Weird music coincidence

[3DStudent]

I have lately been thinking about taking up a musical instrument, something in the violin family. I've never really stuck with one to the point of "mastery", having played guitar mostly and a little drums. Yesterday at work I decided on the violin, having flip flopped between that and viola and cello. The selling point for me was that it can play Arabic music really well, which I have come to like a lot. See this video for a nice rendition of what it's capable of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-LquOmqHGQ. Also was the possibility of putting a pickup on it and getting distortion and lower sounds, and I like modern rock music.

I had been thinking of songs I would want to play on it. I thought about Pearl Jam's "Daughter" and the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony." And also about those slow and emotional Arabic tunes. When I was driving home from work, I heard and listened to both of those songs as I surfed the stations. This will happen sometimes, a song I think about in the day plays on the radio. But then I turned to a Jazz station and some Middle Eastern music was playing. I was like, "All right!" They sometimes play ethnic and indie music.

But as it continued to keep playing the Middle Eastern music I was starting to get suspicious. Two songs I had thought about and then more of the genre that I'm starting to really like. I was wondering if it was some kind of manipulation to press something on me, or make a wrong decision. And at first I was thinking it was a reward or something, like the Universe confirming something in me. So I don't know what to think of it. Any thoughts?

 

[cholas]

Hi 3D Student. I relate fully to your wanting to play the violin. It sounds like a great choice. It's also the same neck fingering as a mandolin, so you might end up learning two instruments.

Since you've mentioned playing guitar and have an appreciation for Arabic music, have you ever heard of an E-bow? I just recently stumbled upon them.

You might really enjoy listening to Phil Keaggy using one here with a hollowbody guitar and a delay/echo unit. Really cool sounds!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwq0i6jP7dQ&feature=related

I don't think you should worry too much about your apparent suspicions. Could they have something to do with the radio rather than the music?

 

[3DStudent]

Hi cholas. Thanks for the link to the ebow. I haven't seen something like that that makes your guitar into a violin.

I don't think you should worry too much about your apparent suspicions. Could they have something to do with the radio rather than the music?

Yeah it could just be coincidence that the radio stations played those songs. But I think this is an important decision for me. I've been thinking about teaching EE, and I don't know if I'd have time to do both. I'm going to write my thoughts on this, but I think it will be better in the swamp.

 

[Oxajil]

Here are my thoughts, and as always, I could be wrong:

3D Student, I've noticed from you that you are really serving anything that is related to everything we discuss here. You helped with the transcript, you donate, you want to read all the books you need to read ASAP, you feel some kind of pressure that you need to catch up with everyone (when in reality you're not really falling behind). Oh, a new product, need to try that one! Or, a new book, definitely should read that one, gonna put that on the list (which adds more pressure)! EE teachers are needed, ok, I'm up for it! And so on.

And there is nothing wrong with that, I think.

But what might be ''wrong'' is that I think that you don't give yourself, and your family perhaps also, the attention that you and your family needs. The attention, energy and time that you put and give to All we do here should also be given to your life, to 3D Student.
What about your 3D life? What about the people around you? Your hobbies? Or your creativity?

If I were you I would choose for the violin, and when you practice with it or whenever you do something just for fun or when you just spend some fun time with the family etc.; try to keep the Work somewhere in the back of your mind, forget about the long booklist, forget about all the stress that is connected to the uncertain time limit, and just enjoy your life as yourself. Just Be.

You can definitely become a teacher if you want, you have the will. But I think that for now, you should forget about the 2014 deadline and just take it easy and try to live your life differently than the way you've lived it till now. Try to live your life with less stress and without the continuous need to have to do and finish things, which makes you forget about yourself. It's good to keep remembering yourself to do certain things, but don't let this make you forget about the other things that are just as important.

Here's a quote from Don Juan that might be helpful:

"If a warrior is to succeed at anything, the success must come gently, with a great deal of effort but with no stress or obsession."

You wrote:

I think I might be pressuring myself to do this though. One of my programs from childhood is not wanting to be left out of my successful peer group. Like when others in school advanced, I wanted to get to that level too, or felt jealous.

I think you should write about your childhood and everything that you can remember. How did you feel, who where your friends, who did you dislike, how did you make your homework, on what exactly were you jealous etc.
Not specifically here, but atleast somewhere, for yourself. Perhaps you will see something you haven't seen before which might help you.

You also wrote:

But still, it seems that spreading the word is very important in this time.

Just as important as you are. Don't forget about yourself and your life.

And to be more on-topic; maybe is DCM offering an opportunity for you to learn something? Not just learning how to play the violin, but perhaps much more than that? It's worth the shot.

Maybe you can go and see if you can take one or two lessons, to be sure that that's your thing. You might regret it if you don't and buy an expensive instrument you don't like to play after all :)

Take care.

 

[Oxajil]

One last thing (sorry for the length!):

The forum, the books, the diet, EE etc. are all, you could say, tools that make it easier for us to cope with the world we live in.

The real school is out there, it's in your environment, the people you talk to, the place you work, the conversations you have with others, the instruments you play, the different programs in you that get triggered by certain external (or internal) stimuli etc.
That's the school, where we can apply all that we've learned. Living in the outside world is the adventure.

And by doing EE and paying attention to the diet we are better capable of doing the Work. The books help us how to act a certain way or help us to clean and understand ourselves and others. And the forum is for more understanding, for help and also for more knowledge etc.

And all of that gives us a gear which helps us to deal with the real world.

The adventure is not really trying to finish the many books asap before 2014 or doing all that might be necessary to not be eaten by Lizzies or doing what you feel like you must do when Rome is on fire. Because you forget about fun.

Do you know why I've chosen to become a teacher? I mean, I also have issues with presenting, I can be shy and nervous. But I saw this as a challenge, an opportunity to grow from and that's fun for me, because I like to do things that my predator doesn't want to do. And at the same time, I will help others by becoming one. So it's a balance kind of thing.

Not so long ago, at school, the tutor said that a person in each group is going to be the presentator and I was like "oh-oh" when I heard that, because I hoped to not be the one who does the presentation. But then I thought about it; no, if I'm the one to do that, I will take it as a challenge and do my very best.

Do you make choices based on only because you have the feeling you "have to do it"? Or also because you're curious and you think it's fun to do it? Maybe just some things to ponder about.

 

[3DStudent]

Thank you very much Oxajil for your input. I always learn something from what you say and it seems like you put a lot of thought and warmth in your words :). And therefore, I don't mind the length.

Oh, a new product, need to try that one! Or, a new book, definitely should read that one, gonna put that on the list (which adds more pressure)! EE teachers are needed, ok, I'm up for it! And so on.

Yeah it seems that I do that, I laughed a little when I read that.

Try to live your life with less stress and without the continuous need to have to do and finish things, which makes you forget about yourself. It's good to keep remembering yourself to do certain things, but don't let this make you forget about the other things that are just as important.

Yeah, I do put a lot of pressure and stress on myself. I think I may have, in tossing out my illusory activities like TV and videogames, thought that there was no fun to be had. So I threw out recreation too, thinking that it would be a hindrance. The Don Juan quote is nice and I hadn't read it before.

Maybe you can go and see if you can take one or two lessons, to be sure that that's your thing. You might regret it if you don't and buy an expensive instrument you don't like to play after all :)

Yeah, I think that with my thinking, taking it slowly would be the best idea. I might learn that I really don't want to play it.

The real school is out there, it's in your environment, the people you talk to, the place you work, the conversations you have with others, the instruments you play, the different programs in you that get triggered by certain external (or internal) stimuli etc.
That's the school, where we can apply all that we've learned. Living in the outside world is the adventure.

Yeah, I guess it's no use if we just learn things in this world, but don't put them to use where they are meant to be in the outside world.

Do you make choices based on only because you have the feeling you "have to do it"? Or also because you're curious and you think it's fun to do it? Maybe just some things to ponder about.

Yeah, something to think about, I think I am more of the former. So maybe I should start doing more of the creative side and explore creation with a sense of adventure.

 

[Oxajil]

So maybe I should start doing more of the creative side and explore creation with a sense of adventure.

Yes maybe :) Maybe the emotional center has something to do with you not seeing life that much as an adventure (if that's the case)?

Maybe at some point in life some people just kind of lose that curiosity that we used to have towards life in early childhood.
When we just did what we did because it seemed the right thing at that moment; when we played with others or collected rocks to create a house etc..
When we lose this curiosity, the taste of life might become bitter, we might concentrate more on what we must do to achieve certain things. We forget about the pure curiosity and fun. Everything becomes stressed and time limits will be present.

But what if we bring that curiosity back and simple be and do what we do?

Also remember:

Q: (L) Yet Noah built an ark. Was it true that certain individuals,
whoever they were, built boats or did things to survive that terrible
cataclysm?

A: No. Look at it this way. Noah built a boat because it seemed like
an enjoyable enterprise and when the flood came it came in handy,
see?

Q: (L) So, you are saying that if we do what we do because we
enjoy it that we will be in the right place at the right time, doing the
right thing when whatever happens happens, right?

A: Close.

Q: (L) Are you saying that we will be led to do what we should be
doing and be where we should be?

A: You will just fall into it but if you force things you run the risk of
going astray.

and

So, I suggest, forget all your "I should", and replace it by "I ALWAYS WANTED...". It may take
a while for you to specify what it is that you "always wanted", but, on the other hand, perhaps you
know it right away.

FORGET "I should", forget it all. Replace it by "I LOVE TO DO ...." and skip completely the TIME issue.

If you need five lifes to accomplish what you WANT, let this be the first of those five. And then, without any "time obligation"
or "should stressing" - start it.

First step first. And ENJOY it. And LOVE yourself - take care of yourself.

This is the only thing that the Universe (God?) wants from you, I think.

 

[Infiniteness]

So maybe I should start doing more of the creative side and explore creation with a sense of adventure.

Yes maybe :) Maybe the emotional center has something to do with you not seeing life that much as an adventure (if that's the case)?

Maybe at some point in life some people just kind of lose that curiosity that we used to have towards life in early childhood.
When we just did what we did because it seemed the right thing at that moment; when we played with others or collected rocks to create a house etc..
When we lose this curiosity, the taste of life might become bitter, we might concentrate more on what we must do to achieve certain things. We forget about the pure curiosity and fun. Everything becomes stressed and time limits will be present.

But what if we bring that curiosity back and simple be and do what we do?

Also remember:

Q: (L) Yet Noah built an ark. Was it true that certain individuals,
whoever they were, built boats or did things to survive that terrible
cataclysm?

A: No. Look at it this way. Noah built a boat because it seemed like
an enjoyable enterprise and when the flood came it came in handy,
see?

Q: (L) So, you are saying that if we do what we do because we
enjoy it that we will be in the right place at the right time, doing the
right thing when whatever happens happens, right?

A: Close.

Q: (L) Are you saying that we will be led to do what we should be
doing and be where we should be?

A: You will just fall into it but if you force things you run the risk of
going astray.

and

So, I suggest, forget all your "I should", and replace it by "I ALWAYS WANTED...". It may take
a while for you to specify what it is that you "always wanted", but, on the other hand, perhaps you
know it right away.

FORGET "I should", forget it all. Replace it by "I LOVE TO DO ...." and skip completely the TIME issue.

If you need five lifes to accomplish what you WANT, let this be the first of those five. And then, without any "time obligation"
or "should stressing" - start it.

First step first. And ENJOY it. And LOVE yourself - take care of yourself.

This is the only thing that the Universe (God?) wants from you, I think.

Hi 3D Student and Oxajil,

Oxajil a very good reminder! I also tend to over work or over stress myself with things, most recently for the past week with me losing my job. The quote from the Cs were they talked about not forcing things really hit me hard. Even just doing the small things in life that are enjoyable count, like taking a smoke or taking a evening walk. 3D Student I think you should go for it, after all music really helps one relax and just take the stress away. I'm the person that just starts going all American Idol in the car when my favorite song is playing .

 

[3DStudent]

Oxajil a very good reminder!

Yeah, thanks for the reminders Oxajil. I remember that quote about Noah, but I never really applied it to myself. It kind of eases the anxiety knowing that we may just fall into place. And I had actually been thinking about Ark's quote this last week too.

I'm the person that just starts going all American Idol in the car when my favorite song is playing .

I don't sing ever, even when I used to go to church I would just mouth the hymns or speak the words in a quiet voice. But recently in the car I've started singing songs I know. Also, as suggested in the EE thread I'll say aloud the POTS. But it sounds even better if you sing it to the tune of Amazing Grace :P. I can't sing well, but it seems to make me feel "clear".

 

[Infiniteness]

Oxajil a very good reminder!

Yeah, thanks for the reminders Oxajil. I remember that quote about Noah, but I never really applied it to myself. It kind of eases the anxiety knowing that we may just fall into place. And I had actually been thinking about Ark's quote this last week too.

I'm the person that just starts going all American Idol in the car when my favorite song is playing .

I don't sing ever, even when I used to go to church I would just mouth the hymns or speak the words in a quiet voice. But recently in the car I've started singing songs I know. Also, as suggested in the EE thread I'll say aloud the POTS. But it sounds even better if you sing it to the tune of Amazing Grace :P. I can't sing well, but it seems to make me feel "clear".

Just to let you know I cant sing either, but it makes me feel good and just takes the stress away so I do it. That's good that you started singing and if you start playing a musical instrument, I am sure it will very enjoyable too.

 

[tree]

Hi everyone,

To 3DStudent: Get the music started! I've had coincidences like that and have had the same suspicious concerns, but the fact is...we are working for knowledge and we can use discernment when these coincidences occur! If you had all those thoughts, then heard the music, and it led you to buy an instrument that you couldn't afford when you couldn't put food on the table, or you were hoping egotistically to earn glory and fame for your music at the expense of your spirituality...maybe it could be the wrong choice. But to expand your creative energy and follow your heart in this way could be a blessing to you and those around you! I'm listening to the music you linked to right now, by the way, and its incredible. Thank you!

Oxajil: Thanks for your helpful and encouraging post. All good reminders to keep doing what we're doing as it comes naturally to us. I've been particpating with Cass only to the extent that my life allows without excluding the invigorating hikes, camping, traveling, family play time, music, gardening, researching, working.... and when I get a little exhausted from all this, I start feeling some fear creep in that I'm not doing enough. Support from the forum and warm encouragement like yours is a true blessing. Thank you!

Have a peaceful day,
Tree

 

[3DStudent]

But to expand your creative energy and follow your heart in this way could be a blessing to you and those around you! I'm listening to the music you linked to right now, by the way, and its incredible. Thank you!

No problem, it's nice music to listen and chill out to. I think playing will help me express myself and hopefully provide some kind of spiritual development. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Oxajil]

Thanks for your helpful and encouraging post. All good reminders to keep doing what we're doing as it comes naturally to us. I've been particpating with Cass only to the extent that my life allows without excluding the invigorating hikes, camping, traveling, family play time, music, gardening, researching, working.... and when I get a little exhausted from all this, I start feeling some fear creep in that I'm not doing enough. Support from the forum and warm encouragement like yours is a true blessing. Thank you!

You're welcome Tree! I'm glad you haven't exclude those things. If we were to exclude many things we love to do (or hate to do) then the question remains what will be left over for us to learn from. And speeding up the process of learning might also not be a good thing:

A: [...] You see when you speed too quickly in the process of learning and gathering knowledge, it is like skipping down the road without pausing to reflect on the ground beneath you. One misses the gold coins and the gemstones contained within the cracks in the road.

We're still 3D people who are here for a reason; probably to learn and enjoy while learning (I suppose). And at the same time we can practice the Work and help others.

And I understand there might be some kind of time limit. But instead of letting that time limit give us stress and the need to quickly do certain things, we could use the time limit as an inspiration for us to put more energy in All we do, if we wish so.

--

3D Student I might be totally wrong in this and maybe overreacting, but I find it curious that you've mentioned that you like to play in the hope of getting some results. This might not be a "bad" thing or anything. But it's something that caught my eye:

I think playing will help me express myself and hopefully provide some kind of spiritual development.

And also found this interesting:

Also, as suggested in the EE thread I'll say aloud the POTS. But it sounds even better if you sing it to the tune of Amazing Grace

So you're kinda trying to gain some soul development in the creativity area as well huh? :P, which is a good thing and probably possible as well. But I think the intent is important too. And the intent might fall into STSness if we focus too much on the results, or so I think. Also, you might anticipate in the results as well, which might work counterproductive.

I have to be honest with you that all I've written down in this thread mostly has come from experiences and realizations in my life of interacting with others out there and here on the forum and reflecting. I understood the words first, but sometimes it's difficult to really understand it, if that makes sense. I think that you will perhaps one day understand this thread differently than you might have understood it before or you might understand now. As long as you do what you're doing, continue doing the Work and to always interact with this forum (very important), I think you will come to the same realizations and maybe you already have.
And after every realization I've had I always leave it open as it could be a wrong realization or a realization that can be worked on or changed. It depends on what I read, learn or experience next.

--

And I kind of have the impression, and I could be really really wrong in this, is that you understand all the advices people give you, but that you sometimes have a difficulty in truly understanding them which makes you unable to put them in practice. Don't know if this is true, just my thoughts and my apologies if I am wrong.

--

Sometimes you just got to let go of everything related to any of this (Work etc.), keep it in the back of your mind, and just enjoy, breath and be (and being vigilant at the same time). Can you think of any moment like this? That you were not stressed, and when you had the knowledge of All in the back of your mind just floating around peacefully, and you just enjoyed on being? Singing a song, not necessarily the POTS? Playing an instrument without thinking about soul development? Sometimes just BEing is a part of soul development as well, I think that in a sense everything is part of soul development.

I'm not going to assume that you might know what I'm talking about or that you can see Life more as an adventure immediately or put in practice anything or understand anything you have read. Sometimes, some things, just need some experiencing and 'time' in a sense for one to truly understand them. But everyone's kinda unique so it depends on the person as well, I think.

I hope my post made some sense, as always I could be wrong.

 

[3DStudent]

So you're kinda trying to gain some soul development in the creativity area as well huh? :P, which is a good thing and probably possible as well. But I think the intent is important too. And the intent might fall into STSness if we focus too much on the results, or so I think. Also, you might anticipate in the results as well, which might work counterproductive.

I kind of think soul development/spirituality, emotions, and creativity are the same thing, or in the same category. That of the Being side of creation. But it's true that I do focus on results and am anticipatory. I hope this isn't the next thing I try and find out that it's not for me, like I did with smoking. But that was based on results and maybe I can try not to look at the end and focus on the journey.

I haven't mentioned this but I already have a student violin that I practice on, so I'm into it but haven't taken any lessons yet. It is quite fun and I get into it and try to play songs while listening to them on the radio. But I want to play for a reason, I'd like to play rock songs that I know and are dear to me, and the Arabic/Middle Eastern music. I don't know if that's a result I'm focused on, maybe just a goal?

I have to be honest with you that all I've written down in this thread mostly has come from experiences and realizations in my life of interacting with others out there and here on the forum and reflecting. I understood the words first, but sometimes it's difficult to really understand it, if that makes sense. I think that you will perhaps one day understand this thread differently than you might have understood it before or you might understand now. As long as you do what you're doing, continue doing the Work and to always interact with this forum (very important), I think you will come to the same realizations and maybe you already have.

That makes sense, I know what you mean. It's like G's knowing and understanding I think.

And after every realization I've had I always leave it open as it could be a wrong realization or a realization that can be worked on or changed. It depends on what I read, learn or experience next.

I think I could work on this some. When I "discover" something or have a realization I tend to think it's final and the way it is. And then when something pops up that refutes that I get tossed about and it's like being turned upside down. I guess it's about being open and working with the hypothesis you have, which may change when new data comes. And black and white thinking too, when sometimes it can be a little grey, or even changing colors?

And I kind of have the impression, and I could be really really wrong in this, is that you understand all the advices people give you, but that you sometimes have a difficulty in truly understanding them which makes you unable to put them in practice. Don't know if this is true, just my thoughts and my apologies if I am wrong.

I think this is accurate. I tend to agree in theory with things that I understand the concept of, but I think I'm one that needs to see it for myself. Maybe it's stubbornness or just how I learn. Nonetheless, I always appreciate the feedback and it is quite invaluable. Even if I cannot apply it at the time, it sits as a thought in the back of my mind that may be useful when the time comes.

Sometimes you just got to let go of everything related to any of this (Work etc.), keep it in the back of your mind, and just enjoy, breath and be (and being vigilant at the same time). Can you think of any moment like this? That you were not stressed, and when you had the knowledge of All in the back of your mind just floating around peacefully, and you just enjoyed on being? Singing a song, not necessarily the POTS? Playing an instrument without thinking about soul development?

I don't think I do this often, I don't let go. Maybe there are some brief instances like when I am doing chores or cooking. Or I think when I get off work and come home and prepare for bed. There's nothing at that time that I'm pressed about, because I'll soon be retiring for the day and preparing for a fresh new one. And I'm usually fresh and observant in mind at that time before bed, and in the first few minutes upon waking, when the predator and false i's haven't activated.

I also don't really think about soul development when I play violin. That was just one of the reasons I think it would be a good idea to learn it. Though I do feel positive emotions when playing. But I see what you're saying, just doing it for the fun of it, without thinking too much about it.

I hope my post made some sense, as always I could be wrong.

Yeah it made sense I think, to my understanding at the moment ;D.

 

[Oxajil]

I haven't mentioned this but I already have a student violin that I practice on, so I'm into it but haven't taken any lessons yet. It is quite fun and I get into it and try to play songs while listening to them on the radio. But I want to play for a reason, I'd like to play rock songs that I know and are dear to me, and the Arabic/Middle Eastern music. I don't know if that's a result I'm focused on, maybe just a goal?

If you like rock songs and Arabic/Middle Eastern music, I'd say you should go for it :).

Playing while listening sounds like a nice practice!
When I write my poems I usually have a seed you could say or a subject in my mind, then I open all doors that may contribute to the poem, but at the same time I try to practice effort and concentrate on what flows out, deleting the things that I find not fitting etc.. Maybe the same goes with music at some point.

I think you made the right decision 3D Student, who knows what the Universe will bring you

Edit:

And we all have goals or results in our mind, or ideas of the results we might get. But it becomes tricky when we do something only for the results, than for our own BEing and that of others.
For example: Someone tells me that if I share a certain formula with other people, which will help them with their problems, I would get special powers.
And I decide to share this formula with others, Not because I want to help them, but because of the special powers. However one can also decide to share the formula (once carefully examined) and not think too much about the special powers.

And in this case the results you want to get/your goal is starting to make some Arabic or Rock-like music. And I don't see anything 'wrong' in that.