Zen....

Ok, I alluded to having some comments on 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' in my last blog, and now its time to try and corral those thoughts. I've actually read the book twice now...never finishing in time to submit the answers, but learning more and seeing more the second time round. I actually underlined 2 parts, heres the first; "This book offers another, more serious alternative to material success. It's not so much an alternative as an expansion of the meaning of 'success' to something larger than just getting a good job and staying out of trouble. And also something larger than mere freedom. It gives a positive goal to work toward that does not confine." I see alot of this in the world--getting a good job as the 'be-all, end-all' of existence...keep your nose clean, and work. How life killing!!! Wheres the joy in what you do, both work and play? Whats the point? Whats your gift, desire, Quality you bring that is begging to be shared? "Or if he(any person) takes whatever dull job he's stuck with--and they are all, sooner of later, dull--and, just to keep himself amused, starts to look for options of Quality, and secretly pursues these options, just for their own sake, thus making an art out of what he is doing, he's likely to discover that he becomes a much more interesting person and much less of an object to the people around him because his Quality decisions change him too. ANd not only the job and him, but others too because the Quality tends to fan out like waves. The Quality job he didnt think anyone was going to see is seen, and the person who sees it feels a little better because of it, and is likely to pass that feeling on to others, and in that way the Quality tends to keep on going." Just like kungfu...I get lots of comments when I practice at work, or talk about my requirements. And while I might get teased for some (and I'd NEVER do that to them in return!!:) ) I know they respect what I do and think its cool. Our Quality is what makes us unique. Its too bad so many hide it, bury it or kill it entirely, never sharing what they truely love or are here to share.