No New Tale to Tell

Blah, Blah, Blah

Funny how mentioning Krishnamurti seems to raise people's ire and suspicion. And, somehow, when one mentions that he or she likes Krishnamurti, suddenly that person does not believe in beliefs, scriptures, or even Truth. I was questioned by more than one school administrator for using him in classrooms, though never asked why, or how.

Wow. Could not be further from the Truth.

As for me, and I can only speak for myself, as it does not matter what others have said before me, or for that matter after me, I alone can be responsible for saying what I do or do not "believe" in.

I love words. They are my life. I cherish and value them like good friends. I am grateful for the writers, prophets, both false and true, who came before me to provide me with good material to read and to contemplate.

But, in the end, when the day is done, what have we said, what have we gained, what have we dared to loose if it is merely  words, words, words?

I believe in many things. I believe the world is as it should be, for it is the best of all possible worlds. I believe in love, laughter, pain, sorrow, loss, anger, fear, and every other human emotion. But, why write? Why blog? Why do we do it?

Do we have a new tale to tell?

No New Tale to Tell

OR

Is it All in My Mind? 

Watching the Wheels in the Dark

This evening in Madurai, we had the most spectacular Thunderstorm and torrential downpour. The monsoon season has been late in coming to Southern India, and perhaps this was the harbinger of the fall rains. In any event, it was pretty dramatic.

About half-way into the light show, the power went out, which is not too surprising since the power goes out for various reasons about once a day here. But, this was obviously storm related.

Sitting in the dark, with the flashes of lightning illuminating the interior of the flat as well as the banana trees outside, it was quite a performance.

I was reminded of our old house in Austin which had a very special room in the back. With 9 or so 1930's style single-pane windows, one of Austin's thunderstorms could be quite entertaining, if not eerie. The first few years there we had banana trees as well in the back and I remember watching from that room several highly electrical storms that had likewise knocked out the power. Tonight's ghostly images of the banana trees flashed those images from Austin through my head as well.

While sitting on the bed, wondering when or if the electricity would come back on for the evening, I was also reminded of John Lennon's Watching the Wheels Go Round, a song that has resonated in my head quite often throughout my life. Sometimes, we really can't do much, but just sit and watch, as was the case tonight.

And, sometimes, that is just as it should be...

Thank You Terror

Although dear Alanis forever altered the word of "ironic" in our vocabulary in a very bad way, I have been a great admirer of her work for many years. She is daring, introspective, challenging, and above all an excellent singer and musician.

This song speaks directly to my situation here in India. I, too, have the feeling to say, "thank you India" for what I have already experienced in less than a month's time. It has been a maturing process and reality check that no books could have ever taught me, nor any surrogate experience of another's. It has been personal and life-altering.

However, given today's thoughts, I think the line, "thank you Terror" is no less appropriate. By no means do I want terror in our world, but it is there. There is no wishing it away, and how do you respond. I have written today about how a very special group of students responded ten years ago to the events of 9/11 as well as I how felt at times being in the Bologna Train Station, another site of a terrorist act.

Like Alanis, humanity is stripped down naked, exposed, vulnerable in times of attack. Throughout history, over Time and Space, no people has been excepted from this lot that humans seem to draw for themselves. Paralysis is one answer, creation another. I prefer the latter.

Thank you, Alanis.

If God Were a DJ

DJ Cheb i Sabbah is most likely my favorite "DJ" alongside Moby, though many purists would contend that they are no longer DJ's.

I used to play this CD whenever I taught Yoga as it has some very good ups and downs, slow meditative parts and then more intense tracks, including one that I used to use for the infamous Camels.

Here is most likely the most commercial track, but gives you a good feel for his style and range.

Enjoy.

System's Down

Well, today's Tak-Tak ride to school was rather hectic, so I thought that if I had had a soundtrack to it, it might have been something like System of a Down's "Chop Suey." These Armenians know how to kick it. Might need to use this if I make a video of what it is like to cross a street in Madurai during Rush Hour. You will have to see it to believe it...hope I can pull off a semblance of verity.

On the Road Again

Saw a young man who looked like the young Cat Stevens today, and it reminded me once again about how much his music, both as Cat and as Yusuf has been an integral part of my life.

The "Roadsinger" album came out during a very difficult year for me and I would often watch this video over and over, just trying to get some grounding on my life. It was quite effective and I was working at a place where others where having a difficult time because of the external circumstances at play. I sent this out to the school that I was working at and which was experiencing major staff cuts and quite a bit of bad blood.

Roadsinger

I had many, many people tell me how much this song helped them at such a difficult juncture in life, regardless of what each person's own issue at hand was.

Though rather melancholic, it is important to see the second video that goes along with the "Roadsinger." You can see the "alter ego" of Yusuf going to Cat whenever he is wearing sunglasses.

And, the second part to this road trip...