Tag: energy

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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.

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Yet more thoughts on the making of music

By Wolfram Schubert from Germany – Liparic Islands, CC BY 2.0

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.”

  1. The average Ananda devotee doesn’t arrive with a ton of musical training and experience.
  2. Devotees in general work hard to develop inner awareness and self-control.
  3. 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?!? 🤔

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Let’s build the new!

I find this quote particularly meaningful as I think about the state of the world right now. It also reminds me of what Swami Kriyananda taught us about not focusing on changing those who are negative, but giving energy to the positive ones.

Easier said than done, of course!

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Virtual is still real

We had no idea what to expect as we started planning our first completely online (prerecorded) “concert” for the first completely online (largely prerecorded) Spiritual Renewal Week.

One suggestion had been to simply replay in its entirety last year’s amazing 50th anniversary concert, but the music team felt that would be taking the easy way out.

So it turns out there are several things that have made “putting on” this concert a major challenge:

First of all is the fact that every step of the way we would catch ourselves thinking of it like a “real” concert. Again and again (and again!) we had to remind ourselves that there would be not a single “live” element; that people wouldn’t even be “tuning in” at a particular time, but watching whenever it was convenient for them. Even in the description and the recorded intro, we kept referring to “tonight’s” program!

Which leads to the second big challenge: instead of gearing up for a big “concert night”, we needed to have everything ready before it all starts, as “attendees” will be able to access all the special supplemental events right from the beginning of the event. This, combined with the fact so many tasks we’ve never had to do before, left us scrambling at the end in order to get things done on time.

Finally, we’re so accustomed to drawing — and then building on — the energies of the whole group, in order to create something really fine and unique. But now, almost everything we do has to be done on our own, which means having to generate and draw on more energy from within ourselves.

Bottom line? I’m feeling really tired, like I’ve run a marathon or something. But I have a whole new appreciation for digital realities.

Virtual is just a different kind of real.

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Good vibes

I got a kick out of this when I saw it on Facebook, but then I got to thinking about how true it is. That if (when!) we’re strong in our positive magnetism, we can affect real change in those around us. Of course, the opposite is true as well, which is why we have to do everything in our power to keep our energy strong, our spirits up, and our magnetism positive. And we have to be determined to shine, like this little face demonstrates! 🙂

via GIPHY

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I ❤️ orchestra

Don’t know quite what set it off, but this afternoon I’m really missing playing in orchestra! So, I’ve been watching videos of some of my favorite orchestral moments — Overtures to William Tell and Semiramide; parts of Tchaikovsky 5th and 6th symphonies; Brahms 1st; Daphnis and Chloe; Debussy’s La Mer; you get the idea.

It’s fun remembering what it’s like…wearing black; watching the conductor; waiting for a big solo; feeling the connection with your fellow musicians.

But what I miss most of all is the thrill of being in the middle of the amazing sound and energy generated by sixty or more dedicated musicians, all focused in the present moment on achieving the shared goal of expressing the composer’s intention to the best of their ability. I truly don’t think there’s anything else like it.

Sure there are other team experiences in sports and such, but somehow the added element of music takes it to another level. Well, that’s how it seems to me at any rate, though I certainly can’t prove it!

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Don’t wait

How often we wait, hoping to feel happy enough to start singing…when it’s singing itself that will raise our energy and make us happy!

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It’s all directional

Update time…

  • I’ve managed two nights in a row of getting to bed earlier (not “early” yet, but making progress).
  • Seeing a definite increase in length and depth of meditations. Yay!
  • My walks are getting longer (not “long” yet, but — again — making progress).
  • Have cut back on some less-than-healthy treats.

Nothing dramatic, but substantial enough to make a difference in my overall energy, which helps with keeping it going.

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A great rehearsal

Feeling especially appreciative of tonight’s choir rehearsal and reflecting on the reasons why…

Well, the choir is making a lot of progress musically, and it’s always a joy to hear the music coming into fuller expression. Plus, the music itself can be counted on to leave me with uplifted energy and feeling better than when I arrived. And it’s always fun to spend the evening with a choir full of dear friends, with lots of laughter, shared insights, and sense of accomplishment.

But most of all, I’m deeply grateful for that “thing” that can happen in almost any musical ensemble, when a group of people puts aside–to whatever degree possible–their individual selves in order to join their energies in creating something bigger than the sum of their parts. When each person’s mind is focused on the collective goal: contributing concentration, building magnetism, and uniting in ever closer attunement and connectedness.

Of course, all this is largely overt and conscious for an Ananda choir. I mean, our entire lives are dedicated to transcending our little “self” in order to better serve the higher “Self”.

But this kind of experience is not exclusive to devotees. I vividly remember many “peak experience” moments that occurred throughout a wide variety of musical experiences…from jazz bands to drum & bugle corps to musicals to orchestras to chamber music to a gig for a Jewish religious convention!

I grew to live for those moments when the energy of the music would sweep me away so I could feel at-one-ment with “something” bigger. And that’s what is starting to happen more and more with our choir. What a joy it is!