A mouthful, I know. But this phrase stuck with me when I was reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I blogged about non-linear thinking, but “non-rational means” are a whole different matter. See, non-linear thinking assumes that thinking is split into linear and non-linear. The “non-rational means” according to this book says that there’s a third dimension. A dimension that goes beyond linear or non-linear thinking. In fact, the mere act of “thinking” is bound by these 2 dimensions. To comprehend something complex like relationship, the environment, the meaning of life, it’s tough just thinking about it. I guess that’s why we’ve invented the arts. Something within the physical world to express what the brain cannot comprehend.
In other words, I think comprehension of the world by rational means can only take you so far. The human mind is much stronger and much richer than that. There should be non-rational means of understanding the world. By that I mean we can understand the world without having to explain it, because our plane of explanation does not encompass the richness that’s out there.
I guess the next question is… are we ready?
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Blink, by Malcom Gladwell would be interesting reading for you while this is on your mind.
Yup. Got this on my reading list already.
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[...] Of course, for some of us (like me!) who likes to know the “why”, the philosophy behind some of these journeys, try Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainence. See a glimpse of the book here and here. [...]