Category Archives: Uncategorized

Learning

A fast way to learn is to teach. When teaching, you see what is not known by the pupil and instruction and demonstration is presented to empower the student to mastery. However, it is likely that the student’s  instruction given can be applied to something applicable to teacher need of mastery.

True. The teacher’s mastery may beyond the student’s. True, also, that the teacher’s failures can, by applying what was taught to the student, also  become the focal point of the teacher’s study and mastery.  Of course, any mastery simply leads to the next level of failure in seeking perfection.

Thus, it is: A teacher learns as much from each student, each of whom  is to be thanked.

Time-Life Illusion 2016

As I approached the “new” year, a week before the “old” year ended, I thought of what I wanted to accomplish in the next time period, 2016.  Unfortunately, what I wanted to do, musically, had not occurred in 2015, with goals set in 2014.  Apparently, the fact was a no-brainer!

Whatever I’d set as goals in 2014 would simply be carried forward, without regret, without conditions and without guilt or frustration.  It appeared to me that the failure to achieve goals and objectives was simply a matter of priority-interruptions (as we say in the computer operating system and hardware business) .  I simply considered 2016 as a release of prior completed processes that opened the mind-share to 2014 goals and objective.

Personal ideas conceived only bear fruit when completed.  Thus, the fact remained that my ideas were at least 2.5 years ahead of the physical manifestation in 2016.  How much farther ahead of my reality is my mental conceptions?  In some cases, I’ll not live to see the fruition of mind.  On the other hand, today … this moment is what there is to achieve what has been mentally conceived.

Playing my instrument well and learning to perform those melodies I admire is now a possibility.  My technique was coached by John Patitucci.  performance by Wayne Darling and Dan Zimmerman and confidence by John Clayton and Rufus Reid and Buster Williams.  Reggie Workman, Ron Carter,  Richard Davis, Ray Brown, Jaco, Michael Manring, Stanley Clarke, Esperanza Spalding, Paul Jackson, Anthony Jackson and Ray Drumond (among and along with every other bassist I’ve heard on broadcast or recording) can be blamed for my inspiration.  Special thanks goes to Charlie Mingus and James Jameson.  My understanding was coached to execution by Victor Wooten.  All of that occurred in 2015, leading me to finally get to what I wanted to do in 2015.

Forward!  The illusion of time-life manifests, 2.5 years later.

 

I Sleep Alone

In a home of my own, cialis I sleep alone.
Years my slumber was with love and warmth.
Today and tonight I sleep alone.
Soon will be the time of tomb.
The loneliness of an empty room.
Destiny the end of doom.
The fight in on-existent light.
A place of non-existent flight.
It is there I sleep alone.

Helpless

Living in time, the question of purpose and destination bubbles to the surface of depression.  Having seen all that is offered in this reality, the thoughts of flight and night embrace the day. No answer to why it must be this way, seen all is all that i say.

Nothing to do on a day like to day, except to stay away, stay awake for heaven’s sake.

Having loved and lived in peace, higher levels of love i seek. A different life for the love of meek. A different sphere for the sake of sleep. Helpless in a time of need, thankfully music is the seed.

Teaching and Learning

Yesterday, Robert brought a Christmas present:  Victor Wooten’s biography titled, Me and My Bass Guitar.  I’ve both read and listened to Vic’s book The Music Lesson.  I review it periodically. And, I’ve been working on a chart that’s been extremely challenging.

I’ve been trying to figure out why I just can’t seem to get it.  And, my analysis and criticism of my practicing, playing and performance has been quite severe and pointed.  “What’s wrong with me or my head?”

I’m sure other musicians have had the same frustration.  But, that doesn’t help at all.  I’ve got to get it because it simply feels like a milestone that and bridge that I’ve got to cross before I die.

The insight I’ve received, after beginning Me and My Bass Guitar is that Vic learned to play before he learned to read music.  And that, I believe, is the problem I’m having.  I’ve been trying to read before I’m able to play.  Well, at least that the insight I’ve gleaned today.  And, I’m going to put that concept to the test.

Teachers have misunderstood the reality of playing music.  And, to an extent, the reason is clear:  Learning is counter-intuitive.  So what is taught is simply backwards.  The application:  learn to play music before you learn to read it and you’ll always be able to read the music.

 

Illusions and Cynicism

I’m going to apologize for being cynical.  I have been called one of the “world’s greatest cynics” by a good friend.  It’s not that I’m cynical, it’s just that some people tend to live up to my lowest expectations.

What does all of that have to do with “illusions?”  Simply this: Often we are enticed to idolize those who “look good,” the strong and boisterous —  and who are doing self-destructive things.  Competitive professional sports, for example, create the illusion of fame and often disregard the reality of life and living.

The illusion:

How They Want to Be ViewedHow the Really Are

What’s real?  Can you see the point.    Note: very little publicity and interviews are now being broadcast.  Why?

At this point, I will wager that Ms. Rousey is finished, as done and gone as Mr. Woods.  I would hope that she never enter the ring again and, furthermore, that the truth of violence not be the entertainment and amusement of the masses.  I also predict that if she enters the ring again, she will never be the fighter she so arrogantly claimed as her destiny.  The last I heard, she couldn’t even bite or chew an apple.  It’s hard to see how she’ll ever overcome the psychological trauma, not to mention the physical abuse she volunteered for.

As for being cynical, I’m sure my hope is absolutely meaningless to the ears of the masses.  And, in conclusion, I think it can be truthfully said that being a musician is a much better choice. And, it’s also a best choice of entertainment (as compared to the fight game).

$0.02!

Inevitability

This morning I awoke, read the news of the world and thought about a conversation I had on a Sunday evening a few weeks ago with fellow travelers on this stone — this Third Stone from the Sun.  We were sitting around a fire, fired up and having that kind of precious moment.   The deep philosophical one conversation and spiritual moment where in total honesty and truth each man expressed the depth of awareness, knowledge, confusion and truth about existence.

“What I’m trying to figure out,” I said,  “… is did I volunteer or was I drafted?!!!!”

“Given  a choice (for life as a human being or absolute non-existence) for just only one turn,” John said “How could you turn it down.”  The flames behind the glassed in fireplace glowed the room warmly.

Weeks later, after the Dance of the Death of the Innocents by the Deceived and Wicked, and thinking about all that occurs in the violence perpetrated by the cowards and fools and unrighteous, who are rightly called SHIT as their complementary description, I’ve finally been able to write and express that I’ve discovered in living.  I’m thankful and grateful that before my own transition, I’m able to share my insights to truth with you.

Perhaps the arguments about creation or evolution are simply a different side of the same coin:  INEVITABILITY.

Life is nothing less than inevitable.

I must thank the physicist, Dean Rust,  for the observation.  Many years ago I had the opportunity to discuss the universe with him and, as he said, “Well, Charlie, it only had to happen once.”

Given infinite time (think Toy Story) time does not exist.  Time only exists within the construct of space. Space begin only if there is an event in time, followed by an event. Before the prime event, time itself did not and cannot exist.  More specifically, time as comprehended by the mind of sentient beings, does not and did not exist. And, by definition and reality, there is but one prime event.

Within the prime event all that exists EXISTS in that instant moment, including space for the successive event (however short the duration between the two).  Within space itself life is as an inevitability in probability. The inevitability is certain to occur, thus inevitable in time.

The organization of matter within time is also inevitable, as is the manifestation of life itself in all its forms, shapes and sizes — including the human being, with the ability to perceive mind and manipulate the environment and reality, itself.

An attribute of mind is dreaming and thinking and emotions, mediated by cellular organization of the brain and its function.

Thus, the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “… seen the promised land.” Thus inevitable future state.  Echoing the words of the spiritual alchemist Jesus: ‘ My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?’

The problem is that one assumes it’s a future state.  It is not.  Time is an illusion that does not exist. The prime inevitable event exists and in it all that is IS at that instant.  As the universe is expanding in movement, every moment of consciousness exists.  Only in the mental reality of the mind, time bound, does the vision of the future appear as a future state.  In fact and truth, it already exists.  It simply has not been experienced by those mortals living in that time-space moment.

That the future state will exist as an experience by those then living mortally is a certainty.  Evolution IS the proof of that truth and fact. The emotional perception of that future state, as communicated by those so inspired — including the moral values that produce that state — is inevitable, because it already exists and will be realized inevitably.  The realization will be and is as certain as this momentary existence.

“YOU ONLY GO AROUND ONCE!”

Just remeber:  It’s NOT about YOU.’ It’s US. We are inevitably ONE, within the prime inevitably, measured through the illusion of time.

Peace!

Thankfulness

I visited David Rages on Wednesday and Thursday.  It’s my annual tradition for celebrating Thanksgiving.  I should also mention that I celebrate Christmas and Easter in a similar manner.  David deep fries turkeys.  But, he’s got it down to a science that will turn a vegetarian to the tastes he creates.  It’s both the technique of deep frying the bird, along with his secret marinade sauce.

Of course, the reality is that before Thanksgiving and on 13 November 2015 a disgusting act of cowardice, stupidity, ignorance, and un-Godliness (call Him or Her Allah of Jehovah or YaWay of whatever) occurred in the assassination of innocents occurred by and through scum.

In tribute to those fallen and that moment, Ric Louchard performed a lament.  Here it is for all who truly understand righteousness, love and peace.  Sorrows for love …

1311 Lament

 

I Made It!

Last night’s drive to San Francisco was a “trip” to say the least.  Lots of accidents on Northbound 101, cut through neighborhoods to get to 280 only to be met with a row of red tail lights.  But, the good news is I made it in 1.5 hours + a few seconds and …. lo and behold!  A parking space right in front of the restaurant.

The first set was great.  The second set ended in a train wreck.  I’m not sure how … well, that not true.  I’m not sure when …. well, actually I sensed the moment … I’m not sure where … well … actually, I know where I was.  The end was a train wreck and I think I know how, where and when and why it happened.

The incident reminds me of something a friend and fellow musician said:  “Don’t even pick up the instrument if you think you’ll not have a melt down on stage.”

Why it happens:  Lack of listening to the space.  The space will define where the beginning of the tune is.  But, you’ve got to listen to an entire chorus + to be sure you know exactly where you are, or where the rest of us are.  It’s a bit of advice I’ll pass on to the team.

Meanwhile, we did make some real pleasurable moments before the derailment. And, I got dinner + gas money + a couple of bucks for a pizza.  Cheers!