Intention

David’s Journal: Current

This unconscious flow and intention, which I know from experience, can be used to write songs, for example, without any conscious sense of what they are about – but then in retrospect they all seem, or the subject seems (sometimes) glaringly clear and obvious – as if, on looking backwards, one can see the connections, and trace a line of presumed intention. Which does NOT mean the intention was not there in the first place – it was merely unconscious, invisible to the creator – mercifully so. Playing Monday morning quarterback on one’s own work, it then becomes hard to believe that there was never that conscious intention to begin with – hard to believe that it was hidden from the creator but subtly guided the hand and heart – and the creative decision-making process – but I think it’s true.

Very true. And, we always lose when we try to force a song that wants to be a ballad into becoming something else. Funny thing, creativity. A flow, a current. Something one can surf or ride, but never really control. If we are good surfers of the creative current it may seem like we are in control, but we are simply following the wave, not controlling it.

It’s Just Us

‘This whole planet is just us,’ the 70-year-old exiled monk said Sunday. ‘Therefore, destruction of another area essentially is destruction of yourself.’
(via The Buddhist Blog)

Brain:Mind

Awareness flows, never stands still. In Zen we sit still, but we don’t concentrate. It makes us aware of the nature of our mind, which flows and jumps and flies like a butterfly, not a bird – that is, rarely in a straight line. Our brain connects imaginary dots, creates comparisons and preferences in a constant stream. Sometimes the flow stops for a moment and that moment can seem like an eternity. But, the flow will start up again – or I am brain-dead…

I read that it is unhealthy to sit at a desk, that our body needs to keep moving, adjusting its posture. In fact it is healthier to stand in front of your desk, because it allows the body to constantly adjust. Our brain is very similar, I think. Rather than forcing it to be still by concentrating, we observe it and let it go. By allowing it to function we are rewarded with moments of true silence.

Blogging the Blogging

Great Blogs #1: Ottmar Liebert

I’ve decided to launch a new series of posts about some of my favorite blogs, plus examples of interesting and well-designed blogs I come across. One such blog belongs to the multi-faceted, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling (and fellow German) guitarist Ottmar Liebert. His posts are an interesting smorgasbord on music as an art form, his performances, life in the recording studio and the music business. Archives go back as far as 1994. (Yes, I also find that a little hard to believe, but nonetheless, he’s got some good stuff in there.)

From MarleneJaeckel.com (feed)
(Via Feedster Search: ottmar liebert)

Well, of course there was no “blogging” back in 1994, but I traveled with my Apple computer and had a mailing list of fans who would receive regular posts, I mean emails, from me while I was on tour. I was using CompuServe up to the time they were bought by AOL. They had a great international network of local dial-up connections. Thanks for the mention.