Definition: MU
From Zen and the Art of Motorcycle, by Robert M. Pirsig
"Because we're unaccustomed to it, we don't usually see that there's a third possible logical term equal to yes or no which is capable of expanding our understanding in an unrecognisable direction. We don't even have a term for it, so I'll have to use the Japanese 'mu'. mu means 'no thing'. Like 'quality' it points outside the process of dualistic discrimination. mu simply says, 'no class; not one, not zero, not yes, not no'. It states that the context of the question is such that a yes or no answer is in error and should not be given. 'Unask the question' is what it says."
Mu becomes appropriate when the context of the question becomes too small for the truth of the answer. When the Zen monk Joshu was asked whether a dog had a Buddha nature he said ``Mu,'' meaning that if he answered either way he was answering incorrectly. The Buddha nature cannot be captured by yes or no questions.
That mu exists in the natural world investigated by science is evident. It's just that, as usual, we're trained not to see it by our heritage.
Definition: MU
From Zen and the Art of Motorcycle, by Robert M. Pirsig
"Because we're unaccustomed to it, we don't usually see that there's a third possible logical term equal to yes or no which is capable of expanding our understanding in an unrecognisable direction. We don't even have a term for it, so I'll have to use the Japanese 'mu'. mu means 'no thing'. Like 'quality' it points outside the process of dualistic discrimination. mu simply says, 'no class; not one, not zero, not yes, not no'. It states that the context of the question is such that a yes or no answer is in error and should not be given. 'Unask the question' is what it says."
Mu becomes appropriate when the context of the question becomes too small for the truth of the answer. When the Zen monk Joshu was asked whether a dog had a Buddha nature he said ``Mu,'' meaning that if he answered either way he was answering incorrectly. The Buddha nature cannot be captured by yes or no questions.
That mu exists in the natural world investigated by science is evident. It's just that, as usual, we're trained not to see it by our heritage.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Pursig, Robert M. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
The tagline on the copy I read was "This book will change your life". Initially I tuned this out of my consciousness, believing it to be nothing but marketing hyperbole. Wrong. This book really did change my life. Well, it changed my perception of life - which is essentially the same thing. It's a strange book, part travelogue, part philosophy. It's captivating and thought provoking. And virtually impossible to get the measure of after a single reading.
In the earlier parts of the book I found Pursig's conclusions were so similar to my own. Initially I took this as validation of elements of my own philosophical views. But then it dawned on my that perhaps Pursig was writing about thoughts which, when presented with similar circumstances as Pursig, are so obvious nobody would bother to discuss them. Yet discuss them he does, and in the process I learned a thing or two about myself.
I need to read this book again sometime soon. I didn't quite grok the discussion of quality, but I muddled through hoping for enlightenment. Which came as I was reaching the end of the book. Essentially Pusrig says that you can't define quality. Only I think you can. So I'm hoping a re-read will help me crystallise my thoughts.