This really resonated, Faye, especially the part about growing up with an over-emphasis on developing the masculine, and now wanting to swing in the other direction and just let the feminine be free. I can feel the river within me, but my structure also feels so strong and heavily barricaded, that's it's hard for the water to flow freely. The creativity comes out in spurts, rather than in a steady flow. Maybe that will correct with time, with a dissolving of the boundaries of yin and yang. Thanks for this lovely explanation!
I totally know that feeling, there are brief moments of openess, but it's often like your own structure is trapping you instead of supporting you. I was thinking about this while practicing yoga earlier - and noticed the exact shift... maybe it will also resonate with you.
15 years ago or whenever I started practicing, I used it as a way to control my body - to get into the "right" shapes, etc. The structure, and moreso what i projected/perceived the structure to mean was the only thing that mattered. But now when I practice, it's more about letting the shape be a container for my energy. expanding into it. Like you said, dissolving the boundaries of yin and yang, or at least letting them heat each other up and create some tenderness.
There's so much wisdom here and thoughts that are really close to my own experience of practicing an instrument for years; if something good is going to happen, you got to be able to stay with what feels wrong and uncomfortable.
To not be afraid of playing out of tune, making mistakes, etc. If it feels really embarrassing and awkward, you're on the right track and should stick to it until it dissolves.
Being a musician, I listen to peoples voices to figure them out; the tone, the prosody, the breathing and so on, tells me if I can trust them and want to listen to them or just go away.
I hear so many dishonest voices, but yours is open and honest and really expressive and so very musical and inspiring.
Oh this feels so good to take in! I've done a lot of work to open my voice and trust what comes through, tone, pace, pitch, especially breath! I've been listening to singers breathe lately... and I feel I'm learning a lot just by that act. I'm very grateful for your recognition and appreciation of that.
"If it feels really embarrassing and awkward, you're on the right track and should stick to it until it dissolves." That is so important. If you want to learn, you've got to allow yourself to be a beginner. And that cycle goes on and on and on. What a trip! Thank you for your wonderful response.
Very enjoyable, the flow of it really smooth as well. Ever since the election I'm kind of dead where creativity is concerned. Hope it comes back cause I sort of miss it but then again some part of me likes this type of quiet. Have you read this gal? You might like her. yer pal, Wes
Glad you enjoyed it, Wes. I had a ball hearing what was coming out of my mouth. It was surprising and I was delighted that when I listened back, I sounded cohesive as much as I can be.
I'm sure your creativity will return - sometime the muse needs to sulk at the bottom of the ocean for a while where it's quiet, but you know it all gets stirred up eventually. Maybe some sea kelp will wave around enough that the sand particles start dancing.
I have not read this gal - when I get back into reading mode she will be on my list. Thank you for the recommendation. Always fun to get a new voice in my head ;)
It won't let me see it from that link, but I think if you share the "secret draft link" I can see. I'm glad you're still writing. Makes me think of the Martha Graham quote, you may know, but I find worth revisiting often
'There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.'
This really resonated, Faye, especially the part about growing up with an over-emphasis on developing the masculine, and now wanting to swing in the other direction and just let the feminine be free. I can feel the river within me, but my structure also feels so strong and heavily barricaded, that's it's hard for the water to flow freely. The creativity comes out in spurts, rather than in a steady flow. Maybe that will correct with time, with a dissolving of the boundaries of yin and yang. Thanks for this lovely explanation!
I totally know that feeling, there are brief moments of openess, but it's often like your own structure is trapping you instead of supporting you. I was thinking about this while practicing yoga earlier - and noticed the exact shift... maybe it will also resonate with you.
15 years ago or whenever I started practicing, I used it as a way to control my body - to get into the "right" shapes, etc. The structure, and moreso what i projected/perceived the structure to mean was the only thing that mattered. But now when I practice, it's more about letting the shape be a container for my energy. expanding into it. Like you said, dissolving the boundaries of yin and yang, or at least letting them heat each other up and create some tenderness.
What I’m taking away from this is that I need to start doing yoga😂
The flow and the structure. I can be both simultaneously. ☯️
and you always have been 🍯
There's so much wisdom here and thoughts that are really close to my own experience of practicing an instrument for years; if something good is going to happen, you got to be able to stay with what feels wrong and uncomfortable.
To not be afraid of playing out of tune, making mistakes, etc. If it feels really embarrassing and awkward, you're on the right track and should stick to it until it dissolves.
Being a musician, I listen to peoples voices to figure them out; the tone, the prosody, the breathing and so on, tells me if I can trust them and want to listen to them or just go away.
I hear so many dishonest voices, but yours is open and honest and really expressive and so very musical and inspiring.
Thank you for sharing!
Oh this feels so good to take in! I've done a lot of work to open my voice and trust what comes through, tone, pace, pitch, especially breath! I've been listening to singers breathe lately... and I feel I'm learning a lot just by that act. I'm very grateful for your recognition and appreciation of that.
"If it feels really embarrassing and awkward, you're on the right track and should stick to it until it dissolves." That is so important. If you want to learn, you've got to allow yourself to be a beginner. And that cycle goes on and on and on. What a trip! Thank you for your wonderful response.
Very enjoyable, the flow of it really smooth as well. Ever since the election I'm kind of dead where creativity is concerned. Hope it comes back cause I sort of miss it but then again some part of me likes this type of quiet. Have you read this gal? You might like her. yer pal, Wes
https://substack.com/@jennastocker
Glad you enjoyed it, Wes. I had a ball hearing what was coming out of my mouth. It was surprising and I was delighted that when I listened back, I sounded cohesive as much as I can be.
I'm sure your creativity will return - sometime the muse needs to sulk at the bottom of the ocean for a while where it's quiet, but you know it all gets stirred up eventually. Maybe some sea kelp will wave around enough that the sand particles start dancing.
I have not read this gal - when I get back into reading mode she will be on my list. Thank you for the recommendation. Always fun to get a new voice in my head ;)
Sulking at the bottom of the ocean, that feels about right. thanks.
sulk, grieve, scream into the abyss... all is welcome
I've written a few things that are solid but I don't enjoy them or like them. Here's one, not published yet, maybe never.
https://westonpparker.substack.com/publish/post/152500747?back=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fscheduled
It won't let me see it from that link, but I think if you share the "secret draft link" I can see. I'm glad you're still writing. Makes me think of the Martha Graham quote, you may know, but I find worth revisiting often
'There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.'
I like that quote very much, very meaningful to me. thanks