"No! Isn't that wonderful."
On this re-reading, what jumps out to me most are the aspects of zen and how that can interweave with journeys mental, physical, geographic, and emotional. Matthiessen and Schaller's journey with their sherpas and porters into the Dolpo(a) region of Nepal are a reminder of the space for adventure in this world and that travel and exploration can (also) be ways of turning inwards. Peace of mind, as Pirsig reminds us, is not attained at the mountain, nor is it given by the mountain. It is either brought with us to the mountain or cannot be achieved at all. In striving we hope to learn that all we really needed was right here all along. Everything is already present, as it has ever been.
"Better tea and wind pictures, the Crystal Mountain, and blue sheep dancing on the snow--it's quite enough!"
