Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert M. Pirsig
Book: Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
By @joshua.william5
Background:
As a technically oriented person I’ve sometimes struggled to relate to people around me that become frustrated by the outcomes of failed processes/devices, without ever seeking to find the cause of the issues and solve the problem.
I’ve also noticed that the same people are more often able to enjoy things in a carefree way without thinking about the details of the outcome, or stressing themselves with thoughts outside the experience.
I’ve often sought the root of this attitude in order to better understand the person, and to become more aware of my own approach to life, balance, and enjoyment of experiences in general. As a motorcyclist, the best expression of this crossover of experience and attitude for me is the bike.
Key Lessons:
This book plots a fictionalised autobiography of a technocrat as he completes a cross-country motorcycle trip with his young son, and two friends. During the trip there is a lot of time for internal dialogue and reflection, as the protagonist discusses motorcycles, philosophy, mindset, relationships, and the self.
Amongst other lessons within the dialogue, the book highlights the differentiation between classically (details) and romantically (in the moment) oriented personalities, the struggle to find a personal balance of the two approaches in life, and the dangers of suppressing parts of your personality and self.
End state:
I’ve found myself coming back to this book multiple times over the years as a way to re-centre my understanding, attitude and approach to problems, experiences, and life. In a constant flux between the classical and romantic approaches, I’ve found that this book increases my awareness for allowing both to come to the surface, and has helped me to feel more balanced, and to appreciate the details of everyday experiences. My favourite quote from the book: "On a cycle the frame is gone.”
You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.
