Pirsing goes to great length to use motorcycle maintenance as an example for being fully immersed into the world. He wrote "Zen&The Art of .... " in the 60s, during the Vietnam war and the hippie revolution. A lot of the protestors saw nature loving pacifism as a reaction to the tech-focused future.Pirsing does not see a conflict between tech and nature. It's not a subject problem, but a quality problem. Technology is not the enemy. He could became awakened by caring for his bike just as a guru would meditate on the mountain.

Buddha can be found in everyday life

When we go to college we think that rational investigation would lead to some axiomatic truth that could be the foundation of our life. Some look for the truth in sciences others in philosophy. But there is no such a thing. Pirsing proposes quality as an undefined, experiential attribute of reality. His quality is the Tao, the Zen substance or God. Quality is more of a spiritual, esthetic notion that can only be experienced not thought. A prior perception of goodness we are all born with.

Real knowledge is beyond reason

Making an art out of your technological life is the way to solve the problem of technology...Art is anything that you can do well. ﻿Anything that you can do with Quality.

After reading Lila, I revisited the book that started it all. Pursing is one the most influential mysticist writer and found some new ideas in the book. 

Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974, transforming a generation and continuing to inspire millions. This 25th Anniversary Quill Edition features a new introduction by the author; important typographical changes; and a Reader's Guide that includes discussion topics, an interview with the author, and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning; the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a touching and transcendent book of life.

philosophy

Philosophy

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

mindfulness

Mindfulness

books

Books

THE CLASSIC BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED MILLIONSA penetrating examination of how we live and how to live betterFew books transform a generation and then establish themselves as touchstones for the generations that follow. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is one such book. This modern epic of a man’s search for meaning became an instant bestseller on publication in 1974, acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters. It continues to inspire millions.  A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions on how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning; the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, this classic is a touching and transcendent book of life.This new edition contains an interview with Pirsig and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be.

Robert Pirsig is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Robert Pirsig has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Robert Pirsig's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Buddha can be found in everyday life

Real knowledge is beyond reason

ROBERT PIRSING

CURATED BY

CURATOR'S NOTE

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