ATDTDA (6): 166-170 a

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

       David Morris:
       I'm enjoying your style of hosting.  It encourages 
       people (at least me) to respond and converse.

I am enjoying it too. Of course, there's no lack of ego 
coming from this quarter, so something like. . . .

** See Robin's excellent post 
http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l&month=0703&msg=116533&sort=date
( Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:38:19 +0000)
for much more re "Light over ranges"  colors and so on. 

. . . .makes me feel worthwhile, you know, kvell?. 

There are, as usual, so many different themes to persue in this big, 
fat, confusing and purposefully misdirected Satire, looking for a single 
overiding theme is probably a waste of time. But the sciences of light 
and other radiations from the electro-magnetic spectrum that were 
being researched and developed during the era of Against the Day 
seems to be getting  developed into a central leitmotiv, leastaways 
'round these ranges.

Sorry, seem to be drifting off into some early Firesign Theater, 
Like the Lazy Om Love Farm and Collective Dude Ranch, 
seems like there's lot of that kinda talk in the book.

Just before this section, on 165, starting from the top (in three. . . .)

        Fleetwood stood with his hands in his pockets, 
        shaking his head slowly, "There are stories, 
        like maps that agree . . . too consistent among 
        too many languages and histories to be only 
        wishful thinking . . . . It is always a hidden place, 
        the way into it is not obvious, the geography is 
        as much spiritual as physical. If you should 
        happen upon it, your strongest certainty is not 
        that you have discovered it but returned to it. 
        In a single great episode of light, you remember 
        everything."

Of course, there is the parallel reading of "Illumination". 
In Buddhism, Grace equals Enlightment.

        Buddhist Beliefs Explained
        Bill Savoie

        Dharma represents the discoveries of Buddha 
        and the discoveries of other enlightened people. 
        Dharma is not Dogma, but a raft designed to 
        get you to the other side, as if you were crossing 
        a river. Dharma is designed to fit to you and 
        your personal needs, and then be discarded, 
        because the end goal of Buddhism, is a state 
        of non-attachment, called Nirvana, or 
        Enlightenment. Buddhists have the goal to get 
        beyond Buddhism, to become Enlightened. 
        They learn to let go of their little private reality 
        and embrace a larger shared reality. Since this 
        is not something you can achieve as a 
        “personal” effort, or something you can “own”, 
        it must be approached in a way that doesn't 
        earn it.

http://www.dyad.org/d05BBE_1.html

And our beloved author, 
as you shall plainly see, 
has much more Buddhism in store, 
oh-my-god-a-plenty.