[Buddha-l] On Dylan and Poetry

[Franz Metcalf]

Gang,

Richard adduces two arguments that music is adharmic. One, that losing 
oneself in it is temporary and "like" a distraction from attaining 
kilesa-nirodha. The other, an ad-hominem critique of musicians' lives. 
I think the latter argument is weak, but the former is really 
fascinating.

Sadly, I don't have time to fully argue the point, right now, but this 
debate reminds me of debates on contemporary Zen experience. Some call 
fleeting trans-personal Zen experiences distractions because they don't 
seem to be accretive. Richard's argument against music (how did we 
slide so easily from poetry to music?) parallels this view, I think. 
Both these possible forms of distraction fail to lead beyond themselves 
toward kilesa-nirodha. Others, including myself, argue that such 
experiences *are themselves* the end of the path. That no-self and self 
interpenetrate continually. This position owes something to Doogen 
Zenji, a fellow who knew a thing or two about poetry, himself. Along 
with Doogen, we find poetry and music perhaps "like" a distraction, as 
Richard says, but in fact no distraction at all.

I'm certain I'll not convince Richard of this, but that's not the 
point, nor is his convincing me. Brad Clough was wise not to enter this 
game, but I don't think Richard and I are unwise to play it. It's a bit 
like a poetry slam in that way, and I have no problem with that.

Cheers,

Franz Metcalf