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[pct-l] the end of the trail
At 12:08 PM 1/12/03, yogi hicker wrote:
>How ironic. You spend months walking toward your "destination", then you
>get there, and it's not what you want.
Without the destination, you can't have the journey. The destination
defines the trail.
From "Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M Pirsig
===
Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without
desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you
become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the
mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when
you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end
but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks
loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These
are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is
shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top.
Here's where things grow.
But of course, without the top you can't have any sides. It's the top that
defines the sides. So on we go -- we have a long way -- no hurry -- just
one step after the next -- with a little Chautauqua for entertainment -- .
====
Brick Robbins
It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that
matters in the end.
Ursula K. Le Guin