…we’re all (every single one of us) just doing the best we can.
Remember compassion and kindness, people.
Compassion and kindness.
It’s all OK, it really is…
The FINAL final on the making of music
Once I was really thinking about the “making of music”, and pondering how one develops that sense of inner musical connectivity, many examples from my own experience came to mind.
One of them is the song Land of Make Believe by Chuck Mangione, title track of the very first record album that I ever purchased, back in high school. Man oh man, did I love that recording!
I hadn’t listened to it in probably twenty years, maybe even thirty, but hearing it the other day I discovered it still has the same tremendous effect on me as it ever did. There’s something about it; it simply makes me happy…and I’m finally beginning to suspect the reason why.
When (if) you listen to this recording, go ahead and enjoy Esther Satterfield’s beautiful voice and the clever and upbeat lyrics, but — please! — do me a favor and really tune in to the rhythm section; I mean, talk about blended and bonded! They are so tight it’s incredible, especially the drums and electric bass. There’s a sense of forward propulsion that’s relentless yet so light it’s almost effervescent!
I’ve listened to it a number of times over the past week or so, and today I had an “aha” moment. You see, often I’ll play a piece of music for someone because I want to share the incredible joy it gives me, only to have the other person say it’s “nice” or something similar. This has puzzled me for years, as I ask myself — how can they not feel it?
Well, I remembered what I wrote a few days ago, about learning to extend my “antennae” and feel the music from another musician’s perspective; from their center. And I realize that’s what happening as I listen to a recording like this: I’m feeling it as if I was part of that amazing rhythm section, intensely bonded in the now moment, in the groove, making music together.
A precious, itty-bitty glimpse of oneness is what it is!
Final thoughts on the making of music
Upon further reflection, it seems like a “which came first, the chicken or the egg” kind of puzzle.
In other words, is my visceral awareness of musical connection the result of my decades of performing experience? Or was I drawn to making music because I already had an innate ability to connect musically?
All I know is that when I’m connecting musically, I feel the flow as something very real, which literally feeds and nourishes me. I feel a sense of unity with my fellow musicians and… well, I just absolutely love it!
But when I’m part of a group where the energetic or vibrational exchange is lacking, I feel stymied and deeply frustrated. Of course, this is major spiritual growth time, as I learn to accept that not everyone has the same dharma or desire or commitment to making music.
Light that all strife reconciles
Way back in the day — when I first found Ananda — brochures and program guides were a huge part of how I tuned into the essence of what Ananda was and what it meant. But the class schedule and calendar of events weren’t what conveyed that essence. I was struck more than anything by the light in people’s eyes.
I didn’t consciously identify that what I saw shining in their eyes was JOY, but I sure as heck knew that I wanted what they had.
Which brings me to this most recent video of our Ananda Worldwide Virtual Choir. Created in honor of Swami Kriyananda’s 72nd discipleship anniversary, it features one of Swamiji’s most beautiful songs: Peace.
I watched it repeatedly when it was finished, soothed by the melody, harmonies, and lyrics. And I realized something…
Videos featuring Ananda devotees (in this instance, singing) are the new, updated version of the program guide/brochure. And, more than the content of the video, it’s the light shining in the eyes of sincere devotees that draws people.
I invite you to listen to this beautiful music while gazing at faces filled with sweetness and listening to voices expressing joy. See the light beaming from their eyes and know that all is well.
The things we take for granted
It’s almost midnight and the question of the hour is what to do when one’s lungs feel compromised by wildfire smoke, creating shortness of breath that makes it difficult to fall asleep.
We take things like breathing for granted all our lives and it’s quite a shock when it doesn’t work so well all of a sudden. I’m not feeling it as much as Ramesha is; prayers appreciated.
Happy discipleship day, Swamiji!
Thank you for showing us what it is to be a true disciple. 🌹🙏🌹
Where did Yogananda’s ray first brighten YOUR light?
This month we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of when Paramhansa Yogananda first came to America, arriving in Boston harbor on September 19, 1920 to begin his world mission.
Millions of people have been touched by the ray of the divine light which Master brought to the West. As part of the centennial celebrations, Ananda New York has created an interactive map where devotees can fill out a form in order to share when and where they were first touched by Yogananda’s ray.
The data will be used to populate the map, which will show how Master’s light has — and still is — reaching out to Truth-seeking souls around the globe. The image above is just to give you the idea; the full map will be shown during the Ananda Northeast Centennial event on September 19th, 2020.
Click on the link below to learn more; then — if you have, in fact, been touched by Yogananda — you can find the latitude and longitude of that time of your life and submit your info. Jai Guru!🌹
Yogananda’s Light Spreading Across the Globe: An Interactive Map for Devotees Everywhere
Pondering my thoughts…
Wow, these thoughts on the making of music are taking me in interesting and unexpected directions! The next installment is underway but needs some time to ripen (so to speak)!
I must say that this process is causing me to revisit some fun musical memories along the way; hope I can figure out a way to convey them adequately.
Yet more thoughts on the making of music
Okay, so my plan was to go out on a limb and describe my theory of why devotees fall into the trap of “playing (or singing) at the same time” instead of “making music together.”
A very interesting theory it was, too. Except that something didn’t feel quite right. In fact, it felt sufficiently “off” that I asked Ramesha to read it over and tell me what he thought; basically, he really didn’t resonate with it at all. It made for a thought-provoking discussion, but now it’s 10:30 pm and…back to the drawing board!
I guess part of the problem is that my theory was a little too heady and, well, theoretical! If I distill it down to the essence, what I’m trying to understand is, to what degree do the following points impact this question of “playing (or singing) at the same time” versus “making music together.”
- The average Ananda devotee doesn’t arrive with a ton of musical training and experience.
- Devotees in general work hard to develop inner awareness and self-control.
- We seek to both raise and increase our energy (and magnetism), but also learn to keep our energies to ourselves.
My hunch is that the combination of these factors might (to some degree) limit the subtle interplay and interaction between devotee members of a musical ensemble.
I’ll be perfectly honest: when I listen to some of our small groups, it sometimes feels to me that each person is an island, and the ensemble is an archipelago. In other words, they’re side by side but identifying as separate entities — like the cake ingredients in plastic baggies.
What do YOU all think?!? 🤔
Thoughts on music-making paused…
…because a two-day power outage means no WiFi at home, and I didn’t have a chance to write my blog while in our (generator-powered) office.
It’s been a strange day. I wanted to include photos of the smoke-blackened skies, but for some reason I can’t do it from my phone. Oh well.
I’m grateful we’re only dealing with smoke and praying for those affected by the actual fires. 🙏