Wednesday, November 07, 2018


Wide angle lens. Awhile back I came to the place where I embraced the view. Or embraced that this may be the only (angle of) view that I have. I certainly can't say that I understand all (or most, or some, or perhaps hardly any) things intuitive. But I can at least begin to grasp that there is some connection between the wide angle lens and the ability to sense things that seem to originate not from my thought processes, but rather are introduced to my thoughts from some other place. The "heart space/head space" symbolism that I was brought to some years ago continues to be the means by which I can understand and express this, as I continue to grow into seeing more consistently thru the (wide angle) lens of my heart. Or, as I'm inclined to say these days, to see with my feelings. 
As we move along a path, we develop more of a frame of reference and an overall context. It was 12 years ago when I began to grasp enough to use the term "spiritual" to describe music making. This past decade has been a wonderful ride of discovery, and a most important lesson; to allow things to happen as they do naturally, or organically. And the macro and micro are connected here, essentially the same. Introducing thoughts and determinations serve to steer a process toward a desired end. But what if the desired end is left open to a trust in that which is outside of my thoughts and determinations, or my head? In terms of music making, this has become the whole deal, to "get out of the way" and allow the music to come through me, beyond my conscious (or known) thought processes, beyond my understanding. And I'm learning to feel where that switch is, and even, at times, be able to flip it (even as it is a more passive rather than an active engagement - sort of). 
I played a gig recently where one of the musicians became focused on some negativity. Observing this person as time went on, it was like I could see the thoughts in his head, as a weight, holding him down. I must be quick to acknowledge here that I could easily recognize this because I am well familiar with it, within myself. And learning to separate myself from this internally is like being released from a self imposed prison. But without a taste of freedom, one may not appreciate the limitations of self-imposed confinement. Or, one may not fully appreciate (or even see at all) what it directly in front of them without a lens adjustment.