Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

I'd heard that this can be a life-changing book, but I had NO idea... there are so many pieces of wisdom, and they're presented in a very non-pretentious way. Most of the really great statements are wise in both the literal and figurative way. I find myself looking for analogies and lessons in every trivial detail... it really sets off the mind.

If you're not interested in motorcycles, it matters not. Though the motorcycle is used as the allegory (I think that's the right word), the real story- so far at least- is a road trip out west, and the subject seems to be... well, the things that we place in our own way which hinder us, prevent us from being who we want to be.

I had heard it was great, but I'm STILL very pleasantly surprised, and very sorry I didn't listen (some of you recommended it in glowing terms long ago) before now.

 

Zen makes my head hurt... LOL

 

The author's notes at the beginning say that it's not at all about Zen Buddhism, nor does it give accurate information about motorcycle repair. I've already taken the time to sit down and rethink something that confused me- and found it to not be difficult once I'd set my mind straight. I'm coming very close to attempting to fix our vacuum cleaner, something unthinkable two days ago!

 

i dont know if it was a pivotal book for me. i do enjoy taking a chataqua route over a major highway though, and continue to do so whenever i get the chance.

 

i have that in local library... i got put off by the fact it looked like it was about motorcycles... but i might give it a go now... glad someone gave it a go...shouldn't really judge a book by its cover now should i!

 

I just started reading it and am on Chapter 8.


It's Brilliant

I love watching the way Robert Pirsig is going insane, what with Phaedrus and everything.

I think it is probably quite a good book if you want to get your head round Zen, I thought it has many good Zen moments and once you've read it reading about Zen would probably not be a problem.

Blessings

Sebbi

 

this book made me wanna read a lot more. It has had a very big impact on a nice period in my life. I still think about it occasionally and actually read it once in a while.
One thing that was very important to me was to take the time for it, there is so much in it. And sometimes I really felt relieved that I could see a blank line half a page further (as if you were running and you see the finishline), so I'd know he would start about the birds in the trees again

Enjoy it, and take the time you need. Like the journey, when you get to your goal, you need to set new ones...

N.

 

p.s. dandelion, can you change the color of you text?
thanx

 

and to prove i meant it... guess who is reading it and guess who already had to stop about 4 times to start converstations with people because the book sprang dicussion into my head... gues who has quoted the bookto a friend its got mee... must read it in one week... my dad wants to read it after me .. i didn't know he liked that sort of book... (he ljust ikes motorbikes, but hopefully it will open his mind some more)

 

i am about a quarter way through. it is good but it hasnt been holding my interest. i need to just pick it up and get past this slow part that i am in. i hate when i get like this in the middle of a book. but until now.......i have loved it lots. perhaps i will push forward this evening

 

The book was wonderful, at least the first two thirds. It spoke of some of the highest ideals of academia, and the best parts of the sixties. Towards the end though I thought it got a bit depressing.

I was wondering, this book was entirely fiction, right? But I have this persistant idea that the book was semi-autobiographical.

 

I have started it.. and for some reasons I stopped it.. even though I enjoyed it a lot.. it is a wonderful book..


probably it was too wonderful.. so I was afraid to finish it too soon.. that is why I quit reading... but now... I wanna continue it again!!

 

I loved it too!

 

Actually, I think it is completely nonfiction. Now I think of his son, Chris, who died and the birth of his daughter. And in the sequel, Lila, he describes conversations with Robert Redford about filming Zen. I think all of that has actually happened. And whatever happened to him on his quest to define Quality sounds very autobiographical to me. But if you wanna know everything on the subject go to
www.moq.org
this is a whole webpage on pirsig's work and the research done on the subject he wrote about in Zen and Lila.

N.

 

I read Zen & Motorcycle many years ago, and I suggest a slow read. Read it, walk away, absorb, reflect, then read a little more. Zen sinks in, permeates your way of life in a GOOD way. I am more happy and content with just seeing and appreciating all the little things - because really that's all there is.

Another book that is SOOOO good, is:

Zen Speaks : Shouts of Nothingness by TSAI CHIH CHUNG (Author), BRIAN BRUYA (Translator)

I love it, it gives some basic zen background, but the stories that are translated in it are illustrated - kinda like a zen comic book. I leave it out so my boys will read it, my youngest son really takes a lot of it to heart - which he needs. I sometimes worry that he will be bent on a life of materialism and appearance... It's simply written and illustrated and every couch surfer that comes to stay ends up reading it cover to cover!

 

It's remarkable in the book how the main character (Phineas?) always asks these interesting questions. For example, when he fixed the handle of his riding buddy's motorcycle with a beer can shim. His buddy becomes upset for some reason, even though the fix works. And Phineas wonders, why in the world his riding buddy, who seems like such an normal fellow would become upset over a beercan shim fix when it obviously works. And when it is a free fix.

He asks these interesting types of questions all over the book, about why other people behave the way they do, about philosophy, and about life. He comes up with some very interesting answers.

 

phaedrus...

 

"zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance"

here's a recommendation for anyone looking for a thought-provoking read this summer.. it's written by robert pirsig, check for it in your library. it's by far one of my favourite books on philosophy written from the perspective of a man on a summer motorcycle trip with his son. it's easy to read, but don't think that that means it's lacking in substance.
i give copies of this book away to people regularly. lol

 

Be sure to read Robert Pirsig's companion/sequel/follow-up "Lila"


These two are probably the most important books I have ever read.

Pirsig addresses the question of quality and the metaphysics of quality. When you understand the nature of his philosophical breakthrough, you may find that your mind has been completely and permanently altered for the better.