[MD] Truth and Relativity 2.0

[David Harding]

Hi Andre, 

As the cliche goes, we're all learning here. I enjoy discussions with everyone on here. Everyone has their own unique perspective which they bring to the table and yes, that includes Marsha..  I respect Marsha as she has been contributing to this forum for such a long time and often quite prolifically. 

Marsha's latest post seemed to suggest to me that she is frightened of speaking her mind lest she be accused of 'reinterpreting the MOQ'.  I hope she changes her mind on this, then some real discussions can begin!

-David.
> David to Marsha:
> 
> A few questions before we begin...
> 
> What is this Philosophical discussion board to you? Why do you chat here? Is it to gain an understanding of others ideas, and thus, your own? Is it to become a better person? Or is it something else entirely?
> 
> I ask these questions because it seems to me like sometimes you don't really want to discuss your ideas. Is it because you see some quality that I cannot see and could never hope to understand? If so, what's that quality? Can you perhaps try and describe it?
> 
> Andre:
> You David, and many others here on this MD have asked the same or similar questions of Marsha. Quite frankly, I have given up on her proliferation of quotes, you-tube responses and answers-in-return to posts by contributors most of whom have taken quite some time preparing their responses.
> 
> Claiming she wants to explore the Buddhist side of the MOQ she presents nothing but what Ken Wilber has termed "Boomeritis Buddhism" which he sees as 'the greatest internal threat to the dharma in the West". He's written a book about it of course and is also cited in Austin's "Zen-Brain Reflections" which I am perusing at the moment.
> 
> Austin asks: "What is wrong with today's 'baby boomer generation? Wilber calls it "Boomeritis". Think of it as an unusually virulent, endemic, post-modern psychological affliction. It is a disorder that combines the extremes of pluralism ("all realities are equally valid") with those of narcissism (don't challenge MY convictions about MY reality").
> The ingredients of narcissism are a major barrier to genuine, deep, spiritual transformation. Until introspection and insights begin to soften the hard soil of one's old narcissistic attitudes, it is difficult for the seeds of transformation to take root and grow. This is a long process of DEconditioning. It requires a supportive environment. One slowly learns about oneself and starts to apply this new understanding every day, in subtle actionable deeds. This process of reshaping our old attitudes and behaviors is what is meant by LIVING Zen".(pp 11-12)
> 
> Personally I find it extremely difficult to remain seriously interested in what Marsha is espousing especially regarding those areas in obvious conflict with Pirsig's MOQ: e.g. DQ=sq, the intellectual level =SOM, the MOQ=Experience, latching is bull, all is relative etc.
> 
> You're very nice about it David and I admire your patience. I'm done with her slitherings and slidings. As dmb remarked earlier you cannot remain reasonable with a person who is unreasonable.