Sadhguru (Washington Post: Obsessed-with-success Washington could learn a lesson from mystic Sadhguru)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/obsessed-with-success-washington-could-learn-a-lesson-from-mystic-sadhguru/2013/10/24/7ff3bb94-3c39-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story.html

"The issue is: How do you conduct your life in a situation that is terrible?  The important thing is what you make out of it. You only come out wounded or wise."
-Sadhguru

I've come across this message time and time again - you are not able to control external factors, but only how you react to it (Frankl, Sadhguru...others I'm undoubtedly forgetting). So choose well. Turn the wound into wisdom somehow.

The most important message of all is this: “Love, joy, peace, bliss are not sustainable.”
-Sadhguru

What an interesting sentence, huh? Not quite what I think of when I think of inspiration. And yet maybe that's exactly it - knowing that a state of bliss, a state of peace, all those other states, aren't sustainable. Maybe that frees us of our preconceived notions, allows us to open up.

To coming out of terrible situations wounded - because I'm not so sure we can help that - but wiser.

George Saunders's Convocation Speech, Syracuse University, 2013

I haven't read any speeches in a while, and came across this yesterday. Now, I still haven't gotten to actually reading any of Saunders's work (see: http://wingedbywords.blogspot.com/2013/01/feeling-known.html), but I will, one of these days.

And meanwhile, I am so inspired and moved by this speech he gave at Syracuse University earlier this year. Especially this one bit (well, okay, it's more than a bit):

"Do all the other things, the ambitious things – travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop) – but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.  Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.  That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.  Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Theresa’s.  Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place.  Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly."
-George Saunders

It's pretty simple stuff, when it comes down to it: doing things "that incline you toward the big questions," avoiding "the things that would reduce you and make you trivial." Simple and difficult, all at once. But start today. Whatever it is. Take a moment and look up at the night sky. Or close your eyes and breathe and breathe, and just breathe. Read. Listen to music. Make music. Be kind. 

And remember, "That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.  Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Theresa’s.  Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place."

To being kind. To nurturing that "luminous part of you." 




For the full text: http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/george-saunderss-advice-to-graduates/?src=me

Alan Fletcher On Music

I'm thinking a lot about work (still). Maybe it's one of those questions that will always be with me. Most people go to work for a certain amount of time and it takes up a good deal of their lives, and of the people I know, most don't really enjoy their jobs. Oh, there are parts of each job, maybe, that they'll like, but overall, not really. And I have to admit I've been that person. Who hasn't?

I still have so many questions about work and fulfillment and meaning. Reading this article gave me a little more perspective. There's a difference between a job and work, right? Between what you do for a living and who you are as a human being? I think so.

Alan Fletcher (president and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School) is speaking about music, but I really think his words apply to anything you love to do, even if you're not doing it full-time, even if you're not getting paid for it. Because not everything is measured in money or externally praised. Maybe some things you just have to do.

 

"I believe in you, in your gifts, and especially in your ability to use very hard, purposeful work to make something of lasting value from those gifts."

 -Alan Fletcher

 

"The music is the mission, not the money."
-Alan Fletcher

"Meanwhile, you are here to do the beautiful work that is the heart of our whole profession. You have made a profound choice in your lives, a choice for music. You have followed up that choice with an immense amount of hard work."
-Alan Fletcher

For full article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/07/08/200002444/music-is-the-mission-not-money

To hard work - at your job, certainly, but also on something you love to do.

Terius Nash, a.k.a The-Dream on Songwriting

I read this article a while ago, and kept meaning to do a post. I always feel like I never have enough time to do everything I want to do, and I keep wanting to make it a priority to do things that make me happy and make me wonder. Here are two quotes about songwriting (and really, the importance of doing things that reaffirm your humanity, that keep you connected to yourself, and to something outside of you that's well, mysterious):

"It's hard to explain. It's definitely more spiritual — why I would be doing music in the first place, if I didn't get goose bumps and stuff? We're so excited, all of us — we're like kids...that just found out that you can mix the packs of Kool-Aid – mix the powder with the sugar, and just eat it straight. We used to do it as kids — I have no idea why we used to do that. But that feeling of childlike – childhood — finding something for the first time."
 - The-Dream

"it feels like the sun is rising, without me having to say that in the lyric.
With music and with harmony it's just one of those things, man. Yeah, I can't even explain it. It just makes me feel alive, I guess."
-The-Dream

For the full article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/19/193538349/the-dream-on-why-we-all-need-r-b

To goose bumps (the good kind), to wonder and to doing things that make us feel alive.

Another Man's Shoes - Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors Lyrics

Loving this song lately - something about the lyrics, the message, the melody. You know, the whole song.

Everyone's got their own set of troubles,
everyone's got their own set of blues. 
Everyone's got their own set of struggles,
walk a mile in another man's shoes.

If you ain't learned that by now,
go ahead and walk another mile.


(For full song lyrics, go here: http://www.lyrics.com/another-mans-shoes-lyrics-drew-holcomb.html)


To walking a mile in someone else's shoes.

Artists Don't Stop

I read this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/nyregion/discovered-at-64-a-brooklyn-artist-takes-his-place.html?nl=nyregion&emc=edit_ur_20130605&_r=0) the other day, and found it inspirational. It's a brief profile of a 64-year old artist, Rafael Leonardo Black, who was recently "discovered."

For thirty years - "day after day, year by year, he labored like a monk [on his art]," while making his living "as a typist in a law firm, a salesman at Gimbels and then Macy’s, and as a secretary in a school. Most recently, he has worked mornings as a part-time receptionist in a hospital."

“I never expected to be able to make a living at it, but I’ve always done it since — well, I guess, since I’ve known my self.”
-Rafael Leonardo Black

"What I do is read and make my pictures. To rip off Max Ernst, you keep one eye on what’s going on outside, and one eye focused inside. Then you make things that say something to both.”
-Rafael Leonardo Black 

Well past the usual age of discovery for an emerging artist, Mr. Black notes that he is not news to himself.

“People who become what are called artists don’t stop,” he said. “There’s a saying: ‘Everybody writes poems at 15; real poets write them at 50.’ ” 

To writing poetry or  reading and making pictures or whatever it is that you do at 50, 60, 70...as long as you live. To not stopping.

Zach Sobiech - Clouds

So I was watching Katie last Friday (which probably makes you think I'm middle-aged, but it was for the first time, actually) and I learned about Zach Sobiech. He was an 18-year old with terminal cancer who sang and wrote songs. I find him so inspirational.

How many people can do that, create - and create such beautiful songs - in such trying times?

I don't know if I believe in an afterlife, or heaven or hell or any of that. But I believe in music. I believe in song and dance. I believe in writing. I believe in creating art.

Here's his song, Clouds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDC97j6lfyc

Well I fell down, down, down
Into this dark and lonely hole
There was no one there to care about me anymore
And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge
You were sitting there holding a rope

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won't be long now, it won't be long now

When I get back on land
Well I'll never get my chance
Be ready to live and it'll be ripped right out of my hands
Maybe someday we'll take a little ride
We'll go up, up, up and everything will be just fine

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear

It won't be long now, it won't be long now
If only I had a little bit more time
If only I had a little bit more time with you

We could go up, up, up
And take that little ride
And sit there holding hands
And everything would be just right
And maybe someday I'll see you again
We'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won't be long now, it won't be long now