tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post5873442100468810824..comments2024-03-28T05:04:12.280-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: Motorcycle maintenance attains nirvana?Peterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-30549169344294581522017-04-27T10:53:06.614-05:002017-04-27T10:53:06.614-05:00I read the book over forty years ago.
In retrospec...I read the book over forty years ago.<br />In retrospect, I did not realize how Pirsig's book affected my thinking through the years.<br />I still use "the single brick in the building's wall" lesson when teaching, the climbing the mountain counsel when contemplating the why of actions, the significance of a radio playing in a workplace, the shim cut from a beer can vs the OEM BMW part, the artistry and unknowing worship of god in someone laying down a good weld or turning the rotor of an alternator, of having the opportunity to figuratively disembowel a long time enemy and make the dicision to sheath the rhetorical knife and walk away.<br /><br />I recall Pirsig saying the book had nothing to do with Zen and little to do with motorcycle maintenance.<br /><br />Herrigel was one of the blind men describing the elephant.waepnedmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07114411043832799988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-50074913695701281852017-04-26T19:19:06.736-05:002017-04-26T19:19:06.736-05:00I tried reading that many years ago, before I beca...<i>I tried reading that many years ago, before I became a Master. It was like trying to wade thru a pool filled with Jell-O. For those truly interested in Zen, I'd recommend "Zen Combat", by Jay Glick (the book that got me started), or "The Way of Zen", by Alan Watts (one of the foremost Zen Masters of the West.</i><br /><br />Same for me. I tried reading it three times. Always got stuck about halfway through. My favorite book with the title zen in it is "Zen and the art of archery". Adamhttp://pushingrubberdownhill.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-42617091279036946292017-04-26T12:25:52.424-05:002017-04-26T12:25:52.424-05:00That cover art would seem to be from other than th...That cover art would seem to be from other than the US, since it shows a British wrench (Whitworth). Well, then again, late 60's to mid 70's was the heyday of British motorcycle imports. Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722792638246578812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-68837962446823020702017-04-26T12:15:35.067-05:002017-04-26T12:15:35.067-05:00Although he is careful to never mention what they ...Although he is careful to never mention what they were riding, it was obviously Honda, from the descriptions of his maintenance issues. That's all that comes to mind about the book. My copy is long gone, so I may check the library to refresh my memory.Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722792638246578812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-63930712419678133242017-04-26T07:12:33.950-05:002017-04-26T07:12:33.950-05:00I read that thing when I was 19, and again at 23 a...I read that thing when I was 19, and again at 23 and 30. I never liked it, but it's compelling. <br /><br />For me, the feeling I got from reading it was what my professors insisted we would get by reading James Joyce, which I found to be much like getting an eyelash stuck to the inside of ones' eyelid. I'm actually sad that Mr. Persig is gone, however, so I did end up liking his book a lot more than Joyce's crap. <br /><br /> All in all, 'Compelling' is the right word for what his book evoked within me.Paul, Dammit!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02264872375942355609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-47583522986494390532017-04-25T23:55:37.824-05:002017-04-25T23:55:37.824-05:00I read that when it first came out, and in 1974 my...I read that when it first came out, and in 1974 my life and lifestyle matched it fairly well.<br /><br />If I can find my old copy I'll read it again.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-32355087936384977352017-04-25T19:53:40.409-05:002017-04-25T19:53:40.409-05:00I used to reread "Zen and the Art" every...I used to reread "Zen and the Art" every few years. it's been awhile. I may have to break it out again, in honor of Mr. Pirsig's passing.<br />Not, however, until I sync the carbs on the Honda & get the rear brake back on the Kawasaki. Can't read that book without going for a ride now & then.<br />--Tennessee BuddAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-15424526153948821532017-04-25T14:18:52.719-05:002017-04-25T14:18:52.719-05:00Off topic but I don't think any one reading th...Off topic but I don't think any one reading this blog will mind;<br />From James Wesley, Rawles just added on https://survivalblog.com/notes-for-tuesday-april-25-2017/<br />Breaking News: The BATFE has reversed part of its notorious Open Letter on mis-use of arm braces on pistols, now making it clear that “incidental, sporadic, or situational ‘use’” of an arm brace wherein it contacts the shooter’s shoulder does NOT constitute a redesign and hence it would not make the owner subject to prosecution. Thankfully, common sense has prevailed. Hopefully President Trump will announce far more gun law reforms at the upcoming NRA meeting in Atlanta! <br /> http://mailchi.mp/812e3a375f2a/breaking-news-atf-reverses-open-letter-concerning-shouldering-of-sig-style-braces-1157769?e=98bebfdb47SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06167622192624435028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-14462916674521812302017-04-25T13:23:26.413-05:002017-04-25T13:23:26.413-05:00I tried reading that many years ago, before I beca...I tried reading that many years ago, before I became a Master. It was like trying to wade thru a pool filled with Jell-O. For those truly interested in Zen, I'd recommend "Zen Combat", by Jay Glick (the book that got me started), or "The Way of Zen", by Alan Watts (one of the foremost Zen Masters of the West.The Old Sargenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-79687613732556263262017-04-25T12:03:13.632-05:002017-04-25T12:03:13.632-05:00I enjoyed reading this years ago and think its tim...I enjoyed reading this years ago and think its time to read it again for more perspective. It is funny how reading the same book years later does that.<br /><br />RIP Mr. Pirsig.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-14307651591062884202017-04-25T11:54:52.904-05:002017-04-25T11:54:52.904-05:00Well crap.
I keep a copy of his piece "On Stu...Well crap.<br />I keep a copy of his piece "On Stuckness" handy to reread whenever I feel discouraged with how some process is going.Uncle Larhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008207593205949098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-25871707187435051462017-04-25T10:10:38.493-05:002017-04-25T10:10:38.493-05:00It was definitely a 'different' book! :-)It was definitely a 'different' book! :-)Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.com