I think the universe knows when we are ready for a shift. An opportunity presents itself and we can either pay attention, or shrug it off and carry on. What is it that makes us engage and embrace? Timing perhaps. Being open minded. Recognizing a connection, whether defined or abstract. Our willingness to dive into new territory can be driven by many different forces, interior or exterior or both. Why do we impulsively get distracted by a new concept when we already have enough commitments and responsibilities and unfinished work? The universe knows.
So we are still back in September 2014 and I’m teaching Frond Chronicles for the San Diego Book Arts group. Pnina Gold, a wonderful artist and warm soul, hosted the workshop in her studio. She gifted me with Six Healing Sounds, a cd produced by her husband, Richard. The intention of her generous gesture was that I would play it for my son Sam. I learned from his website: Dr. Richard Gold is a psychologist and a teacher, practitioner, writer, researcher, and life-long student of the Asian Healing Arts, including acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, T’ai Chi, shiatsu and traditional Thai bodywork. He has studied neuroscience and the evolving scientific understanding of the effects of sound and meditation on brain function. Foreign stuff to me, but fancy and fascinating.
Upon my return home I played the cd. Immediately I had a connection to the sounds. Peaceful. Relaxing. Piled on my nightstand there are collections of zen category discs – falling rain, gentle ocean waves, whale calls…. Each work their magic and lull me into restful sleep. However, Six Healing Sounds was even better. I listen to it every night, and nearly every morning. It makes me feel centered, balanced, deliberate, focused. You can hear a sampling here: MettaMindfulnessMusic.com
From the liner notes (Six Healing Sounds), ways to use this music: Enhancement of mental focus and openness to artistic inspiration while immersed in the creative process of writing, creating visual art, dancing, writing poetry, etc. They were talking to me!
The music had a profound impact on me. I didn't feel a gradual shift of influence; it was drastic. I postponed all plans and projects that were on my desk or still developing in my mind, and blasted head on into unfamiliar territory. I yearned to explore and discover more about the impressions that were forming in my imagination simply because I was listening to new sounds. I’ve always had that sensory connection between sound and visuals. I welcomed the bombardment of ideas that were channeling in, and was curious to know how this direction would manifest in my art.
So my crop circles and farmland got shelved for a bit….had to make room for the introduction of another new perspective, a shift in awareness. Lots of things will eventually collide and overlap as the Evolution of an Idea continues to unfold. More on that soon.
In the meantime, go have a listen to Six Healing Sounds and see if it resonates with you as deeply as it did with me.