"Effortless Mastery"

[JSngry]

Really, though, the object of the game, I think, is to be real, to be YOU as fully as possible. Sometimes consciously working at that gets good results, but sometimes it's lethal.

Jim, could you elaborate on that a bit? What is it that you are wary of? Does your statement here relate to your earlier post in this thread?

The only problem I have with books like this (and it's a problem in principle only - I know that they actually provide constructive benefits to many people) is that some cats read them and think that's enough. It's not. Getting a postcard of the Eiffel Tower at your home in Sweetwater, Alabama is not the same as taking the trip to Paris and experiencing the thing yourself, if you know what I mean.

Just curious.

Two things, basically - "paralysis by analysis" and being so busy thinking that thinking about doing something gets confused with actually doing it. You know, like people who get religion and become so obsessed with "being religious" all the time that THAT becomes their life, not going ahead and living naturally, just with a new awareness.

Different people go different ways with this kind of stuff. I've seen it go both ways - some get liberated and some...

I certainly don't knock it, because a huge turning point in MY life was reading Alan Watts' "The Book". Really put into concrete form a lot of semi-formed notions, feelings, instincts, etc. that I'd been having for quite a while and "made the clouds go away." :D That's when these things seem to do the most good, I think - when they merely strengthen or enhance what's already there but has maybe gotten either lost or has yet to fully mature. Somebody who goes into it cold, or not having that much of a clue in the first place, seems to be the type to fall into a "style over substance" appreciation and execution of the material.

Similarly, "working" at personal growth can go either way, or at least that's been my experience. Sometimes the work pays off, but sometimes it seem like the best thing to do is just fuck it all and get on with your life, if you know what I mean, and let things be. Things have a way of taking care of themselves sometimes. Making the wrong decision about which path to take for any given circumstance can eat your lunch, but the kicker is, you never know it's the wrong decision until it's too late.

It ain't fair, I tell ya', it JUST AIN'T FAIR!

[Joe G]

Good points and, that's what I thought you meant. Wasn't it Watts who said, "You can get more stinkin' from thinkin' than you can from drinkin'?" Quite true. It's a trap I fall prey to all to often.

Similarly, "working" at personal growth can go either way, or at least that's been my experience. Sometimes the work pays off, but sometimes it seem like the best thing to do is just fuck it all and get on with your life, if you know what I mean, and let things be

Another way to view this is "being vs. becoming", and I think there are times for both. You're right, it's a difficult and not entirely effective way to spend all our days, focused on overcoming our massive personality flaws. There is a way to just rest in the "here I am, ugly, beauty and all" and be at peace with that. But don't come to me for lessons; I'm still working on it. OY! What a basket case!

Edited May 30, 2003 by Joe G

[Soul Stream]

i've still not read very far. however, a couple of thoughts about the whole thing. still, to my mind, my goal is to play "better." and to that end, there just is no substitute for practicing and learning.

plus, once on the bandstand...all this stuff just flies out the door and you have to PLAY! keeping it honest and fun are the main objectives from then on. however, sometimes you get in a rut, creativity-wise and it doesn't hurt to hear some advice from another perspective about getting yourself out of said rut.

but, still, i'm not a self-help book kind of person. nothing wrong with that and i admire people who are always open. myself, as jim suggested, thinking (and not thinking) too much about playing is counter-productive to me.

for example, after reading part of the book yesterday, i went to my gig convincing myself to "not think" too much about the fine points of playing. however, certain songs have tricky passages that i immediately f'd-up because i wasn't concentrating enough.

so, what's the answer? i'm not sure. both theories work for different individuals.

this is all stated knowing i havent' read the book! i'm probably stepping on my toes here. i'll be able to say more later...

[Joe G]

SoulStream--keep reading, he addresses all of that!

[Soul Stream]

i will joe g., shouldn't have really piped up yet about it haven't not gotten through it. don't give up on me yet.