Our purpose for existence, i think, is to explore, learn, and unravel the mysteries of life. It's okay to ask the big question: "Why?". I've come to understand from the Old Ones (my Elders who are old people) that learning is a personal affair and that we are on our own personal path of learning. We must be careful not to interfere with someone else's path of learning. yet, it is important to share that knowledge if it is given and taken freely. This is so because we are simply reminding each other what we already know. No one person has a monopoly on knowledge. Therefore, we should be careful not to insult one an other's "intelligence" by pretenting that we have the "scoop" on something that no one else knows. Our conversations are about "reminding" and "enlightening" each other about what we already know.
I encourage you discuss your ideas through stories and thoughtful statements and responses.
I've been wondering about music. I can't put my finger on it, but there’s is definitely something there that’s happening on some other level…what is it?...can you explain?
ReplyDeleteI think its more than music... I think its also in how people in the world are standing up and speaking out...
ReplyDeleteyeah. a thougthful activist friend dan pelletier once said to my class "if you don't stand for anything you'll fall for everything." never forgot that. but yeah, music is one way to do that.
ReplyDeleteMusic makes vibrations which can be measured and visible. I beleive that they have a healing effect especially if they are intended towards healing. We all need music somehow in our lives whether we are musicians or listeners. When an adult tells me that they are not musical and can't learn an instrument , I tell them to re connect to their own ryhthm by just banging on a drum alone or with other people and to hum to themselves and explore thier voice. Music re connects us to the heartbeat of our mother and to each other .
ReplyDeleteYeah, music has a big part in healing ceremonies. Healing songs are sung in sweat lodges and other healing ceremonies. So in these instances music is used to unify the participants and to reach out to the spirit levels, calling for help.
ReplyDeleteI used to run a religion & spirituality forum in the 90's Harvey so I'll help out if I see similar difficulties here. Belief and spirituality is a pretty personal thing and sometimes the line of respect can get challenged.
ReplyDeleteIt was that forum too that helped me confirm what I did and don't believe. Still lots of considerations. But at this point, I believe my views are almost the same as the oldest form of indigenous views which include animism. The recognition of the soul/spirit within all things. For me I just stop before inanimate objects. I certainly include plants since reading scientific studies that have shown that, believe it or not, even plants seem to have choices in terms of some behavior. And we thought they were just plants growing as they could. Apparently not 100% true. The spark of LIFE itself is one of the realities that is hard to deny.
i know that you can relate to this one, Jayne. When i'm jamming with my friends or performing I get into a "zone" sometimes...and usually that happens when everyone else playing is in the same zone. It's a timeless state when everyone and everything is connected and flowing and in harmony and you're just having total fun. That is a spiritual experience, if you can call it that.
ReplyDeleteYes Harvey, for me it is very spiritual. In one drumming circle a few years ago, there was such unity that above the beat of the drums , I could hear layers of vocals . It was the harmonics from the unity of the sound vibrations and sounded like a choir of all ages, so I felt safe to vocalize what I heard. It was a very moving and powerful experience for us all. I understand that "zone" .
ReplyDeleteKeven it's great to have you on board and reassuring to know that you used to run a forum and know the ropes about it. Your background in this topical area will definitely be very valuable to us. Your guidance will be appreciated. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to plants, I think it's really important for me to explore and learn the relationship with plants, since I've started working closely with them - potatoes and such. I like the corn and beans, but i'm a little leary about the squash, jk. We are holding planting and harvesting ceremonies with the help of our elders and we plan to go into it further. I'm beginning to realize and appreciate how important they are in our lives, how they really try to give us contentment and life (I'm getting emotional here now, jk). But really, there's lots more to learn about them.
I remember my mother telling me when I was a kid how important it was to make friends with the plants that surround me. My great and great-great grandmothers were plant medicine women. My mother told me that it was the role or place of women in our society to have the knowledge and use of plants. I guess us guys were too busy out hunting and figthing, lol.