Zen-like Moments

I started re-reading my favorite book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, a few days ago.  It’s a book that hits me so, so deeply on a number of levels; I can honestly say it changed my outlook on life.  What gets me most is how easily I identify with the author and his relationship to his son, as they travel across the country via motorcycle.  I think about the time my dad and I took the Harley to White Sands, New Mexico; and especially the bike ride to Alaska.

For me, it’s an incredible interpretation of how I see the world.  Early in the book, the author touches on the differences between traveling by car vs motorcycle.  He compares the car to a television set – watching the world pass by outside through the same window frame.  While on the motorcycle, you’re in it – getting hit by the air, the smells, inches away from pavement you can touch.  Stimulating the senses with every moment.

I was riding my bike home from work yesterday evening, thinking about each raindrop hitting my face, and the feel of the water being kicked up from my tires onto my shins.  At that one moment, I was only one of six billion people in the world, but I was so connected to it that my statistical insignificance didn’t matter.  My moment was completely and totally unique to me.  I strive for those moments every single day.

Existence is so incredibly simple.  Most people are capable of realizing this, but I feel like fewer and fewer are able to actually put it into practice.  It used to get me down, especially when people close to me would be stressed and unhappy.  It frustrated me when others couldn’t just flip the switch in their mind, let go of their worries, and simply enjoy being alive.  But lately I’ve realized my frustration is the result of overlooking one crucial part.  I was overlooking the fact that my unique worldview is the result of my own experiences, combined with quite a few deeply introspective thoughts.  It’s my own path, and it’s very, very difficult for others to walk on.

This realization has changed and will change a lot of things for me.  I think I’ve always been reluctant to get really close to anyone, because eventually it would just end with that same nagging frustration when things would become complicated.  I was looking for my exact counterpart, but I think I’m finally starting to see that person doesn’t exist.  I think I should start looking for my compliment instead, someone who’s personality can productively mesh with my own.