Zen Is Eluding Me

I tried, I mean I really tried. Step 1, get a motorcycle, Step 2 ride that motorcycle, Step 3 read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig, Step 4 learn how to fix your own motorcycle and find deep philosophical meaning in it.

I attempted Step 3 with diligence. Every night before connecting head with pillow I'd lay in bed, flip on the reading light and reach for this classic 1974 thoughtful book. I've read about quarter of it and reading it prior to turning in for the night definetly did wonders for my sleep, it basically hastened it.

Maybe I don't have the chops for this thought provoking tale. I really was enjoying his riding reflections.  Making his way across the country side with his son sitting behind him and two friends up ahead. The author relays to the reader riding challenges a motorcyclist can appreciate, from misbehaved weather coming upon suddenly to the sleepy crawl across a long haul of landscape sameness. In each, there is a personal understanding of yourself and the elements, as he often puts forth, when you ride a motorcycle you are a part of the landscape and the outside world and feeling cagers (car drivers) can't appreciate.

I too have been on a long ride only to be trying to outrace a storm which eventually spills overhead. I've also experienced the check and double check in my mind as to whether I brought all the correct riding gear I would need. And I've driven a long stretch fighting back the dropping of my eyelids. This part of his story's narrative I followed closely, I'm even charmed by the dated material which hasn't seen cell phones, CDs, DVDs, or hybrid vehicles yet. Probably because I grew up in that time.  The travel story is simplistic and human in nature and I can enjoy his ride without thinking too much.

Yet when he starts pontificating I am now fighting the sleep that suddenly overwhelms me. Face to face I can philosphize with some of the best and yet written down in this book it pulls me away from the simplier story of getting from here to there.

Funny, if I think about it his metaphysical overlay its probably saying pretty much the same thing....getting from where we currently are to where we might want to go.

Please don't let me deter you from reading the book as it has delighted many in the past. I just think I need to skip over to Step 4, learn how to fix your own motorcycle and find deep philosophical meaning in it.

Anyone know of a good Sci Fi/Fantasy novel I can pick up and loose myself within? Whatever we do, it's all about enjoying the ride.