A Little Saturday Afternoon Philosophizing

"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rocks looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow.

"But of course, without the top you can't have any sides. It's the top that defines the sides. So on we go...we have a long way...no hurry...just one step after the next...with a little Chauteauqua for entertainment. ...Mental reflection is so much more interesting than TV it's a shame more people don't switch over to it. They probably think what they hear is unimportant but it never is." - Robert M. Pirsig, ZEN and the ART of MOTORCYLCE MAINTENANCE

When you're riding (or passenging on) a motorcycle, sometimes you've got nothing to do but entertain your thoughts. When you're on a motorcycle for a really long time, sometimes those entertained thoughts get really deep. That's this book in a nutshell. I was a little weary at first, but it sucked me in. Because I've definitely been there and have entertained those thoughts...

Image of Robert M. Pirsig courtesy of http://www.insidesuccessradio.com/