remarks on 'Zen and the art of motorcycling', by R.M.Pirsig

This is a book i also have read numerous times, not tiring from it.

it showed that a perception of life embracing and 

combining 'rational' and 'irrational' is perfectly possible.

the story has not much to do with motorcycling and is not 

a book teaching Zen. it deals with the metaphysical quality of life ,

being there and with awareness. and awareness not just being Satori,

but going across the border of inactivity. you hear the water dripping 

from your kitchen sink: be aware and do something about it. learn to 

master your external stuff, do not just depend on it or it will

dominate you. not only to be your own master in theory but practicing it.

this is perfectly in harmony with being present in the now all the time.

anyway, this is not about ethics but about the 

ability to live as well as you can.

my very personal remarks go deeper for a good reason.

meditation is not the only life, Satori is not a goal.

just to be and stay innocent, pure as white snow,

is not possible as even inactivity will be being guilty.

a mature human will not aim at staying out

of all commitment. to seek detachment from

all feeling and desire is an act of fear, a fight

for survival. esoteric means 'more within', but

out cannot just to be closed out:it is there, present.

so 'just' to be is a no-way way.

whereas to be able to have moments of

joy, non-desire and enlightenment is a

very beautiful and happy experience.

to meditate is a wonder and gives wings

to each human.wings to fly and transcend

suffering and daily duties.

to feel love does not mean to love . without giving yourself

and allowing for vulnerability of heart,

there is neither real compassion nor love.

but this is very personal, an experience

not well digested.