On Quality
An Inquiry into Excellence: Unpublished and Selected Writings
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Narrated by:
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Mark Bramhall
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Abby Craden
About this listen
Featuring long-awaited selections from Robert M. Pirsig's unpublished writings, from before and after Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, an original collection illuminating the central theme of Pirsig's thought: “Quality”
“The ultimate goal in the pursuit of excellence is enlightenment." —Robert M. Pirsig, 1962
More than a decade before the release of the book that would make him famous, Robert M. Pirsig had already caught hold of the central theme that would animate Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: “Quality,” a concept loosely likened to “excellence,” “rightness,” or “fitness” that Pirsig saw as kindred to the Buddhist ideas of “dharma” or the “Tao.” As he later wrote in Zen, “Quality is the Buddha.”
Though he was revered by fans who considered him a guru, the famously private Pirsig published only two books and consented to few interviews and almost no public appearances in later decades. Yet he wrote and thought almost continually, refining his “Metaphysics of Quality” until his death in 2017.
Now, for the first time, listeners will be granted access to five decades of Pirsig’s personal writings in this posthumous collection that illuminates the evolution of his thinking to an unprecedented degree. Skillfully edited and introduced by Wendy K. Pirsig, Robert’s wife of four decades, the collection includes previously unpublished texts, speeches, letters, interviews, and private notes, as well as key excerpts from Zen and the Art of the Motorcycle Maintenance and his second book, Lila.
Since its publication in 1974, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has established itself as a modern classic of popular philosophy; selling millions of copies and inspiring a generation, while serving as a perennial touchstone for the generations that follow. On Quality is a remarkable contribution to our understanding of one of the most influential thinkers and writers of our time.
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Deep Thought
- 42 Fantastic Quotes That Define Philosphy
- By: Gary Cox
- Narrated by: Richard Mitchley
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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As Douglas Adams points out, if there is no final answer to the question "what is the meaning of life?" 42 is as good or bad an answer as any other. Indeed, 42 quotes might be even better! Gary Cox guides us through 42 of the most misunderstood, misquoted, provocative, and significant quotes in the history of philosophy, providing witty and compelling commentary along the way.
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Best philosophy intro ever
- By Fabian on 04-14-18
By: Gary Cox
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What the Bleep Do We Know
- Discovering the Endless Possibilities for Altering Your Everyday Reality
- By: William Arntz, Betsy Chase, Mark Vicente
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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With the help of 14 leading physicists, scientists, and spiritual thinkers, this book guides listeners on a course from the scientific to the spiritual, and from the universal to the personal. Along the way, it asks such questions as: Are we seeing the world as it really is What is the relationship between our thoughts and our world? How can I create my day every day? What the Bleep answers this question and others through an innovative new approach to self-help and spirituality.
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Attacking straw men
- By Henrik on 08-06-11
By: William Arntz, and others
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50 Spiritual Classics
- By: Tom Butler-Bowdon
- Narrated by: Richard Poe
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Discover the books that have already changed the lives of millions. This unabridged guide to the literature of the spirit surveys 50 of the all-time classics, giving you their key ideas, insights, and applications - everything you need to know to start benefiting from these legendary works.
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useful as review or starting point
- By connie on 01-03-09
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The Life of the Mind
- By: Hannah Arendt
- Narrated by: Laural Merlington
- Length: 20 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Considered by many to be Hannah Arendt's greatest work, published as she neared the end of her life, The Life of the Mind investigates thought itself, as it exists in contemplative life. In a shift from her previous writings, most of which focus on the world outside the mind, this work was planned as three volumes that would explore the activities of the mind considered by Arendt to be fundamental. What emerged is a rich, challenging analysis of human mental activity, considered in terms of thinking, willing, and judging.
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English only please
- By angela cozea on 11-20-19
By: Hannah Arendt
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No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners
- Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings
- By: Noah Rasheta
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Presented in a practical Q&A format, No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners is the most clear-cut introductory guide to understanding the essential concepts of Buddhism and how they relate to your daily life. How is an awakening different from enlightenment? Can agnostics and atheists be Buddhist? In No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners, renowned Buddhism teacher and host of the popular Secular Buddhism podcast, Noah Rasheta, delivers an easily accessible introduction to the teachings of Buddhism that answers these common questions and many more.
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Perfect for someone curious in Buddism
- By Wolf_CPT on 09-01-19
By: Noah Rasheta
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Miracles
- By: C. S. Lewis
- Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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"The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares the way for this, or results from this." This is the key statement of Miracles, in which C. S. Lewis shows that a Christian must not only accept but rejoice in miracles as a testimony of the unique personal involvement of God in his creation.
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sound, shrewd, well articulated, and well read.
- By Andrew on 09-17-15
By: C. S. Lewis
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The Courage to Create
- By: Rollo May
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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What if imagination and art are not, as many of us might think, the frosting on life but the fountainhead of human experience? What if our logic and science derive from art forms rather than the other way around? In this trenchant volume, Rollo May helps all of us find those creative impulses that, once liberated, offer new possibilities for achievement. A renowned therapist and inspiring guide, Dr. May draws on his experience to show how we can break out of old patterns in our lives.
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May takes on the Creative Act
- By Lowball on 01-16-19
By: Rollo May
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Why Does the World Exist?
- An Existential Detective Story
- By: Jim Holt
- Narrated by: Steven Menasche
- Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Author Jim Holt explores the greatest metaphysical mystery of all: why is there something rather than nothing? This runaway best seller, which has captured the imagination of critics and the public alike, traces our latest efforts to grasp the origins of the universe. Holt adopts the role of cosmological detective, traveling the globe to interview a host of celebrated scientists, philosophers, and writers.
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Fatal Reader Flaw
- By Let's Be Reasonable on 05-09-14
By: Jim Holt
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The Heretic's Handbook
- By: Jonathan Black
- Narrated by: Simon Mattacks
- Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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In The Heretic’s Handbook, the internationally bestselling author of The Secret History of the World has collected and codified ancient, secret wisdom from around the world, formulating a complete philosophy on how to live a happy and successful life. An acclaimed author and public speaker, Black shows how this body of knowledge has been declared ‘heretical’ both by the established church and by today’s atheistic intellectual elite.
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great
- By Amazon Customer on 08-01-23
By: Jonathan Black
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William Blake vs the World
- By: John Higgs
- Narrated by: John Higgs
- Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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A wild and unexpected journey through culture, science, philosophy, and religion to better understand the mercurial genius of William Blake.
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Best book ever
- By idamae on 11-04-22
By: John Higgs
What listeners say about On Quality
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Researcher
- 08-23-22
A Bridge to Knowing Quality
This compilation of excerpts from Pirsig’s writings and presentations facilitates the transition from trying to understand Quality, to Knowing. I would recommend reading or listening to this before reading “Zen” and “Lila” again.
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- Dustin Hiles
- 12-13-23
Succinct dove into Pirsig
I appreciated the variety, and cumulative enrichment enabled by these multiple snapshots and digestible dives into Pirsig’s thought and feeling.
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-07-23
Great work
Having enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and Lila, this compilation of notes was a real treat for me. Anyone who enjoyed Pirsig’s previous work will appreciate this book. It does help to flesh-out Quality philosophically and spiritually.
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1 person found this helpful
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- rusty
- 02-11-24
Read ZMM and Lila, then this
Another reviewer said the same thing. Don’t read this before first reading the two short masterpieces that Pirsig had completed. I am very much enjoying this exploration of Bob’s thinking. His widow and wife of 40 years did an impeccable job producing a beautiful discussion that clearly demonstrates her love and admiration for him. I feel sad when I think of his death because there is clearly so much more he never published. In the 25 years since some forgotten person told me, “you should read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, you’d dig it,” I’ve learned a great deal about eastern and western philosophy that’s connected back to what I first encountered in ZMM. Some say Pirsig offered nothing novel in his writing but for me he articulated the concept of Quality in a way that really pulls the central thread of consciousness. I have been filling in the empty spaces ever since. This book is a beautiful insight into Bob’s journey. It’s worth a listen.
The narrators voice is impeccable. I am very sensitive to reader style and articulation. She could not be more enjoyable to listen to.
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- theEMP
- 08-31-22
Really enjoyed
After reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, I really enjoyed the author's letters. Really interesting how yoga, Vedic history and Buddhist theory are all mixed in.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Tom
- 05-03-22
Interesting trip inside an obsessed mind.
Sometimes an idea grabs ahold of you and won’t let go until you follow the Rabbit Trail wherever it leads until you have explored its every nook and cranny.
This is what happened to Pirsig and this little book is a diary of his journey. Reading brief snippets of his letters, speeches and essays was very comforting as I have often found myself in similar mental straits.
His obsession was the word Quality, or Value or Dharma, and he saw it as a Unifying concept that would help him make sense of every aspect of the World around him. Mine is “Truth” and the search has been equally perilous. His search led him across America and Asia, helped him write a best-selling book, got him invited to speak all over the World, and even found him admitted to a Mental Hospital.
Those Rabbit Trails can be hazardous but reading about them was very enlightening and inspiring for this Reader. I thoroughly enjoyed riding along with him. Five Stars *****
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3 people found this helpful
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- JM
- 06-28-23
Wendy Persig!: Thank you!!!
Please get Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on audible! I read it and it changed my life. The world needs it so bad right now. We know this. Unfortunately there is a huge group of people who do not read anymore, however some of those same people do listen to audiobooks. Personally I do both. I feel like it would be just fine to read On Quality before Zen. These books have immense value, enough to change your life for the better. I badly wish it was Bob P doing the narrating but the narrators used here did a damn fine job. Don’t even think about it just click on it now.
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- Aleksandr
- 06-09-22
Don't read before zen and the art of motorcycle...
Don't read this book before zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance, as you will not have the required knowledge to understand the concepts fully.
The entire second chapter takes excerpts from the book without the preceding parts and with a great deal of the logic missing in the middle.
As the narrator noted in "zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" ... "if I were to babble what's really on my mind about, say, the a priori presumption of the continuity of a motorcycle from second to second and do this without benefit of the entire edifice of the Chautauqua, they'd just be startled and wonder what's wrong."
too much is left out.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jared Kerst
- 06-15-24
Variable quality
Occasionally brilliant, often mad musings of someone glimpsing truth through a narrow objective lens and a wide subjective one
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