (I do like that metaphor).

And, like I mentioned, it makes this statement true for all people, 
not just those with "relaxed" social codes.

The next question would be, "And then what?" What do we do when we 
come out of the Zero-Point, after we've been effected by some Dynamic 
insight? I'd submit we re-construct our social and intellectual 
patterns accordingly. "Killing" them may take us to that moment of 
Zen, but its what we do with enlightenment coming back that makes it 
count. IMHO.