Sounds Of Music

THURS., OCT. 8, 1987, 3:35 PM
HYATT, INDIANAPOLIS

Worry not, o son, about whether you will finish this meditation before you are interrupted. This is the time. This is what you should be doing. If interruption comes, you shall know what to do about it.

This morning you made and listened to some sounds of music. Properly, you were not greatly concerned about this presentation tomorrow, and yet you were not truly aware of how it would come out. Now, properly, you feel that it shall be a genuine contribution to the spirit of tomorrow’s gathering. Isn’t it good to find that you can create music with another colleague? You have been rightly apprehensive about such a session, but it seems to have been a “natural”. Now you just must put it in the proper spiritual framework as context. You needn’t include all that I say, but I want you to reread it at least twice before you present.

There is obviously a range in the sounds of music. What you were playing and singing this morning had a warm, strong feeling as it came from the two of you and as you heard it. It is music that both comes from and touches your spirit. Though you don’t identify with all of the situations portrayed in the songs there is something about each one that is a link with your spirit. I have told you before and I say again… don’t try to learn any song that doesn’t touch your spirit. This may not be from a one-time hearing, so you needn’t set this “standard” too high, but in most cases you will know quite soon. If it is not one for you do not deny its sounds or its message, but just resist being coerced into trying to learn it. If it is for you then make some effort to learn same. You have been lax in your learning lately. Your present repertoire is quite adequate, but there are more songs that you could learn and interpret for the benefit of others.

Most music has some inherent spirit, and this may be increased or diminished by the words to the song. You have two tunes with marvelous spirit for which you must develop some new words… words with proper spirit. I am not bugging you, but I’ll just say (again) that you should attempt this task from time to time. When words and music have a truly conjoined spirit the power of the music to become a “part” of your spirit is great. All experiences that affect your spirit in positive ways promote growth, and, as you know, spiritual growth is that for which life is.

The way a song is sung and the way an instrument is played are also part of the spiritual value of songs. You shall do each of these with spirit and so will Dennis. Each song will touch individuals in different ways, as the audience listens. Some will respond almost immediately; others will “warm” to the song. One song may stir a person very little; the next can be a real “grabber.” Sing them… even introduce them… in ways to make the maximum response possible.

So, know that there shall be sounds of guitar and banjo and of two voices, variously blended. These are physical sounds, that could be recorded and reproduced. The other sounds are spiritual sounds, that emanate from the spirit of the song and from the performance and that make spirits in listeners respond. You know how that feels when it happens to you as a listener. Appreciate that you can cause this to happen, only some of which will be exhibited externally.