[MD] Language as trance

[Platt Holden]

Hi Mark,

On Sat, Nov 20, 2010 at 1:01 PM, 118 <ununoctiums at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Platt,
> >
>
> [Platt previously]
>
> > As I've said, so long as the meaning of the word "morality" is confined
> to
> > ideas of interpersonal relations -- to how we treat one another -- the
> MOQ
> > cannot gain the wide acceptance it seeks. The term "morals" seems
> > to erect a wall the MOQ is almost helpless to overcome except for we
> lucky
> > few who challenge not only "Conventional Reality" but also
> > conventional thought.
> >
> > Perhaps instead of "Inquiry into Morality," the book in which the
> > MOQ is laid out might have better been subtitled, "An Inquiry Into Why
> > the Universe Got Better After the Big Bang."
> >
>
> [Mark]
> I would agree that morality is a tricky one and fraught with baggage.
>  Often
> it is used in coercive ways, to get people to do what one wants them to do.
>  My interpretation of the subtitle was simply to open up the discussion.
>  It
> is an inquiry after all.  Quality can be used as a path to put human
> morality into perspective or into context.  Human morality can be seen as
> part of a larger expression or progression.  The rate of such progression
> could be considered in a larger time frame than what we should do tomorrow.
>  Quality provides a perspective by which to harness morality and not
> dictate
> it.  Once understood, it affects the moment.
>

[Platt]
It's the common definition of "morality" I see as a major hurdle to
acceptance of
of MOQ. Even the term "quality" as a substitute for "reality" engenders
looks
of astonishment. Once a symbol becomes associated with a
particular experience
it's hard to dislodge it. Understanding it differently requires considerable
effort which, given our druthers, we avoid.


> [Mark]
> The notion of the Big Bang as something which is unfolding is also
> appropriate.  In my interpretation, we are the Big Bang.  As such we are
> participating; the stuff that stars are made of.  This would bring in the
> concept of As Above, So Below.  This also helps bring the Big Bang from an
> objective event into a subjective relationship.  This would be to travel
> along the paths of Zen as I understand it.
>
> Platt
Agree.


> [Mark]

As Marsha has been experiencing, bridging MOQ to other more elaborate forms
> of philosophy such as Buddhism is difficult.  My suggestion is, that as a
> creation of the human mind, they all contain certain perennial
> similarities.
>  As such, understanding of MOQ can be helped in many ways.  Each of us
> comes
> to the table with plenty of hooks that can be attached to it. As the hot
> air
> balloon fills we can each feel the levity which it provides.  In my
> opinion,
> it is freedom or release from old worn out ballast that MOQ presents.
>  However, it must always be tethered in some way, or we tend to drift in a
> solitary way.  This is no fun in the end and it is nice to come back to
> earth now and again


[Platt]
Agree. I love the "release old worn out ballast that MOQ presents," or in
Pirsig's metaphor, the fresh cup of tea if offers. As we look around the
Western world today, we intuitively know there's something drastically
wrong with standard rational thinking because it is such thinking that has
led us into a morass of debt. The negative consequences of SOM are
further explicated in Lila. We are led by "intellectuals" who appear blind
to their own shortcomings, but continue to demand our allegiance anyway.

Best,
Platt.






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