tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-228907252024-03-19T02:59:09.230+00:00ART HEALS WOUNDSFor those who wish to get up & grow.KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-48742155719087667632014-09-28T15:00:00.007+01:002014-09-28T15:26:34.780+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PLEASE NOTE that arthealswounds.blogspot has now moved to a new Wordpress format<a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> ARTHEALSWOUNDS</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please transfer there to follow, like, or comment on more exciting posts such as: </span><br />
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<a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIXGp1L6H0lSag94shSUzzZAi_2RXGiYeRBqyHjTkr0poyI68n7WoPtORKZNZp0n0ZKG_eDfrpIw0YxxQOHnJxUq-iPrXjWXUrTAvjL2KIGDVr-apOtINGKAeBciFqsXet8gntQ/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Seeing With Fresh Eyes: The Pearl That is Penang </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The story of Joe Sidek and the George Town Festival, and my encounter with the lively spirit of Penang- Pearl of Malaysia- which has it all, temples, art galleries, theatres, mansions, fashion shows, restaurants, jungle national parks, and beaches. It includes a dip into the history of Penang at the time when Noel Coward visited and wrote 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen.' </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWIjJWnP679_A-EeM7G61Fzlc7qqGEmNAJ0KJ1JmJ0H1IRbLQx3M2UmrTJLZun26Z1uW5-XPjJcnOp09MYBBV4xMS9xa-8v-x249l-L5ajXM7alqXKAXH0eHRryreMC6EBsHgQw/s1600/FaceAreasReading.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWIjJWnP679_A-EeM7G61Fzlc7qqGEmNAJ0KJ1JmJ0H1IRbLQx3M2UmrTJLZun26Z1uW5-XPjJcnOp09MYBBV4xMS9xa-8v-x249l-L5ajXM7alqXKAXH0eHRryreMC6EBsHgQw/s1600/FaceAreasReading.png" height="320" width="292" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/2014/09/14/face-reading/" target="_blank">Face Reading: A Divinatory Art? </a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How your life can be read by looking at your face with a visit to Chinese/Malaysian Taoist face Reader Master Ming and Eddy Phoon, giving Thai Buddhist Blessings, lek lai stones, and life advice, including numerology, palm reading, astrology, qabbalah, taoism and even Angelina Jolie! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/the-face-of-things-unseen/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><br />
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<a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/the-face-of-things-unseen/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/the-face-of-things-unseen/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H0p3s4wKMKZM33LV83j3QmLsbOs22HD_YmP3W9uJ3sw80kY1sztvY73oEraI45-45dxpLEQWX7lCCgnf-xKtYwFFX228NgKqkMGT3XM9OJnEvug7FIAyCqtZdnvxXhXOZAIhZA/s1600/Rorscharch+test+example.png" height="254" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and <a href="http://arthealswounds.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/the-face-of-things-unseen/" target="_blank">Pareidolia: The Face of Things Unseen</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An exploratory analysis of the significance of signs, symbols, divinations and synchronicities in life and how being able to read them increases our intuition, including Tarot, Frog Reading, Dreams, conversions, mysterious faces in yoga mats, and all the interdimensional stuff that appears once the veil of nature is rent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you find the new version more accessible, readable and interesting. It's a work in progress and I'm keeping things very small so no big SEO campaigns, or advertising campaigns, just genuine articles, not clipped for media packaged length.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Look forward to seeing your comments there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Namaste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">KJD </span><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-72714196288909915882014-06-16T23:15:00.001+01:002014-06-17T08:16:37.066+01:00Zen and the Art of Being Marina (Abramovich) : 512 Hours at the Serpentine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Photo by Adele </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />There are several people at the Serpentine standing around either motionless, facing the wall, or just staring out of the window, or slowly walking backwards gazing into a small wooden hand mirror. Others are just sitting on chairs dotted around, saying nothing, doing nothing. This artist has a team of assistants in black who clasp people’s hands and lead them to a space to become part of the ’now’ performance. It is like suddenly finding yourself on the set of Resnais’ 1961 film<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc6n2McMAnY" target="_blank"> <i>Last Year in Marienbad</i></a>, where for a moment the universe is temporarily unhinged in slow motion, going backwards in repeated loops and long shadows stick to people even on an overcast day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/exhibitions-events/marina-abramovic-512-hours" target="_blank">Marina Abramovic</a>, with her jet-black plaited hair and slightly stooping shoulders is arranging people in groups. She gives spontaneous instructions. Amazingly, everyone just complies. She is mistress of ceremonies here after all and people are eager to see her - the hostess at her own party of nothingness. No watches, mobile phones are allowed in the space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She zeroes in on me spotting my Ziggy T-shirt from the David Bowie Is exhibition last year, and grabs me by the hand, eyes on my chest, saying ‘David’ as if that is my name. Then she leads me with her tight, warm, cosy hand that I cannot refuse, and walks me to the next gallery. “It’s very crowded here” she says. She proceeds to act as if she’s known me for years. It seems that way to onlookers, but I have been selected - at random or by calculated choice?- for this assignment.<br /><br />“What do you think it is about?” she asks me. She, <i>the</i> Marina Abramovic, asking me for my opinion?? If this trick of flattery is to immediately disarm any Great British scepticism and sarcasm through flattery, then it was beginning to work. According to Abramovic, binge drinking is also one of the faults of the Brits - she herself is a tee-totaller and uses fasting as a way of sensitising her experience in the world. Yet she believes that addiction to drink is a defensive mechanism, covering up wounds people would rather not open up to. She might well be right. Yet asking for my view was validating, placing the power in my hands, and not in her as the ‘author’ of the work. This shows complete openness, honesty and trust that whatever I felt, that was ‘it’.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvsRB7eDGyJ_BTWD2u-7LpV9H-rsFz5wjjzZNeNI_yywaQncp2k6YxinGZewP1MGrpAR_ENkK_KiiRJE9VFa0HED2bTSKVxsL8mrI7E-K5D2-uJR86GodNGEIkHqVNdOd127XSA/s1600/AbramovicQuote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvsRB7eDGyJ_BTWD2u-7LpV9H-rsFz5wjjzZNeNI_yywaQncp2k6YxinGZewP1MGrpAR_ENkK_KiiRJE9VFa0HED2bTSKVxsL8mrI7E-K5D2-uJR86GodNGEIkHqVNdOd127XSA/s1600/AbramovicQuote.png" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“It seems to be like Zen practices” is my answer. She says nothing. Then I dare to boomerang back and ask her what her view of it is. She says “Simplicity. Being present …this is what people really need in the world now.” I nod in agreement, judging by the numbers of people around me being present with her, the need is greater than ever. <br /><br />We are now in a corner where she positions me near a wall. She is still so close that her mouth is almost nibbling my left ear. “Just stay here in silence… don’t move and be in the moment” which I do gladly aware that it is a chance to be mindful. “…But don’t forget to breathe,” she adds mischievously, as though I might just stop breathing for her sake. Apparently, in Japan, she is taken so seriously that people might just do that. Few appear to challenge her instructions, even from her assistants who have none of the magnetism and charisma of this woman. “Take as long as you like and come back many times. We need people to come back,” she chuckles. I ask “Is the idea to empty your mind? Is that what you try to do?” She nods, sphinx-like, “yes, that’s right, sort of.” But in other
interviews online she has said that it’s more about just cutting away things that get in the way of direct, open experience, and just being with that. It is not so much about labeling them according to any religious ideology, though she is on record as having been inspired by Tibetan monks and their disciplines. Walking meditation is one tool. Just sitting or <i>Zazen </i>meditation is another. Endlessly counting individual rice grains apparently helped Lady Gaga to give up smoking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So there is a definite link to practices drawn </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNIoNzSc9Ru0zKJiyImnDvojBqDCd_aBS8i28cPa7zFdTACsfeMQwk1j4T5JmXKzg1ngd9toC-uF7fOOWoJkjl-G9Sjh7su_jjou9MVK18fXJfVwiQxdq0AthhN1ejOnkFBfUHQ/s1600/Marina.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNIoNzSc9Ru0zKJiyImnDvojBqDCd_aBS8i28cPa7zFdTACsfeMQwk1j4T5JmXKzg1ngd9toC-uF7fOOWoJkjl-G9Sjh7su_jjou9MVK18fXJfVwiQxdq0AthhN1ejOnkFBfUHQ/s1600/Marina.png" height="268" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Marina Abramovic</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">from the contemplative traditions. To bring this into the art world helps to blur the boundaries of art and higher order experiences. Abramovic has collaborated with Tibetan monks and shamans to create a series of exercises to allow people to experience ‘durational art.’ These are what she teaches at her Institute where she instructs people to slow down time and learn the art of being.<br /><br />She then glides away from me with that enigmatic grin on her face to my friend and grabs her by the hand with the same sideswipe and clamp technique, not letting you slip away. She gets them to walk slowly - a meditation walk which is to increase awareness of each foot fall from toe to heel. Her presence is very palpable, and real, not abstract or cold, but earthy and intense. Her touch gives off a radiance, a warmth. When Abramovic puts her hand on your shoulder and presses down into you it goes deep. It is a privilege, like receiving Reiki from a master practitioner. She’s channeling this Shamanic type of energy, and it is like being given a gift of transference. She feeds off the responses of the public - her public, not in a vampiric way, but because it gives her higher motivation to touch those parts that wouldn’t otherwise be touched, people’s inner selves. <br /><br />The moments after she has gone, I remain still, and gone, and aware of my toes pressing into my shoes, and of my slowed-down breathing and the hushed silence in the room, broken by a few cars passing from outside, were personal yet shared. It reminds me of being in a church when it suddenly goes intensely quiet and contemplation is realised. Relief from excess noise is always welcome. It creates space just as Marina says. I don’t have any trouble being still, but I wonder how many others would find it a major challenge. Abramovic has boiled it down to the essence which was never better expressed as in Pascal’s <i>Pensees </i>(1761) where he says “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”<br /><br />This can be scary for some, like approaching that abyss within we tend to run away from with distraction after distraction. She said in the Artist is Present documentary that "the hardest thing to do is something that is close to nothing. It demands all of you because there is not story anymore to tell. There’s no objects to hide behind. You have to rely on your own pure energy and nothing else.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She operates on many levels. One is just cunning self-promoter, having fun with a bunch of people along for the ride. But see beyond that and another is as strategic conduit of experiences to be shared by everyone, making her a shaman and even high priestess of art. She helps you to create that space inside. You can do it by yourself, no doubt, but by facilitating it, she makes it a shared experience, marked by her presence. Emptiness indeed is all around. The gallery is empty of anything so crude as a physical object. The art ‘work’ she is creating is what the viewers bring to it, carved experientially on the screen of their own minds, but one could call it living sculpture as several people are standing motionless in different directions like statues on a platform when you first walk in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Abramovic has achieved a near-cult status now by challenging herself at every level. She attempts to fuse artistic concerns with spiritual practices. One of her friends, Laurie Anderson, has noted in <a href="http://bombmagazine.org/article/2561/Marina%20Abramovi%C4%87" target="_blank"><i>Bomb Magazine</i></a>, that Marina’s work has become ever more personal, direct, and ‘spiritual,’challenging its viewers and participants to confront their own disjointed selves. It is not unconnected that the rise of Mindfulness, as proposed by <a href="http://www.mindfulnesscds.com/" target="_blank">Kabat-Zinn</a>, has and still is steadily gaining steady mass acceptance in business and the corporate world as well as medicine, education and even the government. The power of mindfulness is that it is deceptively simple. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be Quiet! The Artist is Present.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So whether you think it is much ado about nothing, or a chance to trigger a personal epiphany, she’s here in London for the duration of the summer. One day silence another day a scream fest- it could be either or something else. Who knows what she’ll cook up next to challenge us? The queue was not long, but I have a feeling that, while it seems to be easily dismissed as fake, or even a bit daft, it will catch on, and it would not surprise me if, by the end of the summer, people are clamouring to go back again and again to Ms. Abramovic’s house to experience a bit more of this nowness and take away from it what you will.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/exhibitions-events/marina-abramovic-512-hours" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The exhibition runs until August 25th. </span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">©<b> Kieron Devlin, 2014</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all rights reserved</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-86141162189194993492014-06-10T00:05:00.000+01:002014-06-16T23:23:16.632+01:00The 2014 International Yoga Sports Federation Competition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roll Call Before Starting </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=eqF9mIXnqWI" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Watch a video slide show of the Competition here:</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So
as the dust has settled on 2014's <a href="http://i.yogasportsfederation.org/" target="_blank">International Yoga Sports Federation</a> competition, one of the most exciting events on the yoga calendar. This year it was at London's Institute
of Education, and now I'm pondering about this display of dedication and prowess to the promotion of yoga as a life-changing force. It is more than impressive. As an<a href="http://i.yogasportsfederation.org/" target="_blank"> IYSF </a>volunteer, I was able to meet Rajashree
Choudhury and her daughter, plus Cintra Brown, who was the first to bring Bikram to London, and Marianna Massaccesi, the UK youth champion 2014,and
so many other great contestants from all over the world. These yogathletes descended on London
to take in this juicy exhibition of vendors from <a href="https://www.mindbodyonline.com/apps/connect" target="_blank">Mind Body Connect</a>, <a href="http://www.shaktiaw.com/" target="_blank">Shakti Activewear,</a><a href="http://www.dragonfly-yogawear.com/" target="_blank"> Dragonfly,</a> <a href="http://www.yogabela.com/default.asp" target="_blank">Yogabela,</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lalalandcomfywear" target="_blank">La La Land</a>,to <a href="http://www.shopmaxnyc.com/" target="_blank">Max</a>, along with athletes and hardworking
yoga practitioners. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4g6DNFluO2Q3j-9AoPMiMxLJD0h7ppYpU0NS3APXJ6vdXP_yjJ0qgLFZWq7k8tZCAXN72A2Wl0CInSmkm7ZcAbxWqg9EOl368Ipe8oEKfxrAvuKqL-0BJ48CJmoARvVFsflB3g/s1600/908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4g6DNFluO2Q3j-9AoPMiMxLJD0h7ppYpU0NS3APXJ6vdXP_yjJ0qgLFZWq7k8tZCAXN72A2Wl0CInSmkm7ZcAbxWqg9EOl368Ipe8oEKfxrAvuKqL-0BJ48CJmoARvVFsflB3g/s1600/908.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rajayshree Choudhury</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yoga
can be classed as a sport. Yes, why not, as B.S.Iyengar said it is only the asanas of
all the eight limbs or petals of yoga that are less individual and
personal, so there is no harm in competitive displays of asanas. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It
has been a tradition in India for over a century to run competitions for asana, and it is
through those events that Rajashree and Bikram Choudhury first
met. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some might not even wish to waste time on this debate about whether it is nor is not a sport, as it's all been said before, and just want to enjoy the display of skill in competition, but yoga has five thousand years of sacred prestige weighing heavily on its shoulder stand. Yoga, while being difficult, is not usually known for its spirit of rivalry, or point scoring, but more for its private and personal body/mind/spirit inner development. It certainly cannot be compared to the body elastics of gymnasts, but there is nevertheless a purely physical aspect to yoga (called asana) and many believe that this athletic strand in yoga which takes long hours of practice and training, is gaining prominence and, yes, even more acceptance, mostly through the efforts of the<a href="http://i.yogasportsfederation.org/" target="_blank"> IYSF</a> <a href="http://i.yogasportsfederation.org/" target="_blank">(International Yoga Sports Federation)</a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> with back up from C.J. from <a href="http://bikramyogabrighton.com/" target="_blank">YogaBrighton</a> and Lorraine Bell from <a href="http://sohotbikramyoga.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sohot Yoga</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">who run the <a href="http://bikramyogafederation.liveeditaurora.com/" target="_blank">UK Yoga Sports Federation.</a></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dhBdonFzmVGFWKsMQ1ruGsqSxiiclGsm-NxP-rtBCHdrOc2W_KiFe632PLxDu-8jJUkLodrgYqpQWFRx8HKVpLMxv7TdJBwVAbRlBkR4V8PZOBuHI5GXpSZU6XjVDdv1T4BZHw/s1600/793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dhBdonFzmVGFWKsMQ1ruGsqSxiiclGsm-NxP-rtBCHdrOc2W_KiFe632PLxDu-8jJUkLodrgYqpQWFRx8HKVpLMxv7TdJBwVAbRlBkR4V8PZOBuHI5GXpSZU6XjVDdv1T4BZHw/s1600/793.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joseph Encinia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But asana
or posture, as you can imagine, is no ordinary sport. Once you go beyond the physical, and it does not take much, then yoga's rightful sphere is the field of consciousness. I don't think there could ever be a points-out-of-ten for the achievement of <i>Samadhi</i> for example, or
that could we ever envisage a situation where people's experience of Bliss
is 8.5 while someone else's is only 7.9? Never, because that is the hidden, mental aspect of yoga which is beyond comparisons of better or worse. Some things cannot be measured on a points
scale. Yet the the body-mind connection is evident in yoga, and it can inspire people to know more about it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However, on the ground level, it does actually look mighty fine considered as a sport. It requires intense discipline like any other sport and is eminently watchable, just as we watch divers, who also wear speedoes which are necessary for unrestricted movement of the body.
Yogis, in this sense, would have to be called 'athletes' and not yogis or yoginis,
but they are clearly kind of both, depending which aspect is focussed on, so we might settle for the term <i>yogathletes?</i> No doubt the argument will go on, and on, as debates that push around words tend to do. It seems to me and others that you are either in with it or you are not. It is a personal choice.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36EtsqXGWMowwYZCQzaUS39v278jmKwJ7fitGDSHK_GvIm7qzkbWlzK52qcpdTDTIB_EQwXS2wCfwGnxDG-YfR7l9WapP9WE3ahVArWwIKpN6Un_fv5_M52kbhnaDtQrvRlo1Fg/s1600/781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36EtsqXGWMowwYZCQzaUS39v278jmKwJ7fitGDSHK_GvIm7qzkbWlzK52qcpdTDTIB_EQwXS2wCfwGnxDG-YfR7l9WapP9WE3ahVArWwIKpN6Un_fv5_M52kbhnaDtQrvRlo1Fg/s1600/781.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Female Contestant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bear in mind that traditionally, women were not allowed to practice yoga, but Western women have changed all that by defying that rule in droves, and now they have almost begun to own yoga in a way that the men do not, so thankfully perceptions do change, and innovation moves forward. </span>Whether it reaches Olympic standard is another matter that barely matters, at least to me. Whether people say that yoga-sport is not yoga is like saying a molecule of water is not the ocean as in one sense <i>everything</i> is yoga. It depends on a certain kind of quality focussed attention brought to bear to perfect a pose. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
fact that a huge number of athletes from Ryan Giggs, David Beckham to Andy
Murray all swear that it is Bikram that has enhanced their performance,
should be enough to fuse athleticism and yoga in our minds. Yoga,
especially Bikram, seems tailor-made to suit the needs of
athletes, as it promotes increased detoxing, lung capacity, endurance, and flexibility. It
is especially good for restorative work of all the numerous injuries to muscles, joints and hamstrings that
athletes, runners and tennis players suffer. Years ago, I had intense sciatic pain in the hips- and that was some serious
pain- and it was only my attention to yoga that helped me gradually overcome
that. It is also true for dancers, and it should be no surprise that pop stars like Madonna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga choose Bikram yoga to tone up their bodies for their intensive dance routines. <br /><br /><i>Budokan</i> is an example of yoga which fuses with martial art ( kind of sporty?) based originally around karate. Cameron Shayne, the founder at <a href="http://budokonuniversity.com/" target="_blank">Budokan University</a>,
defines himself as an ‘artist’ and 'guru killer' rather than a yogi
pushing the boundaries of how that is defined. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0Fm5QlzvDhzlW-5JgydiChKvYALXmtSmVfJrp9yqTbG4Hhp6ujwIy91Mv4JDbgD0l5qC-BqJoCgJgW1fOE0mU0dUjVdOAZ2uAx83_9ghS-mdsUJNfXdWQUdbLszTNgTMHDInhg/s1600/828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0Fm5QlzvDhzlW-5JgydiChKvYALXmtSmVfJrp9yqTbG4Hhp6ujwIy91Mv4JDbgD0l5qC-BqJoCgJgW1fOE0mU0dUjVdOAZ2uAx83_9ghS-mdsUJNfXdWQUdbLszTNgTMHDInhg/s1600/828.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared McCann in Full Bow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is what yoga as a sport does, pushes boundaries. So now we have a blend
of sport and art and </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">let's not forget that it is also an ancient Vedic science of the neuro-physiological. It</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> seems yoga is not so easily
locked in the 'sacred' box - exactly because we are thinking outside that box here. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.acroyoga.org/" target="_blank">Acro Yoga</a>, also works along similar lines combining yoga, with Thai massage, and
partner acrobatics, yet no one seems to question the ethics of that particular cocktail. So now we have yoga-asana as sport, as art,and even science. So yoga is and can happily be all of these forms of expression, because it has all these possibilities for expansion into all these activities.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yet some still argue that yoga is this or that, or not this and not that, <i>yada yada</i>, as if it would somehow be defiled or contaminated by the spirit of competition. I personally do not find it so difficult to accept, but I am not about to take part in any competition anytime soon and I can handle a fair share of paradoxes. But I do know that it can be utterly breathtaking and inspirational to watch and if you do practise, watching great practitioners can help you visualise the alignment of poses much better in order to realise any improvement. What it must do for the contestants is really increase control of focus, sharpen the precision of movement and access <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XVvQzH4CCFq3ZF4x61YRHi_jmIDF-JHLbh8QA_BIEmAID5IyZfXod5IJ0aUscPpwUfr10vCjS3F-X6wbr8wlc2m6glRq2BDsM10lFeyx_14nPdscWQ-Q8Ur4JjipKZlJOjvMDw/s1600/871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XVvQzH4CCFq3ZF4x61YRHi_jmIDF-JHLbh8QA_BIEmAID5IyZfXod5IJ0aUscPpwUfr10vCjS3F-X6wbr8wlc2m6glRq2BDsM10lFeyx_14nPdscWQ-Q8Ur4JjipKZlJOjvMDw/s1600/871.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Scorpion Pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
to stillness. It can be quite mesmerising.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The rules are simple: practise hard, state the choice of pose before beginning, perform it to the best of your ability, keep an even pace, keep breathing silent and finish within 3 minutes. Total silence must accompany a session, and I was mini-policeman in charge of keeping people out at the door, to avoid causing distractions to the athletes, which mostly come from mobile phone ring tones. Points are awarded by the judges, who check for well-paced timing, regular quiet breathing, precision of alignment, stillness, and whether the hand grip is fully on the ankle in standing bow pose. It all amounts to a graceful performance. The judges, often ex-world champions themselves, use their expertise as teachers to assess the performances often down to fine degrees of different points. Anyone having the skill to compete should be congratulated, but to get into the international top ten as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKh-jJbYvg" target="_blank">Alessandro Mauro Vanegas</a> (UK) did, is an achievement indeed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the last day came to a close, with contestants from the USA sweeping the board, it became clear that these yogathletes have developed to an extremely high standard. But they are not unbeatable, as Eric Persson from Sweden, caught up, getting into the top three. But it would <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-tjD2c-sErmG_DckvVz6MHOc1yUCAedx-ZUnPTWGyCZkn9gVd0UoxkIIAZBKXhyNdGA8HQ3ciPdsQu6pnLsg8E_iWyst_szMIPHIEtYyGX0qYtsW7QJ7KqwklNNGHfENjOEbKg/s1600/887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-tjD2c-sErmG_DckvVz6MHOc1yUCAedx-ZUnPTWGyCZkn9gVd0UoxkIIAZBKXhyNdGA8HQ3ciPdsQu6pnLsg8E_iWyst_szMIPHIEtYyGX0qYtsW7QJ7KqwklNNGHfENjOEbKg/s1600/887.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared McCann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
suggest that there is better, or more frequent coaching and/or funding for Bikram yoga training in the USA than in the UK or other countries. <br /><br />The event brought mostly aficionados, yoga lovers, but I talked to a lady from Sheffield, who I could have sworn looked like the writer, Karen Armstrong. She had come to see her daughter compete. She said it is amazing to see how all the competitors are such great friends. Most likely there is a respect rather than rivalry in the green room where Mary Jarvis prepared the athletes for their moment on stage. Yogathletes will happily share the top positions if they happen to be in the top ten. A healthy form of rivalry may be necessary to give contestants an edge, but everyone who does Bikram knows how hard it is to be really exceptional; so they are more inclined to stand back and admire those who have put in the work. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3wYcQnCtLtQJiXUPyh9_P3lK2YGy-lTuiL00GLIFjFHSTfjODs_lmQQ-nsqJ8g9-hbj3zSeoZBdqhvvPSHESrWdDJK2fnhzTMk071eRPzMTrxxQHJctYrrzePkimkcQ5NjRAKg/s1600/920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3wYcQnCtLtQJiXUPyh9_P3lK2YGy-lTuiL00GLIFjFHSTfjODs_lmQQ-nsqJ8g9-hbj3zSeoZBdqhvvPSHESrWdDJK2fnhzTMk071eRPzMTrxxQHJctYrrzePkimkcQ5NjRAKg/s1600/920.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zeb Homison</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year it was Zeb Homison's (USA) turn to be number one, and Jared McCann (USA) obliged to take second place. But only by one point. Eric Persson (Sweden) came third. A few people mentioned that Michael Eley, the reigning UK champion, did not take part due to an injury, otherwise he might have ruffled feathers in the top three. Among the women, Gloria Suen (USA) won, with Gianna Purcell (USA) second, and Anna Cadkova (Czech Republic) demonstrated a perfected skill. In the youth division, Danton Lee Delchuk (Canada) took first place for the boys and Jana Sougata (India) for the girls. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A real highlight of the event is the performance of last year's champions with Jared McCann really showing his level-best sustaining a one-handed peacock pose for well over two minutes, and even laughing casually in the middle of poses, showing his innate sense of control and confidence. Chaukai Stefanie Ngai, last year's winner in the women's division, gave a beautiful, highly polished demonstration of some seriously advanced poses. <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is not
just the athleticism that amazes us when someone nails a pose with
technical precision, but the art inherent in the balance
required to sustain the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwv15jf8czX0FLIsB2w6O21Xns3TlAxUf3i5HYlBwBiIAnjz-AHk0Nxg1MbXl2KZ3cnZivDcUJd3oQSyQi7xLg5P0qY15uSldl_zPRjM7xDCB4IxbyMOeqr88nxJKQavEd8Vx_w/s1600/888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwv15jf8czX0FLIsB2w6O21Xns3TlAxUf3i5HYlBwBiIAnjz-AHk0Nxg1MbXl2KZ3cnZivDcUJd3oQSyQi7xLg5P0qY15uSldl_zPRjM7xDCB4IxbyMOeqr88nxJKQavEd8Vx_w/s1600/888.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared McCann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
silhouette the pose creates. It’s a combination
of physical prowess, mental focus and mind-body coordination, plus an
understanding of how it looks visually from outside for people
observing. All of these build strength, poise and technical skill which combined, comprise the beauty of the pose. <a href="http://manaliving.com/family/craig-villani/" target="_blank">Craig Villani</a>'s droll commentary throughout kept it fairly light and breezy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before the awards were issued, Rajashree Choudhury spoke at the point of tears about how valuable these competitions are. She first started in yoga through local competitions in villages, which was how she met Bikram. She mentioned the struggles and challenges of getting the championship rolling, and sustaining it with proper funding and countering all the attacks, which yoga even helps you to endure. These words came from the heart. That's where it's best to leave it - in the heart centre. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She said "We all belong to one big yoga family," but like all families, there are disagreements. The point is that the prestige of yoga has grown enormously in the West, perhaps even <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS_gVPOvlzzTSfdk55XFOF8U9op8qvse5REeMTtVTjT1hhHOnwdOqD9k3f-RgH2qxKUhSWUN8uCMBotfjnNKfs-k9CpJsIQIjVGoIdgwkTRtZv8JiOSe3agDJVhG2Lu-DJH4w3Q/s1600/923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS_gVPOvlzzTSfdk55XFOF8U9op8qvse5REeMTtVTjT1hhHOnwdOqD9k3f-RgH2qxKUhSWUN8uCMBotfjnNKfs-k9CpJsIQIjVGoIdgwkTRtZv8JiOSe3agDJVhG2Lu-DJH4w3Q/s1600/923.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
because of difficult, transitional times. Yoga has the power to be a catalyst to personal change and development. It can help marry the body to the mind and spirit, where those may have been split off. Yoga can help you to be able to overcome the odds, and feel released and strong through practice, ready to take on more challenges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Yoga Sports Federation competition is just one of many forms of the expression of this great shift to a deeper understanding of the impact of yoga. Roll on next year to see who else can show the world they've pulled it all together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>"Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralysed. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as bird wings."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Rumi </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=eqF9mIXnqWI" target="_blank">Watch a video slide show of the Competition here:</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Namaste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">©<b> Kieron Devlin, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all rights reserved</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-62838386621415287962014-05-05T12:43:00.003+01:002014-05-05T14:33:40.734+01:00Frank Spragg remembered, Artwork for Charity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Frank Spragg was an artful speaker: he nailed <i>bon mots</i> for breakfast, coined witty <i>tourneurs des phrases</i> before lunch, told hilarious stories at dinner. People wanted to hear him speak again and again. He was an artist too in his spare time and in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" target="_blank">gallery of his work</a> you can see his roving eye at play. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS4e8C2xOKKT_mEdEuZ2YyftGx90vT_C6CwqJgJZanaw2G5vKfdoH-DeGxyBKGNbtuEzLmCokqpyHKM3yE6LaJp8TQ0_dB2qHPxtbxOqpgiFpCw1WUVXnb-z3yMB4pHmuHD_0Vg/s1600/Interval_drinks.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interval Drinks</i>: Frank Spragg</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One might say he was very Frank. Being Frank was his nature. Yet he really disclosed very little about himself. He was more of an entertainer, the centre of attention in any room. He was contradictory, and totally irascible. There never was a sharper tongue, or a haughtier look down the nose through glasses in the teachers’ room. The effect was either stitches or tears. Nor was there one more capable of getting already super fluent diplomat's daughters happily through their Proficiency English tests, giving them the impression that they’d learned something new and vital. <br /><br />He was a good mimic, so could accurately satirise anyone’s walk, pet phrase or accent so his Indian landlady came in for a drubbing, with hilarious consequences. But she took that well. He had a series of Spraggianisms for which he became famous. One he'd say was ‘Abbysinia, instead of 'I'll be seeing you'- as he left you at the station, and his listing of Italian girls names "Pamela, Carlotta, Maria, Laura, Federica, Giulia...Cinderella," in a class provoked mirth. It was just the way he did it with a kindly, but waspish edge. His aim was to entertain people, so he loved nothing <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUoVyRJLiN3elkrRGvWvEMLeu1qOgqMX1qqrteIwzSAMeWoTBKropAaDgjRG7bjF0UtaT3JRfV5km2vKu2ADpFzfY-Xy7pw8v9PT0YpsWTfsYCFyx0Lpg3_wFSpsP8DxhlWM8YQ/s1600/Lady_in_Mauve.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" target="_blank"><i>Lady in Mauve</i>: Frank Spragg</a></td></tr>
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more than to have those who listened attentively - and did not interrupt - around him, to delight them with crackpot anecdotes. These were drawn from scrapes he’d been in, with bosses and colleagues, or meetings with locals, of his adventures and travels across in Iran - he was there during the coup - in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and in Libya and all over Europe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He devoured books but only toyed with food which he dribbled across the plate like a footballer in training. He loathed onions, green peppers, and could eat only bland foods, like omelettes, and poached eggs, but was overly fond of tea and cake, and Italian ice cream. He read shelf loads of biographies, novels, histories, but had a special fondness for Stendhal. He adored glamourous femme fatales from the 30s and 40s Hollywood period and had even written a biography of Barbara Stanwyck, whom he said was the greatest noir vamp. He could remember every line from every film she made: "I need him like the axe needs a turkey" from 'The Lady Eve' (1941). Stanwyck was most likely his obsession, possibly even his alter ego, but the manuscript was lost in all his moonlight flits from flat to flat. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymxuDreRQVzdUz08LnIsBff1I8HdOIfv_Bqig6no9Qt_trMaPz8o0A5agFSVJsDpk9bTNm8JrgDL_Gs6aLgmp9JxxBhN9w75nNQDmzQuRZLnxsmHYAQelYw_mxi4Z7P0IchUipw/s1600/Strolling_Along_22.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" target="_blank"><i>Strolling Along:</i> Frank Spragg</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He loved classical music, especially Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. But he was not good on modern authors, loathed TV, nor was he good on computers, or technical gadgetry, even a mobile phone befuddled him. He lived frugally, without a carpet, or minimal luxuries in a tiny flat in Clerkenwell and although if he liked you, he was kind but he was always expect you to pay your way and never offered to pay for anything. Perhaps he was fearful of being exploited. That made going on holiday with him a tad difficult but in a good mood, his greatest talent was for anecdote. <br /><br />While others struggled to express themselves, Frank had already taken the prize and wandered off with the money. That was the sense of humour that, unless you laughed hard, you could be on the wrong side of. He was a prolific letter writer and artist. After he died I realised I still had the letters he’d sent to me rammed to the margins with illustrations. I’m not very good at throwing things away. The artworks were distributed among friends, but I was given some of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Frank had only one exhibition in a small hotel in Paris. The manageress had invited him to display his work. I don't think he sold any but it marked a new height in his confidence. He used crayons a lot, and while the drawings are simple and direct, his powers of observation are sharp, often getting the character through people’s gestures. He would sit in the park and draw whoever happened to be lounging around or picnicking. Only occasionally, he asked people to pose for portraits, so a lot of them are faceless, as he just wanted to capture the fleeting glance, and observation casually from a distance suited him best. He would work up the drawings later using ink, more intense colours, including a characteristic black outline. There is a series of elegant legs in shoes which owes something to Andy Warhol’s though I’m sure he would have feigned never having seen the Warhol shoe series from the 1950s. Completed mostly in the eighties and nineties, these drawings and sketches bring back Frank to me as if he were still here. They have a unique flourish that is Frank's. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46v3Qede6_s" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmq_6yAUnNkIumcXx1edZtDbaHK_5n_buLPR6fgtJz0cuOie0nGaB-L6P5xeBCXxkGl9kGSX-R_OqErbK3oRLFhmGIkgyowK_kB7xdqQnL94rE21SecM3muGv5k9ARd76VEEfTQ/s1600/profile.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Once I remember his saying that he wanted something of his, to a charity in Africa. Giving money to charity should come with all the usual warnings, since there have been scams. Charity also brings up the question of whether it does not substitute for real justice, it just deals with symptoms and not causes, and that it serves to keep people helpless and codependent, and the whole system is riddles with scams, but the story of the boy with the starfish should settle this score:<br /><br /><i>Once upon a time, a man walking along a beach saw a boy picking up starfish and throwing them into the sea.<br /><br />He asked the boy why he was throwing starfish into the sea.<br /><br />The boy replied, "The tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll dry up and die."<br /><br />The man smiled patronisingly and said, "But, there are miles of beach and thousands of starfish on every mile. You can't possibly make a difference!"<br /><br />The boy smiled, bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the sea.<br /><br />"Well," he said, "I made a difference for that one."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i><br />These are just some suggestions of where you might send money should the spirit move you:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Get water to African Villages: <a href="http://thewaterproject.org/sponsor-a-well-in-africa" target="_blank">The Water Project</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sponsor a child or orphan: <a href="http://www.sponsorachild.org.uk/different-uk-child-sponsor-charities" target="_blank">Sponsor a Child</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide basic literacy in places where it is not common: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNhLgn1VsG4" target="_blank">Room to Read</a> at www.roomtoread.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sponsor children (site is German) <a href="http://african-angel.de/en/home.html" target="_blank">African Angel</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And of course - why not - Tom Daley's charity efforts <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Tom-Daley1" target="_blank">Just Giving Page.</a> I feel sure Frank would have approved of Tom Daley.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />So little is known about Frank that it might have to be made up, something that would make him smile as long as it was flattering. So what can I make up? He managed to convince everyone that he was 20 years younger than he was even without ever dying his hair- to discover his age when he died was a shock- but he died young at heart, but no one would believe that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It may seem odd that I'm doing this little homage now ten years after his death, but that's the thing about people who leave this life. They are still around somehow. I get visitations from Frank in dreams and in thoughts since everyday I pass where he used to lived. The flashbacks appear and it will make me laugh out loud again, how irascible was Frank, I </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">chuckle. He always had the last word and it does not have to be a bad one. The voices of friends who've passed on stay with us, alarmingly to some, but not so alarmingly when you consider that they are part of consciousness, so their wishes are still somehow intimately connected with our own and for this to manifest now only shows that it can take a long time, but it still may bear some fruit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">©<b> Kieron Devlin, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all rights reserved</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span></div>
KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-75046186867915506732014-04-29T23:59:00.002+01:002014-05-07T23:44:19.205+01:00How to Jeepstart the present using music from the past.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flashback to 1971. The colour’s hazy in my mind but my memory tells me on one side it was spliced down the middle with one hemisphere an iridescent orange, and the other was salmon pink like the label and sleeve. But apparently it was purple. It was a totally beautiful. I was ready to kiss the plastic it seemed so bright. It was a 45 rpm, a small piece of black vinyl with the Fly logo at the top,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ready to be played on the old-style record players with the automatic disc stacker handle and the stylus you clipped in manually, which soon got covered with fluff. A good blow on the needle improved the sound quality. It cost me £1.10 pence, nearly all my weekly wage for doing the butcher’s round which I did on a clunky old, heavy-framed black bicycle with a basket in front, just like characters in the <i>Beano </i>and <i>Dandy</i>. I had pounds of beef, brisket, offal, prime cuts, and sausage strings wrapped in grease proof paper, and learned to be wary of salivating dogs lurking behind garden gates. But that didn't matter one jot. When I got home, I could play my records. This one song by T. Rex, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5m8w2VK79k&list=RDvpMlY3jyQJ8" target="_blank"><i>Jeepster</i></a>, was the coolest thing on the planet, until of course Bowie's <i>Starman</i> landed a few months later. It was the second single I ever bought. The first was <i>Nathan Jones</i> by the Supremes, with its oddly melancholic stereo phase shifting moments, but that's another story, leading down the road of Disco music, and that other life of twirling on the seventies dancefloor. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5m8w2VK79k&list=RDvpMlY3jyQJ8" target="_blank"><i>Jeepster </i></a>got me to vamp it up in the bedroom, and swish my head with imaginary corkscrew curls, doing a Bolanesque strum on my air guitar. 'You slide so good,' I pouted to myself in the mirror. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There was only one shop in the entire town that would stock T. Rex, and would know who Marc Bolan was - Malcolm’s. Malcolm, himself, the man who owned the shop, was ace. He knew we would only be satisfied with the very latest records. Amazingly, this shop is still there, 40 years later. Woolworths, the big department store, would be no use since they only stocked middle-of- the-road music, only the popular end of the market. My mother bought her Jim Reeves and Nat King Cole LPs there. Enough said. I would put <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5m8w2VK79k&list=RDvpMlY3jyQJ8" target="_blank"><i>Jeepster</i> </a>on when no one else was in the house. I’d close my eyes and dream of Marc Bolan’s dark pixie corkscrew curls, pouting lips, satin jackets and spangled face, a flick of the wrist that ejaculated a power chord enough to knock your head off. I had pictures of him from the pop song magazines, in Jackie which I stole from my sister. She liked David Cassidy, and consequently knew nothing about what was really cool. My younger brother liked Slade which was even worse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unlike John Peel, I didn’t care if Bolan had abandoned acoustic; electric was just fine. But it was the animal squeal that was the dollop of ecstatic icing. ‘Girl I’m just a vampire for your love, n I’m gonna SUCK ya!!!!’ I was not a girl, but I knew that didn’t matter either, as in Bolan's T. Rex world, he was really singing that to me. It turned me into nothing but a 'raw ramp'. Give me a microphone and I’d swallow it. I was that hub-cabbed diamond star halo he talked about in <i>Get it On</i>. Bolan's screech in the coda was enough to shock my mum. That made it rank highly for me. The big pleasure was to tell my friends at school. Have you heard <i>Jeepster</i>? Are you a <i>Jeepster</i>? Can you talk the Jeepster talk? Can you be a schoolboy Jeepster? I don’t think I ever realized until this day that I had no idea what a <i>Jeepster </i>was, but I was one when I was thirteen.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> No one in my home town had ever owned such a funky vehicle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So what has all this to do with my life now? A whole lot. By invoking this memory, by reliving it, unpacking it in its sensory detail, sound, colour, movement, even taste, even down to the exact sequence, I can feel that energy all over again, and funnel it to anything today that I'm procrastinating about. This gives it that badly needed kickstart. Plus, I can just feel the love, and gratitude to Bolan for making it possible. Feeling love and gratitude again in this day and age is almost a miraculous achievement. The odds are stacked against us, with a whole list of modern and technological frustrations bleeding away this energy and sapping our life force. Fusing love, gratitude, excitement and enthusiasm for an aural peak experience from a time before the internet, before downloads and streaming, is therefore a triumph. It is a magnificent tool to play with and one that we can call on to give us strength when we most need it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your mind is a vast storehouse of items, which can be drawn on like a long forgotten bank account. All it takes is a bit of time to reflect back. This can help access the riches that already exist just lying about in the attics and basements of our experience. I usually say to clients in hypnotherapy sessions, 'just scan through the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQNAOmASmCLimBB_8Y-v3cEfORtUFgrgY7Unix0yMD069g0pXOAIKolyA_Smv5yU0754zFJ__WBgQsZrkWLfF426PAr-luz-PrgyAmHbSB3-r2sBTFTfOvBDkOcI2akcg-qIqHA/s1600/Jeepster+Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQNAOmASmCLimBB_8Y-v3cEfORtUFgrgY7Unix0yMD069g0pXOAIKolyA_Smv5yU0754zFJ__WBgQsZrkWLfF426PAr-luz-PrgyAmHbSB3-r2sBTFTfOvBDkOcI2akcg-qIqHA/s1600/Jeepster+Cover.png" height="320" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
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Rolodex of memories' to find a moment when you felt excited, or in love, or successful, or calm and at peace.It is these feelings we need to loop back to the present wherever they are deficient. This phrase is very effective because the image of a Rolodex means we can flick through a multiple store, our much undervalued inner archives, just as computers do. This way we find we have much more than we thought, and the number of memories is staggering. Such visual flourishes embedded in metaphors are shorthand for complex psychological processes of sifting, sorting, collating and assigning meaning, whether negative or positive. All that can be turned around by a few actions. It is well known as the <a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">NLP </a>technique of 'firing an anchor.' All that means is using a gesture to re-trigger a memory in a certain direction by repeatedly connecting the senses to a strong memory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can relive a piece of enthusiasm that only first timers know, first record, first taste of certain food, smell of flowers, first travel abroad, first exotic beach, first kiss, first love. There's a strength to the experience that does not diminish with time. In <i>Private Lives</i> by Noel Coward, there's a line that expresses it so well: 'Strange how potent cheap music is'. Potent indeed- it's the right word. But not necessarily cheap since random and apparently valueless memories can be transformed into wealth. So build your store of riches!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is part of your heritage to have memories of all your first times encoded into your subconscious which misses nothing, records everything. And its potency is often overlooked in our search to solve our current problems. So tap into your memories and have fun with the flashbacks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turn them into flash forwards and you can jumpstart the electric current needed to fuel some new venture, to restore faith, or energy and get on with boogieing with Bolan- or your favourite golden oldie- if that's what it takes to move your forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">©<b> Kieron Devlin, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all rights reserved</span><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-46102278828199881032014-04-26T23:57:00.003+01:002014-05-05T12:46:21.903+01:00COSMOS and PSYCHE: Intimations of a New World View ( 2006) Richard Tarnas, Plume edition.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />During key moments of my life, I have often felt the need to acknowledge something momentous and awe-inspiring in astrology, sending messages to us from unseen forces.We just had to decode it, if only we could read the signs. It is hard not to notice that this month, April 2014, we are at a pivotal moment, poised between two eclipses and locked in a Cardinal Grand Cross that people might be feeling the internal tug-of-war, urging dramatic change in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Astrology is enigmatic, yet everyday; obvious, yet maddeningly elusive: untouchable, yet at the same time prostituted everywhere as a common superstition. It is not easy to understand in depth, yet is incredibly easy to simplify into a stock set of character types, and ridicule the true riches it has to offer. The debate over the legitimacy of astrology has raged for centuries; it has been labelled 'quackery' by the so called 'real' custodians of knowledge; and it has been vilified by the Church as a form of black magic, yet also pursued in secret by more than a few world leaders (Reagan famously consulted an astrologer) seeking to bargain with fate. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Umberto Stanucci (image)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That a natal birth chart could offer a snapshot of the interplay of archetypes in our character - read ‘personality DNA’ - has long been a source of fascination. How could that be so? Yet, ask yourself how many of your best friends happen to have the same sign, or element? How many of the events in your life tied in with sextiles, oppositions, squares and transits of the heavyweight planets? Why should any of this even be true once, let alone repeatedly and with a staggering exactitude if there’s no substance to it? The trouble is it takes a lifetime to track such patterns. Yet tracking them really can provide some eye opening insights into the uniqueness of the patterning of a single life. After reading Tarnas'<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJzAkEtVTuI" target="_blank">Cosmos and Psyche</a></i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJzAkEtVTuI" target="_blank"> </a>(2006) I felt prompted to put a few words together on this puzzle written in the stars. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How to begin about<i> </i>this cornucopia of ideas<i>?</i> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm
inclined to agree with a reviewer, Mary Hynes, who said "This is the
closest my head has been to exploding while reading a book". </span>It blows the mind open, gently yet relentlessly. Tarnas’s style is methodical and assured and his range is staggering.By reading it, vast chasms appear to expertly illustrated with new relevance and you cannot but feel more expanded in scale and panoramic breadth of vision. It transports the reader to an elevated, but intricately woven insider’s viewpoint that adroitly illuminates all that we (thought) we knew about history and culture and then turns all that on its head. If the <i>Passion of the Western Mind</i> (1991) was Tarnas’ <i>Ulysees</i> then<i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJzAkEtVTuI" target="_blank">Cosmos and Psyche</a></i> is most definitely his <i>Finnegan’s Wake</i>; the first, charted the conscious ideas that have shaped the Western world view; the second, is attempted map, no less, of the unconscious mind of the entire universe - at least thus far. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br />You might think that this book is difficult to read, but just like the multiple and repeated cycles that appear like motifs in a symphony, the writing is expertly controlled. It flows well for 544 pages of dense information, allowing for much previewing, subtle iteration, layering of themes and accumulation of impact, building up to Wagnerian crescendos worthy of </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwLaJhy8Jjct6E6S0rwYntOwa-eOQQOYb5rfOeKqQ1S3TITgodr0wwYcIEw_IAsexomyagL9zfsFQ3tatI5hyw6LGx5-aU6FKaY2HZ7pA8S6ZwT34MyWFuK7H3btDa_Ai32VBfA/s1600/AstrologynAlchemy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwLaJhy8Jjct6E6S0rwYntOwa-eOQQOYb5rfOeKqQ1S3TITgodr0wwYcIEw_IAsexomyagL9zfsFQ3tatI5hyw6LGx5-aU6FKaY2HZ7pA8S6ZwT34MyWFuK7H3btDa_Ai32VBfA/s1600/AstrologynAlchemy.png" height="290" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">such a Titanic subject. The wealth of cultural, scientific, historical and literary knowledge in any one person is in itself astonishing- putting aside that Tarnas is a Harvard Professor of Psychology and Philosophy - but in addition to this there is the accumulation of 30 years of careful study of astrology. This is no mere sun-sign coffee table trivia, but the deepest, most profoundly psychological and penetrating set of insights into how planets align with historic processes, leaving their unmistakable stamp upon events. It is rare that such a book comes along and dares to describe the ‘whole’ picture and at the same time revolutionise our previously limited ideas of history and our intimate place within its inexorable, archetypal evolution. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It starts by saying we have not been served well by the loss of meaning to the modern era. Tarnas points to a schism in our understanding of the universe, especially in the modern era. Meaning has become divorced from the world we live in. It often seems random, soulless, impersonal, where we are just cogs in arbitrary mechanical wheels. Shamans however, </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">still
understand that we are intimately connected to the ‘anima mundi’ or
world soul, and astrology may just provide that vital missing link. Yet,
until now it did not seem possible to rejoin ancient hermetic
philosophies with a stark, random, god less, postmodernist universe
which offers no shape or pattern to our lives. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tarnas scrupulously delineates set of correlations and alignments that match</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW4dEDn9u098aFSVnZOvbS3eBhgY2nyMa8buieXZNvNlM4bUH4SfPKOS946CtvtC_hXT3xN5DghMIIV4vvVelO4irsy5VI6JRrLyLzE-fmcAGFATTTFWYyDuWppjDHci-SZIL6g/s1600/Lennon+quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW4dEDn9u098aFSVnZOvbS3eBhgY2nyMa8buieXZNvNlM4bUH4SfPKOS946CtvtC_hXT3xN5DghMIIV4vvVelO4irsy5VI6JRrLyLzE-fmcAGFATTTFWYyDuWppjDHci-SZIL6g/s1600/Lennon+quote.png" height="255" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">up with not just significant turning points in the lives of great leaders, writers, artists and scientists, but also with eras of both turmoil and distinctive progress. This process is not bat-hits-ball Newtonian mechanics, with a simplistic, deterministic, linear causal relationship of material, external forces upon events upon the Earth. The key players are the more recently discovered and less visible outer planets: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJzAkEtVTuI" target="_blank">Saturn, Uranus</a> - which Tarnas defines more
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">correctly as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJzAkEtVTuI" target="_blank">Prometheus- Neptune, and Pluto</a>, which is defined by Tarnas more accurately as Dionysus. Rob Brezsny, who was astrologer for the <i>Village Voice,</i> has cited Tarnas’ book as “the definitive astrology book of the 21st century - probably the 20th too.” Daniel Pinchbeck says that Tarnas has "staked his success and academic reputation on this radical thesis," for example on the idea that from 2006 to 2020 we are experiencing a further period of revolutionary/innovative and radical energy, just as in the 1960s, when Uranus (Prometheus) and Pluto (Dionysus) were in alignment, which - surprise, surprise- also happened to be in alignment during 1797-1789- the French revolution. Even Lennon noted that Love and Peace were not just restricted to the 1960s. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM8SKNqmJvmcRsPAXuKDIy8RS06r8RouqATGvmnQ4qkYk5KHU1mJWyMW_Z5XKNAmzIxZ5E1RoaaZl7Ke8sk-DjJqtm6OVCF8Td9BqPvH9nhbhk8RmjtMnJy2AU6W6z5BdFJXYCw/s1600/MedievalAstrologicalBody.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM8SKNqmJvmcRsPAXuKDIy8RS06r8RouqATGvmnQ4qkYk5KHU1mJWyMW_Z5XKNAmzIxZ5E1RoaaZl7Ke8sk-DjJqtm6OVCF8Td9BqPvH9nhbhk8RmjtMnJy2AU6W6z5BdFJXYCw/s1600/MedievalAstrologicalBody.png" height="400" width="305" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Tarnas is careful to emphasise that it works more subtlely as archetypal and dynamic energies that unfold and express themselves in diverse ways, depending on the circumstances. The same planetary influence can manifest quite differently, multiplying the possibilities and permutations. C.G. Jung talked of the need to discern ‘symbolic patterning’ in events, which is a skill that requires development for most of us. All 'synchronicity' suggests is that two things occurring together have a meaning, and are not just happenstance. Knowledge of the positions of planets in our natal charts, and of the transits and progressions,the alliance with our own inner archetypes can allow us to have a more creative approach to cyclical shifts and changes occurring now and over the next decade. You can obtain your chart from <a href="http://astro.cafeastrology.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Astrology.</a> It is work taking the time to study. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Tarnas’s grand breathtaking sweep of history/science/events is interlinked with the movements of planets. It underscores the old esoteric proverb ‘as above, so below’ of the Hermetic Philosophers. We ourselves are living out these archetypal patterns. The planets are not stuck out in space somewhere, but are alive in our own psyches as living dramas. He recognised that the extraordinary changes during the 1960s aligned closely with the only conjunction of Uranus (Prometheus) and Pluto (Dionysus) of the 20th century. The precision of these alignments can be mapped across centuries to evidence common traits - e.g for the Pluto Uranus transits, revolution and radical, cathartic transformation which are associated with those planets. This leads to the sense that a design is at work, awakening new strands in human behaviour, and how these developments work themselves out in history, aligns rather too neatly with the aspects and transits for other explanations to carry weight equal Tarnas' proposition. Our current social and cultural transformations in the second decade of the 21st century are an echo and final fruition of what erupted in the 1960s, and should give us clues into what may continue to develop. This suggests that the predictive power of astrology comes from understanding larger cycles, rather than merely 'seeing' the future. The impulse for radical change is still certainly on the cards, as we have witnessed in the past few years, in the growth of feminism, the overthrow of corrupt governments, the redress of social justice, progress for gay rights, eco-activism and technological advancements that exhibit increased global consciousness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />In short there is a grandeur that inevitably emerges from this new 'world view,' this illuminated understanding that astrology and history are thoroughly enmeshed. We have shifted from the old heliocentric model too, and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kieron.devlin" target="_blank">spiral dynamic view of the universe</a> is gaining force. The universe can no longer be 'flat' or even 'round' but a vortex, and one of many in a multi-verse. Tarnas' does not touch on that, but his approach is delightfully cross-disciplinary in that it has managed to join quite a few dots across previously divided fields of study, from depth psychology (which was itself considered pseudo science only a hundred years ago) to astrology, from science to art, to make the previously fragmented picture we had of the world ‘whole’ again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">©<b> Kieron Devlin, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all rights reserved</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-48170646130820045142014-04-19T13:33:00.002+01:002014-05-12T07:11:33.363+01:00Street Art in Brick Lane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps the fewer words the better about this topic of street art as it speaks for itself and does not require a degree in Art to understand. Street art by definition is for everyone who can see it, not just a few profiteers and collectors that build up value in terms of rarity and exclusivity. It encourages collective viewing. It has mass appeal because it is so direct. It is not called 'street' art for nothing. That's where people find it, on side streets, broken brick walls, high above doors, or perched on lintels or even as sculpture hidden on lamp posts or as subverted street signs. It is not just stencil and anarchic statement either, as Bansky, Robbo and Blek le Rat have made popular. Nor is it just symbols as signatures of the artist, but can have a whole range of styles, from subtle portraiture to more screen-print style Pop art devices using simple blocks of colour, and even pointillist technique of bleeding colour dots.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjrVX6xT5yvUFo0-Cz3SKFklXXNvYS9vgj6qQabU2ZZCPi1gcUXkkVP9uJiqDbLzesCxRvgZWVkbHVSegaoynh_54oe3ygsf0mEGCbPExIi7B9abWSamCyQtwDEyWkmsuWb_Xig/s1600/Banksy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjrVX6xT5yvUFo0-Cz3SKFklXXNvYS9vgj6qQabU2ZZCPi1gcUXkkVP9uJiqDbLzesCxRvgZWVkbHVSegaoynh_54oe3ygsf0mEGCbPExIi7B9abWSamCyQtwDEyWkmsuWb_Xig/s1600/Banksy.png" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bansky's latest work in Bristol</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Street art is differentiated from graffiti because it is more than just someone spray painting their name in fat, squidgy lettering as fast as they can, then running away because it is illegal. It requires planning, intelligence, skill and can be surprisingly innovative and thought provoking. It is graffiti that has earned its 'bad boy' reputation. It is not all by guys either. As Bansky says in <i>Wall and Piece</i> "People think that graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish....But that's only if it is done properly." It takes it out of the 'trophy cabinet' and delivers it back to the people. In this way, its controversial side is sealed. The debate on whether it is vandalism or the most genuine 'public' art may rage on for a while yet as his new work has proved. Paradoxically, it may even end up being shown in a real gallery since it was removed from the wall it first appeared on. What you think about it, depends entirely on your point of view, as some people now are taking it apart brick by brick claiming to preserve it (but later to sell it). Others object to its surreptitious tactics. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Street
art is a very contemporary form of art, and part of a
huge movement across the world to challenge what is public property. This has taken it to a new level. </span>A new gallery <a href="http://www.myartinvest.com/en/" target="_blank">My Art Invest</a> has just opened in Shoreditch where people can buy and sell shares in famous street art works, inspiring young investors, using a system of co-ownership, creating a kind of alternative art market, but it still remains contradictory and challenging to conventional perceptions of what constitutes valuable art and how that should be displayed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just let the variety of styles fill your eyes in these images here, and marvel at its ingenuity. Even the guerilla tactics can be admired for keeping the public on their toes. The artists themselves are too numerous to mention. But I have a few personal favourites. Most of them can be found on and around the walls and streets of Brick Lane. This goes way beyond just Banksy stencils with their anarchistic statements. Bansky is only the most famous name. He has paved the way for others like <a href="http://roaweb.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">ROA</a>, famous for huge animals, Louis Masai, </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Milo Tchais, Bom.K and Liliwen, Otto Schade, and Ben Slow to also gain acclaim. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who, for example, could have imagined a huge suspended bow and arrow positioned across from one building to the back of another where you can see the shower of arrows landing into the brick wall. This expertly utilises the public space near the Truman Brewery in a way no art gallery could ever emulate, making the entire street part of the context of the art, and making the viewing experience less exclusive, more inclusive and much more immediate.There are frequent sightings of new sculptures, little moulded pieces on crumbling brick walls, or tiny artworks pinned to the walls for people to take as they please. Also key symbols such as the credit crunch monster, the pixellated alien face, and other more elaborate paintings, one is even scratched on glass rather than drawn, having a refined etching quality to it. </span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfQPVvbmJQQ-UnxJgrnSQbHK8rlHv-Sx9DNeiXA3xgse_k0y5yI2nzjKTDncCMuuqVo2eO-py6N045syat_wQ-hWtprJfCnApFWzzK0fDjuUqH7LgrTrqlYGO8np-iYPl6yjObA/s1600/Street+Art+2.png" height="370" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UCVXXeBFIU&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Click to View Slideshow</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The variety is remarkable. Some styles are more sophisticated, like the girl's face and hooded face on Whitby Street by <a href="http://www.akajimmyc.com/" target="_blank">Jimmy C</a>. He uses an 'aerosol pointillist' technique, using dots of colour, and requiring great skill in the placement of each dot, creating overall harmony. Yet it retains the drips, which are the signature of a 'street' artist. Many other works still retaining the signature dripping of paint style to prove it has to be executed at speed like a hit and run car crash. Another Italian artist uses a style similar to Jean-Michel Basquiat's, and goes by the number <a href="http://www.108nero.com/" target="_blank">108</a> rather than a name, and <a href="http://www.blublu.org/" target="_blank">Blu</a> also from </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir226g4hqAsuBi8Sf43E4i_LKd1nOy_pVfXCgdjLeodw40MySB8bQzmL5kYS-f9IK81uC3fALvrjFvRhNBDN1YL2K9VBv_VZpVSIBurxZVDWm6cI41pOFQCnvgI5Bv6qaRbzF3JQ/s1600/Brick+Lane.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir226g4hqAsuBi8Sf43E4i_LKd1nOy_pVfXCgdjLeodw40MySB8bQzmL5kYS-f9IK81uC3fALvrjFvRhNBDN1YL2K9VBv_VZpVSIBurxZVDWm6cI41pOFQCnvgI5Bv6qaRbzF3JQ/s1600/Brick+Lane.png" height="200" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Start around Fashion Street and keep looking</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Italy is already a favourite, as he makes videos of how his paintings progress across walls and buildings. The flow of invention is evident. 108's Nero's works however are recognisably distinct from Basquiat's. That is what adds to the excitement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">All of this worth viewing when you are tired of the two Tates. You just have to walk around Brick Lane near Fashion Street to find them. It is a gallery hidden in plain sight that belongs to the whole community of, not just the people who live around there, but everyone who walks through, making the entire area between Aldgate East and Shoreditch stations a kind of free public exhibition space. Each day it changes, and you might be the one to find a brand new artwork.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©</span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Kieron Devlin, 2014</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">all rights reserved </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">www.kierondevlin.com</span></a><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0London, UK51.508515 -0.1254871999999522851.192402 -0.77093419999995227 51.824628000000004 0.51995980000004771tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-29138199968450398752014-04-10T21:45:00.000+01:002014-05-05T13:52:18.954+01:00Psychedelic Posters: How they Exploded our Minds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sixties Psychedelic Posters: How they exploded our minds</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now that we can acknowledge the contribution of the sixties at a safe distance from its turmoil, it is remarkable to see how its influence continues to spread. Posters played a key role in this dissemination of libertarian ideas. Recently, there was an exhibition of the impact of Pop Art at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Tucked away upstairs was a row of psychedelic posters of the Beatles and Donovan and I realised how much the visual language of mind-bending substances has seeped into the general culture since the heyday of pill popping on fields of festival mud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some random thoughts embedded in a short <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_ZEaBWN_x0" target="_blank">video</a> to underscore how the sixties really did alter the way we see things. If these posters seems normal now it is because we have absorbed the visual tricks. The photos in the video are my own and contain reflective glass, which I retained as interesting and self mirroring in and of themselves, as the 'trompe l'oeil' effect puts the mind in not one but two minds. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBfaNJla7uR5VKfQVoLFZcp8qw_sjwN6PYiTIlnABEAh2U9mst0gpZw2D8jh59N2Tmy9tRwd61wl0z5rUHqVEHSdQP4TKC3SUcN9Sq6uv1KT-M-7a_YbUBso2wy2qJufBcMgwOQ/s3200/DylanPoster.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBfaNJla7uR5VKfQVoLFZcp8qw_sjwN6PYiTIlnABEAh2U9mst0gpZw2D8jh59N2Tmy9tRwd61wl0z5rUHqVEHSdQP4TKC3SUcN9Sq6uv1KT-M-7a_YbUBso2wy2qJufBcMgwOQ/s3200/DylanPoster.png" height="640" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bob Dylan Poster on Copper Plate</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The root
of “psychedelic” is two fold: 'psyche' meaning 'mind or soul', and 'delos' meaning 'manifesting. So this is a 'mind manifesting' kind of experience, as triggered frequently by acid or mushroom trips, but which can also be accessed less directly through yoga and meditation techniques. It is both visceral and visual, stimulating the optic nerve and even triggering the activation of the pineal gland, the third eye. Anyone who closes their eyes, and sees visions will know this. But, it is more than just a lava-lamp style projection of gloopy shapes. Colours are rarely muddy or dull, but eye-poppingly iridescent, starkly contrastive, and sparking with the laser-light Shiva dance of energy molecules: Once this is experienced first hand, it is rarely forgotten. Even if you have not 'seen' it, you may receive a whiff of visual otherness from looking at the explosion of posters from the sixties. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The psychedelic poster distinguished itself from other posters by its dazzling visual effects. One aspect of these posters that stands out is that apparently solid boundaries became blurred suggesting the world we are accustomed to is not stable, but a portal to other dimensions that remain hidden to our everyday perception. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some
of the best posters even used a copper plate for their effect like the one of 'Bob Dylan'. Its swirls have a metallic tint, echoing the use
of iridescent colours elsewhere</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcUj4LafRR3wm9STAR6nuHSEQSG_zh45FwfhUVQVWB34hKXnFD3Gkg08oyJsIlZZQUnWaghriG6t0xJorOC9M3VHk7zQrxnJGrqpxKowEkLKWDAnB1ng8eZrrSzG0ywlrrpFC7Q/s1600/George+Harrison+Poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcUj4LafRR3wm9STAR6nuHSEQSG_zh45FwfhUVQVWB34hKXnFD3Gkg08oyJsIlZZQUnWaghriG6t0xJorOC9M3VHk7zQrxnJGrqpxKowEkLKWDAnB1ng8eZrrSzG0ywlrrpFC7Q/s1600/George+Harrison+Poster.png" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">George Harrison and the Third Eye</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>An experimental development in the sixties was in the light show to accompany rock concerts. Joshua Light Show performed alongside Jefferson Airplane, Tim Buckley, and Spirit at the Fillmore East between 1968-71. These light shows were projected over the performers using colour wheels, aluminium foils, overlayed with original film footage forming a constantly changing montage of the real and unreal. It is difficult to encapsulate the 3D into the 2D print format, yet that is what the simple screen print sixties poster attempted. Screen printing offered the potential suggesting a bleed effect apparently melting the solid world, proving Einstein's E= MC squared theory that matter is vibrating energy. The other aspect is the fractal style, where each part, geometrically precise is repeated endlessly to form a larger whole. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blake's famous lines are very evocative at this point: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>"To see a world </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>in a grain of sand </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>and heaven in a wild flower. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>To hold infinity </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>in the palm of your hand </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>and eternity in an hour." </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYM27HTy75iDZ-p8fY6D_ctHLlZcHWVUAfPnnIIFuUOzr9Ltu8JqD1c4SEtXeORNY1V29lXi0P068Fo6vr2iIsoIRWhyphenhyphenNHIWC5HXu05emtKmfDXC8KOwOFC_NG-6-H2SOVcz-5A/s3200/PsychedelicPoster.png" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="270" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wes Wilson Poster</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The person who had a great impact was Wes Wilson who was willing to experiment with distortions of the usually geometrically strict style of typographic design so you got a lot of squidgy-looking letter shapes, reminiscent of Art Nouveau, but taking it further to a full on optical illusion where the letters have an elasticity all of their own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I looked longer, the images can become hypnotic, as they typify Optical illusions, which for a hypnotherapist is always intriguing as it automatically propels clients into an interior space. But this impact works on the viewer as an aesthetic experience too. Just how long does it take when gazing at an image to become lost in a trance? A few seconds? Each face locates you at the doorway to another world, yet it also reflects the self through the windows of the eyes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stare at the eyes long enough and you're gone into that space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The focus on faces is also typical of Pop Art, which was exerting massive influence with the screen print work of Andy Warhol. Such images of pop stars such as John Lennon, George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix are drawn from photographic images. These lend themselves easily to becoming iconic, as areas of the face do not have the subtlety and shading of realism, but need to reduce shapes to bold, simple forms, suggesting the subjects are god-like, and transcend the real.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqEZxJP3WF587FQYmo3Hte0LmY7wH_uShfiEAnxGKwxqi5kMWFN3R3pf_fchAu5Kdco-2xaqsq4tMACVrYbTfXedHfM_UgJm9ZZ1qI80EB6tUu2dxrThqsXJaEg5NIRauU1UXCw/s1600/KenWilsonAreYouExperiencedCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqEZxJP3WF587FQYmo3Hte0LmY7wH_uShfiEAnxGKwxqi5kMWFN3R3pf_fchAu5Kdco-2xaqsq4tMACVrYbTfXedHfM_UgJm9ZZ1qI80EB6tUu2dxrThqsXJaEg5NIRauU1UXCw/s1600/KenWilsonAreYouExperiencedCover.png" height="400" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ken Wilson: Are You Experienced?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Psychedelic posters have added a real zest to design, pushing the boundaries outwards. According to Johnson, author of </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://artandpsychedelix.com/">Are You Experienced?</a></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“The psychedelic movement helped people move beyond the act of
viewing art into a deeper experience of it......Art is no
longer something just to be admired. It’s something to consume and to
feel.” <a href="http://network9.biz/2013/03/wild-thing-how-the-psychedelic-sixties-changed-design-forever/">(Wild Things).</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today
there is fractal generating software which mimics the direct experience
of psychotropic vision, allowing for multiplication of forms in computerised video
art. </span>This pushes way beyond the simple standalone poster. Images do not stand still but continually morph. Hence, video now appears to predominate with<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LT23ixDaJo" target="_blank"> Rihanna</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj-xBpQ0CI0" target="_blank">Azealea Banks</a>
making use of such digital video art and psychotropic effects for their
music videos under the guise of 'seapunk' - a style immersed in psychedelic visual - they are just one flourishing
branch of the sixties explosion alive and proliferating happily. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It would be nice to see a fuller more substantial exhibition of these posters at some stage, recognising the significance of the Sixties-style poster. The link to acid trips may have been exaggerated but something exploded a window open in the minds of poster designers, which they may or may not have needed to create these images. Let's hope they do not sink into oblivion but are celebrated for also opening avenues in the minds of the public that continue to keep opening. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kieron </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©</span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Kieron Devlin, 2014</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">all rights reserved.</span> </span></span></div>
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-19470311270796304192013-07-06T13:38:00.000+01:002014-05-05T13:52:46.127+01:00Doing the 30 Day Bikram Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Doing the 30-Day Bikram Challenge</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So today is day 30 ! I have completed my Bikram ‘challenge’- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>90 minutes of yoga performed in 105 degrees (40 C) heat daily for 30
consecutive days. That’s almost 50 hours of yoga in one month. It does not
sound much, but takes a lot of persistence and stamina to keep going when the body is in meltdown. I had thought it would be easier, since I did it unofficially last year
without much of hitch. This time I was plagued by back pain, but now
the light at the end of the tunnel has dawned, I can take it easy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did well for the first 15 days,
not suffering any problem, feeling energised, doing all the poses, improving
even on my Standing Head to Knee pose; but then I ran into a snarl, with lower
back pain for the past ten days or so. I ignored it at first, thinking it would
go away. But it turned nasty. I had to decide: should I stop and lose the
momentum of the 30-day challenge, or carry on regardless till the end? In my
case it is an old recurring sciatic pain, that is indescribably sharp, gnawing
at the point where the sciatic nerve meets the pelvic bone, but also broadly
across my entire nervous system. So it might have been sensible to just give up. Most would go running to their
doctors and be talking about surgery before you know it. But I waited to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">One of
the rules is if you leave the room before the class ends, it does not count. I can see the sense in that, because it signals to the brain 'I want an easy time'. I can totally understand why people want to escape the room. It is hotter than hot. At times, you feel you might just go <i>whooooompf</i> and spontaneously combust. If you eat too much you can also feel queasy. The combination is not good.
But, if you head for the door early once, you are just more likely to give up too soon the next time. So escape was not an option. I chose to
battle on through. But the damned heat - the heat!! Only for mad dogs and Bikramites. It ramped
the humidity levels right up this June. Heat tends to reach a peak about two thirds the way through the class, so once you get over that point, it's downhill. A mere wisp of cooler air under the door from outside feels like bliss. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You get these articles such as <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/wellbeing/9827210/Bikram-is-it-too-hot-to-handle.html"> Bikram is Too Hot To Handle </a>
that love to rouse fears and worries around the safety of Bikram yoga, how it might encourage high blood pressure and dehydration. That may be true, but the body regulates its own temperature through sweating, so in fact it remains stable, and after the class, you feel you can trip the light fantastic, with the post-class high, so it all balances out. It is good to
be forewarned about the dangers- and Bikram is certainly not for everyone -
there are many<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>other worthwhile,
nourishing forms of yoga, but this type of article typically dramatises in order to be ‘sensational’ without examining it
from all angles, thus appealing primarily to fears and worries for anyone considering doing Bikram. If such articles proclaimed it was good
for you, it wouldn’t make the front page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be seen as exaggerating or promoting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo11Kw3OhiRvMLm_6IbM7-kFH-iYnZ8fExfk3TD3ACIJ0uCMr7WNUwHpZWGN6OhHupI77INtOJsAS74peeUPTMM_i0b64SEmfYsKO2IUT7-kBt2B6iUNQvd2A7oMWrnN5p44kVg/s1600/perceived-heat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo11Kw3OhiRvMLm_6IbM7-kFH-iYnZ8fExfk3TD3ACIJ0uCMr7WNUwHpZWGN6OhHupI77INtOJsAS74peeUPTMM_i0b64SEmfYsKO2IUT7-kBt2B6iUNQvd2A7oMWrnN5p44kVg/s400/perceived-heat.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The heat is definitely a
serious barrier to some. </span><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The phrase that came to mind in the meltdown was ‘this is doing my head in’ but it
leads to a reformation, creation feeds on destruction, so it feels like moulding and sculpting. </span>It you can’t take it, you just have to get out. But if you do
stay put, you realise heat is relative to cold. There is a vast range of sensations between the extremes. Tiny variations from hot to boiling, come
sharply into focus against minute differences from cool to cooler once you exit the room. A cold shower after hot yoga is the perfect balm to feeling like a saucepan of overboiled milk. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Soldiering
on through pain is a personal decision since one class, especially your first, is ‘like being
hit by a truck carry rose petals’ according to Benjamin Orr. Whatever you choose to
do is right for you. For me, though, having that stickability has helped to increase mental rather
than physical strength - bit of will power sharpening is going on- helping to
show that you can endure in your life that you otherwise wouldn’t have thought. I love the phrase some teachers use: 'To fall out of a pose is human, but to get back in is yogi'.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYF84cBtZPh9bEDgd7Y3djVjbF_8b3SHbyBvX49Uf9sgG_OeSf3uoLci5LtR6Gce0rvrhnS5aB4QgTYLQc9ZKmz3nZ-VSv4H2T2P14k5r-8KVPkl3vd1HbCjyxdUyowcxPSAQ7w/s1600/11515023731vj6y3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYF84cBtZPh9bEDgd7Y3djVjbF_8b3SHbyBvX49Uf9sgG_OeSf3uoLci5LtR6Gce0rvrhnS5aB4QgTYLQc9ZKmz3nZ-VSv4H2T2P14k5r-8KVPkl3vd1HbCjyxdUyowcxPSAQ7w/s400/11515023731vj6y3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Standing Head to Knee Pose</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But I discovered that, even if I wanted to, I could not do forward bends,
<i>Padahstasana-</i>and the Standing Separate Leg to Knee Pose as the pain shot through my lower back and hip making me feel about 70. That also made
Standing Separate Leg pose, Toe stand, even Rabbit Pose, and the sit-ups after Savasana, near impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had either to pass, or pass out. It is unfortunately true that the ego
wants to do every pose in order to prove itself fit enough - there's that competitive edge- but I learned to relax
about that, watch the others in the room make all the effort, while I sat back, paced
myself, breathed more slowly and deeply into the lumbar area. It took control and truckloads of patience. I was still in the room. That is yoga enough in the intense heat. </span><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span>Words completely fail to
render the intensity of this kind of pain, made worse by the thought that I was
completely over it. For it to pop up again now is depressing. I turned to pain-killers and the odd glass of
French brandy. But this is a stopgap. It helps to respect the limitations and frailties of the body and to relish the amazing
power of deep sleep and self-hypnosis to help heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Mental resistance just increases the experience of pain. </span>One teacher said ‘just being in the room is healing.’ That’s
kind of right as, even if you don’t do a pose, you are doing it mentally,
preparing for the time when you will do it -hopefully more elegantly with greater internal and external alignment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is easy
to think the pain was caused by doing so much Bikram yoga. But there are many
factors to consider before saying yoga caused the injury. I’ve also been cycling a lot
further, and longer than usual. My bike park in the basement requires me to lift
the bike wheels every day to lock on to the wall vertically, so I have to strain the lower back region. It could be my
venerable age also, or lack of core muscle strength as one Pilates teacher in class observed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plusses</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s a
determination booster.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>It increases your
stickability factor, especially dealing with the heat. The brain thinks ‘If I
can get through this, I can get through anything’.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>Increases your endurance of
the heat but also how long you can stay in a pose.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>You start to eat better,
naturally choosing lighter foods. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>You lose weight. My
weight is mostly stable, but it has given me a trimmer waist and I am 3
belt sizes smaller. People have noticed. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>It helps to control your body
clock and sleeping patterns.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>You certainly learn to
appreciate any draft of cool air.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>Helps break through the
pain/pleasure barrier, sharpening your sense of how contrasts are there to
offer a range of sensations, all are good.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>Increases you awareness of
pacing and ability to accept if your pose is not perfect.</span></h3>
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</span>It makes you feel energised,
limber and flexible.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Minuses</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>It’s costly- you still have
to pay your fees for this daily grind.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>It is time consuming to do
daily – you have to find the time or do a double, which acts for me as a
deterrent. I don't want double trouble.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>You can overdo it and stretch
or compress beyond your limit, exacerbating any previous injury or pain.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>You may not really see
massive improvements in technique- in fact with me it felt like I was taking
steps backwards.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span>Doing it in summer increases
the humidity. You can be sweating after two minutes in the room instead of
after ten. So dealing with the heat can be the main stumbling block.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* If you are in
pain, only some teachers suggest modified poses, most just say skip them. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Doing the
30 day challenge, you are forced to pace yourself and that is a good thing- and
probably the main thing I’ve learned. You can’t just hammer away at the body
day in day out. `it goes in cycles of yin and yang, of peaks and troughs and the circadian rhythm. So being aware of when to
push forward (yang) and when to just sit back and restore energy (yin) is vital
to understanding how to get the optimum performance. By sitting out the forward bends,
I felt much more prepared to do the backward bends. If you do all the
poses, it gives your body no time to recover except if you doing the floor
series. world if you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bikram
sequence is full on, with only seconds between poses, so that pacing is essential if you are doing it
daily. It's not the end of the world if you don't do some poses, though I agree this should not develop into a habit. As you as you can, get back into them. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7jH88XB7t8elMBQzKIn7MiHH6-uO04vRK5zKGqQ6iGEkPAbEvXrQQTgp3RkaxYXh8tKXsKY-EF_dHZ6O0k3OX_HY4-a7nAzgwgEwd0htRmE5EUwLn0gGhpk8MhcRtZc5_KTGVQ/s1600/2013-07-07-1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7jH88XB7t8elMBQzKIn7MiHH6-uO04vRK5zKGqQ6iGEkPAbEvXrQQTgp3RkaxYXh8tKXsKY-EF_dHZ6O0k3OX_HY4-a7nAzgwgEwd0htRmE5EUwLn0gGhpk8MhcRtZc5_KTGVQ/s1600/2013-07-07-1866.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Glad Its All Over Yogaholic Look at <a href="http://www.sohotbikramyoga.co.uk/bikram-timetable/">Sohot Yoga</a> Studios</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Will I
continue Bikram? Yes, of course, as it has really given me a level of fitness
I never hoped to have at my age, even though I am exhausted. But do I need a break? For yogaholics, a Bikram holiday is just missing one day of class, but I need a few days off. You need not
be hell bent on transformation, in order to reach transcendence, it happens of its own accord, when you are naturally in alignment with a daily practice that requires discipline, commitment and focuses the bodymind to its sequence of tasks. Bikram is perfect for that- for mindfulness, for meditation in motion. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It's all there already in those moments, if you can notice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Namaste.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Kieron </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©</span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Kieron Devlin, 2013</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">all rights reserved.</span> </span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span></div>
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-10473927739099961462013-05-19T20:09:00.003+01:002014-05-12T23:56:37.962+01:00Bikramarama!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>The Bikram Series: Some articles about Choudry's version of yoga</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z5epQ8aIccX46wGJUh753L4OWkQxr0ILijfxwj6NUQD9ed4lEl1WpUCseo-tDtu8u05JTfzcTa8lUMX_kEvtPiFfbhEgUHIPGzfJPE_5Mq-CHop80DDcFSmPcNDbvXfVXjM7kg/s1600/inside-yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z5epQ8aIccX46wGJUh753L4OWkQxr0ILijfxwj6NUQD9ed4lEl1WpUCseo-tDtu8u05JTfzcTa8lUMX_kEvtPiFfbhEgUHIPGzfJPE_5Mq-CHop80DDcFSmPcNDbvXfVXjM7kg/s400/inside-yoga.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikram Choudry at work</td></tr>
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<br />
A while back I decided to write about Bikram yoga. I felt there was something important to say about how yoga triggers improvements in life, heals physical and emotional wounds, and highlights the indivisible mindbody connection. Having a fit body is a mere by product that just happens to be desirable. So I started pestering Bikram teachers with various questions. They have mostly indulged me benignly with their answers, but it led into into discussions about the impact of this type of yoga and about Mr Choudry himself, his pimp-like posturings, and even the value of the yoga asana championships, so called 'competitive' yoga, which for some is an oxymoron. I attended the UK yoga championships for the first time this year and found it thrilling, even at times unyogic. Yet, it all contributes to the massive interest in yoga in recent years which shows no signs of fizzling out. Take a look at this video I made of one of the teachers who entered, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT0d5AXc0Fk">Alessandro Mauro,</a> and it's a lesson in the perfection of form. Coached by Ky Ha, ex US champion, he really showed how it should be done. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc-MeBo2Ro-bTZETr_AIBL4D_pT1LlMmQaK69XKE60bNHshrhUgum5MfxQOd0cALfflCshR4HZ3qbskovMONBrX8Jahuz8liAHnc8UcBhCjvvUTqvz3gXvHndKisTYMhfuwnM5A/s1600/HellBentCover_Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc-MeBo2Ro-bTZETr_AIBL4D_pT1LlMmQaK69XKE60bNHshrhUgum5MfxQOd0cALfflCshR4HZ3qbskovMONBrX8Jahuz8liAHnc8UcBhCjvvUTqvz3gXvHndKisTYMhfuwnM5A/s400/HellBentCover_Large.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Indispensible Book on the Bikram Phenomenon</td></tr>
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When yoga first became popular, there was a lot of poo-poohing of the practice that was negatively motivated by Christians fearful that the younger generation was being subtly brain-washed by Hindus. They feared that Hinduism was poised to take over the Western hemisphere. Now that there is a science to back up the benefits of yoga, the religious prejudices have fallen by the wayside. Yoga from a western perspective, in its various forms, has gone from quaint Eastern weirdness to 'hey there's something more to this', to full-on mainstream, everywhere-you-look, in the space of a few decades. This is all fine. The more interest is sparked in the poses, the more it leads to curiosity about how they are performed and practised, which leads to a search for the spiritual aspect. The foundation and origins of yoga, are less deeply embedded in ancient Vedantic philosophy than is commonly supposed. Nevertheless, yoga is where the mind body interface is most obviously situated. Yoga is something people can experience for themselves, not just know from books. So even competitions while seeming to be a paradox of the yogic spirit, still lead people to be curious about the hows and the whys, thus leading to some kind of enlightenment. <br />
<br />
As I began thinking and becoming more curious, various different aspects of the yoga universe cropped up for attention: the mystery of the asanas, their names, and purpose, the neatness of the sequence, plus the language used to instruct in Bikramese Choudhuryesque, and its odd abruptness, and then the insight that how being in a yoga class was similar to being in a hypnotic trance, and could have the same mental reprogramming, life-changing impact. I wanted to learn more, read more, ask more. One of the best current books around on Bikram, apart from the asana manuals, as it is one person's experience with it, is Benjamin Lorr's <a href="http://www.benjaminloor.net/hell-bent/"><i>Hell Bent</i>: <i>Obsession, Pain and the search for something like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga</i> (2012)</a> and apart from Lorr's readable, page-turning style, it highlighted some of the paradoxes of a yoga cult and how no one can really agree on its value, yet all agree that Bikram is a phenomenon to be reckoned with. There were still a lot of questions, and puzzles and misconceptions, all of which needed clearing up.<br />
<br />
With yoga, it is personal. You either want to do it and stay the course, and effect a transformation, or you just dabble in the shallow end and can't ever make out what the fuss is about out in the deeper ocean. But with Bikram, you learn patience, and tenacity, more than stamina. This is why it appeals to athletes. You learn endurance as well, as perfecting one single pose can take years of minor self adjustments and corrections. Some teachers say 'if you can't do it yet, don't worry, it took me five years,' laughingly reducing your months of hard-sweated effort at standing head to knee pose to nothing. But it also is a reminder that it is the process and not the end point that contains all the joys, thereby suggesting it is not really competitive. Some can go deep into side bend as their spines are naturally bendable, but they lose all sense of form. So, struggling at your edge, which may be way behind anyone else in the room, is where the real work happens, and you can be a beginner for up to ten years before you might graduate to the Advanced Bikram class.<br />
<br />
Because there is so much to say, and this is a mere introduction, I'm going to divide up the material into sections, and who is to say where it may wind up. Some of it here, some of it elsewhere in Yoga Journals, hopefully:<br />
<br />
<b>1) Personal experience</b> and general ideas of Bikram: the day to day developments of doing 90 minutes in the heat and how it transforms the bodymind, including the asanas, the debate about the heat, its value and the influence of the leader<br />
<br />
<b>2) The Language used in the dialogue</b>; this will include the metaphors used.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oAOup9BDCz2Qapi2PSiMUS5Ng6GJhhSlztW-b4BwkO_X7cjXIsCNqvc1p8vcJfwYSGF3DLcD7SZDemBvipiumKIhU80QETGpiTtHd0bVJSS6YAonanSNazoBrPlO20kBiGZugw/s1600/esak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oAOup9BDCz2Qapi2PSiMUS5Ng6GJhhSlztW-b4BwkO_X7cjXIsCNqvc1p8vcJfwYSGF3DLcD7SZDemBvipiumKIhU80QETGpiTtHd0bVJSS6YAonanSNazoBrPlO20kBiGZugw/s200/esak.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esak Garcia</td></tr>
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<b>3) The link between Bikram (or other yoga styles) and Hypnosis,</b> how it is similar to a trance state where reprogramming the mind is happening. This potentially is the most interesting research area to explore, and I'm in discussions, still observing and researching, so I'm not in any hurry to arrive at any conclusions, but it's quite exciting to examine these often hidden and undocumented aspects of the yoga class.<br />
<br />
So I hope that this will all be interesting, not just for those who are curious about Bikram and thinking about trying a first class ( go for it) but for regular Bikram practitioners too who would like to reflect on what it is they are doing.<br />
<br />
It's important to note that I'm not saying that Bikram is the only yoga style that can have these transformational effects, but it is the one that has worked best for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5Qt-G0iyq2w4Wg3QkRauc-OfchuYyzPif5F7s2liph8uE-9VGRk25Bb1AtW6k-jRk2soAnyA6j_8hFFXsNrSsmEMioyU3VcWE1Sv_P4BA934OSxEqqU8P36JuLEPtI4HW_vXzQ/s1600/joseph_bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5Qt-G0iyq2w4Wg3QkRauc-OfchuYyzPif5F7s2liph8uE-9VGRk25Bb1AtW6k-jRk2soAnyA6j_8hFFXsNrSsmEMioyU3VcWE1Sv_P4BA934OSxEqqU8P36JuLEPtI4HW_vXzQ/s640/joseph_bridge.jpg" height="280" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jospeh Encinia doing the bridge</td></tr>
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<br />
I haven't got the ultimate bendy back yet like Esak Garcia or Joseph Encinia and I'm nowhere near as good as the teachers, dare I say 'yet'? but I'm on my way.<br />
<br />
Watch this space. <br />
<br />
Namaste.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">©</span></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Kieron Devlin, 2013</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">all rights reserved.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-57118863309185974482013-04-10T23:41:00.000+01:002014-05-05T13:53:01.701+01:00In My Bed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvKv3N0WIN400aq6S71FYxBp8cMlNS1qyhZKGwEIlsJeLT-b08HAtJ_ZndgFS_2H_Z43ldZ7xvPgPWAwbelINKW-XXI5JecV-GGLhiCJF7yAOCNYBA2rXAs-2C0n-YH8rgNCgAw/s1600/Benassi_019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvKv3N0WIN400aq6S71FYxBp8cMlNS1qyhZKGwEIlsJeLT-b08HAtJ_ZndgFS_2H_Z43ldZ7xvPgPWAwbelINKW-XXI5JecV-GGLhiCJF7yAOCNYBA2rXAs-2C0n-YH8rgNCgAw/s400/Benassi_019.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Etienne Benassi </b></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In My Bed</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There’s a body in my</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">arms, sweet cameo of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">profiles, links up contours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">in this domain of warmth.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There are armfuls of torsos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Fell-swooning across the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">sidelong limb, svelte scandal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">at my fingertips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There are erections that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">bite like kissograms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">(without the extra charge),</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">States of mind which burn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">till my edges frazzle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">and an envelope of new skin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">folds smoothly around the flames.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You have to steam us</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">apart, like coming reluctantly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">unstuck from sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">©</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kieron Devlin, </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">all rights reserved.</span> </span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span><br />
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-8723379683762416762013-04-01T13:47:00.001+01:002014-05-05T13:53:18.412+01:00CREATIVITY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="left" class="text-main-header6" style="margin-top: 0;">
<b>Creativity</b></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
We all may wish to be more creative,
but is it the preserve of the few, or do all of us have inner gifts?
The fact is that most of us are under using our potential, and we
can sense how creativity can add more quality and satisfaction to
our life. But if we are all creative beings then why does it not always
show up where we need it the most? Writers talk of being blocked.
But who is blocking who? Why do we get stuck, give up, or worse, are
even afraid to begin? It is as though we are standing in our own light,
unable to see the shadow we create.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6KbLvbS35ZjqgXjH6NmhyArb8JHQ3B8CW4nRprL5nFc7nw21BmlDvLyPtHYT320_MBkgOqFcsbItMKQakqa3n8go3UUK8mTdiSKnRrXzlq0FxFr9msQuptDMhVzOqIcik4eE3Q/s1600/Helix-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6KbLvbS35ZjqgXjH6NmhyArb8JHQ3B8CW4nRprL5nFc7nw21BmlDvLyPtHYT320_MBkgOqFcsbItMKQakqa3n8go3UUK8mTdiSKnRrXzlq0FxFr9msQuptDMhVzOqIcik4eE3Q/s1600/Helix-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main-bold6">
<b>Feeling Blocked</b></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
Writer's block is not just limited
to writers; it can strike anyone confronting a blank page with a task
in hand. 'Page fright' can paralyze the nerves until the mind shuts
down. Some say this might be the interference of two types of brain
function, the critic or the left brain. Page fright is much more common
than we imagine. Dorothea Brande, one of the great writing teachers
believed that page fright that is never addressed on creative writing
courses, yet it was often the main problem.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
If you have something to say and cannot
even get started on it, consider that you may be standing in the way
of your own artistic potential. Sometimes we need help to find ways
to clear our path and find renewed energy to complete the work. Whether
you are already a practising artist or feel it is a path you have
not yet fully developed, hypnosis can help you to realign with your
true self, find the key to your own voice, be reminded of your calling,
regenerate and nurture your artistic self.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
Block does not just come in one variety,
there are three main types:</div>
<ol class="text-main">
<li> <span class="text-main-bold6">Creativity dries up temporarily:<br />
</span>Just stop and take a breather, a drink, a walk, a chat. Usually
this is not serious.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><span class="text-main-bold6">Life gets in the way:</span><br />
relationships, duties, work, responsibilities take over or sidetrack
you so you abandon your project. Life is trying to teach you something
here. Ask what can I learn from this? Use it as source material
for writing.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><span class="text-main-bold6">You are really stuck:</span><br />
You stop completely, or avoid your project for weeks, months, even
years. When you write a story, or express yourself freely, you need
to expose things that are personal, so whatever this problem is,
and it's usually not to do with writing at all, but something else,
it has to be dealt with before you can proceed.</li>
</ol>
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The tendency to perfectionism can
also get in the way. Make space for mistakes and experimentation.
Allow mistakes to be a source of learning, and your relationship with
your work may become more relaxed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main-bold6">
<b>Keeping Diaries and Journals</b></div>
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Many great writers and artists have
kept journals and diaries. Writing is cathartic. It's a legitimate
to talk freely to yourself without being considered stark raving bonkers.
We need these dialogues with ourselves. The subconscious mind speaks
a different language than the conscious mind, hence the importance
of self talk, and improving the quality of self talk. In my experience,
writing in your journal as personally and honestly as possible, can
not just release blocks but can be a life saver.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
I have found no other, easier method
of self therapy than this. Here's where it gets really interesting
though - in the eighties, psychologists and immunologists such as
Glaser, Rubin and James Pennebaker in particular discovered that the
physical act of writing, especially about difficult emotions, promotes
a strong immune system. Not only does writing oblige the right and
left hemispheres of the brain to cooperate - something worth doing
- it also helps lower cholesterol, hypertension, stress, and promotes
the release of endorphins. The point is that inhibition of thoughts
can cause ill health.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
A few rules to remember though: don't
show your diary to anyone. Its value is in its privacy and regular
uninhibited daily entries. Respect these rules and it becomes the
ideal friend as it does not talk back or reveal your troubles to others.
Keep it private and keep it regularly and over time, it opens a space
in the mind that assists in pattern noticing, healing and integrating
different aspects of yourself.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main-bold6">
<b>The Artists Way</b></div>
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<img align="left" alt="The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron" border="0" src="http://www.kierondevlin.com/images/creativity_the-artists-way.jpg" height="320" width="279" />This
very popular method was pioneered by Julia Cameron, author of The
Artist's Way. She emphasizes reconnecting with your source using 'Morning
Pages'. This involves slowing down and getting in touch with your
unique self by writing freely every morning before you do anything
else in the day. Her method has brought satisfaction to countless
thousands of people. Just start you day by just writing all the things
that concern you the most. Gradually, this process restores your ability
to reconnect with the true you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main-bold6">
<b>The Structure of Creating</b></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
<img align="right" alt="Albert Einstein" border="0" src="http://www.kierondevlin.com/images/creativity_albert-einstein.jpg" height="320" width="217" />NLP
Master, Robert Dilts, believed there is a structure, a method, or
habit of mind that can be learned by anyone to ensure creative flow.
He studied the exact sequence of actions that great creators such
as Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and Walt Disney followed in
their creative process. Often these creators did not know how they
achieved what they did. Yet they followed a specific sequence which
can be followed by anyone. Walt Disney, for example, had a system
of changing viewpoints during his creations to make them the absolute
best they could be. He would start from the Dreamer position, move
to the Realist, then become the Critic - in that order. This helped
to achieved multiple viewpoints and a greater roundedness to his work.
Anyone can adopt this technique.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
Once this sequence has been absorbed
it can reignite the energy you need to fuel your own creative work.
Remember, <span class="text-main-bold6">BEGIN</span> is an anagram
of <span class="text-main-bold6">BEING</span>.</div>
<div align="left" class="text-main-bold6">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main-bold6">
<b>Finding Your Zone</b></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
Creativity is not just for writing
the next great novel or painting, it can be a simple as writing a
letter, decorating a room, finding an unusual solution to a common
problem, or cooking dinner in a unique way no one has thought of or
attempted before. We all do this yet don't feel we are particularly
'creative'.</div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
This process is activated each time
you begin to write freely. Just getting in touch with who we are again.
Keeping a daily journal can have the effect of uncovering who we really
are, and if we are in tune with our own metaphors and images, it can
add another dimension to our lives. We just need to find that rhythm,
find that flow which athletes call 'the zone'. This is your peak performance
state and you act your best and even outperform yourself while in
this state of inspiration.</div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="text-main">
Please contact <a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/contact-kieron.htm" target="_top">Kieron</a>
for more information.<span class="text-main-small-bold"> </span><br />
<br />
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Kieron Devlin, 2010, all rights reserved.<span class="text-main-small-bold"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>References:</b></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
<span class="text-main-small-bold">Cameron, J.</span> (1994). <span class="text-main-small-italic">The
Artists Way.</span> London: Pan<br />
<span class="text-main-small-bold"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text-main-small-bold">Dilts, R. & Epstein T.</span>
(1991). <span class="text-main-small-italic">Tools for Dreamers: Strategies
for Creativity and the Structure of Innovation.</span> California:
Meta Productions.<br />
<span class="text-main-small-bold"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text-main-small-bold">Pennebaker, J.W.</span> (1990).
<span class="text-main-small-italic">Opening up: The healing Power
of Expressing Emotions</span> New York: Guilford Press.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span><br />
KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-36685179642396708772013-03-29T12:53:00.001+00:002014-05-05T13:56:27.562+01:00More Poetry from the Vaults<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzYFy4riiMkEFwWeNYCVOJGbeohyphenhyphenJ5XenJtBTCRj7phHGyogKmqLFTEHTd5zv1a3tirCLQ_P2m3bkFUBLVzGWghwDKtBpGU-gShgFW1dAKrmmTSjUsjpev-yNuFa2nrKRJoCQHQ/s1600/Larache+1986%3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzYFy4riiMkEFwWeNYCVOJGbeohyphenhyphenJ5XenJtBTCRj7phHGyogKmqLFTEHTd5zv1a3tirCLQ_P2m3bkFUBLVzGWghwDKtBpGU-gShgFW1dAKrmmTSjUsjpev-yNuFa2nrKRJoCQHQ/s1600/Larache+1986%3f.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Recently, I rediscovered a bunch of poems that had been shuttered away in the back bedroom cupboard of my mother's, squashed at the bottom of a box I hadn't opened for twenty years. <i>Aouli Day </i>was inspired by a trip to Morocco in the 1980s and my first taste of culture clash.</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Aouli
</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Day in Larache </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Just as at the Lixus, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">half-baked</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">tumble-down Acropolis,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">silence, and a lone cypress tree</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">with curvature of the spine.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The smell reaches us </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">by camel-express,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">all banks are closed, all shops, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9nT7WchIPt1HVrcyjB6TkKsVRtSBxWmndXrMLDAkIogvZAzuQm2Bga6cmCd_Mrrr4h_XergohO7Vymwz8fiDR91eTRu2HNZnhzXLUr_UOkRZQH4A2DUv-o4OoVAOGvF4G_k1Xw/s1600/nightcondo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9nT7WchIPt1HVrcyjB6TkKsVRtSBxWmndXrMLDAkIogvZAzuQm2Bga6cmCd_Mrrr4h_XergohO7Vymwz8fiDR91eTRu2HNZnhzXLUr_UOkRZQH4A2DUv-o4OoVAOGvF4G_k1Xw/s640/nightcondo.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">all restaurants. ‘Tomorrow’ they say,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Tomorrow, you’ll see’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">in the souk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">inquisitive sheep peer </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">out of crates,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">waiting, as if for a train</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">that never runs on time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Dawn’s signal cock-a-doodle choked,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the augury of its fate, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">a premature strangulation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The early morning Koran is recited</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">On the radio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘How is yours today?’ she asks, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘you know. On the hole?’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">we cannot digest anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In place of sleep, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">we drowse.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Eager boys watch skewered lambs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">hiss on hot black coals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">intensify the noonday sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Whole families drink, wash faces,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Clothes, rinse entrails</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">at the street tap,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Immunised by fasting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Children stare at flies,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">and we aliens, the English.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘inevitably’ we say’ the point is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">that there is none’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All journeys- this one too- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Go through stark blue and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">white-washed shanty town cabins,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the way to Hassan’s ‘casa blanca’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Have sensational attributes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Why, for instance, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">are we made to feel like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">cash registers on legs?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">High-jacked out of the time-space</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Continuum,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We are unreal cut outs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">people without a point,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">wilting under the strain,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">like a new leisured class,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Who rendevous at the frontier,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">where water, sky and desert</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Intersect, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">at night, retreat to elementals,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">primary spirits. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Abdul Rashid sharpens</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the kitchen knife.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The head came off in one strong,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">stroke; the roof terrace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">is covered in blood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘He is a tailor’ says Hassan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But he might be better</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">employed in an abbatoir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Perhaps –we think-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">he is gentle to his wife </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">and five children;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">there’s another one on the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I know how it felt,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the food and me did not mix well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sheep’s lung, heart, bladder,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">sheeps’ head in cous-cous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Ventricles stick in the throat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">like rubber tubes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They beg us to ‘eat more’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We pray not to vomit, or seem</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">ungrateful at the simple</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">hospitality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It stands to reason,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">this fulminating slaughterhouse;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">this multitude of village prayers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">burnt offerings, dances,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Allah’s unearned income,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">ceremonially askew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The music tells me this;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">its repetition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The essence of the bloody</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">thing is a magnificent trance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Holiday tummy is irrelevant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We might as well be</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">imaginary and not particular</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">beings, for our fly-on-the-wall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Usefulness is in passing through,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">waving travellers cheques </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">like magic wands,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">abhorring the presence of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">so much coca-cola, but</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The children find us funny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Why did we come?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To find new interests, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A more than we bargained for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">two-week package to an Agadir hotel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hassan would give anything</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">to marry an English girl,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But the uplift out of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">pointlessness,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">humbles us and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">makes us lean. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">©</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Kieron Devlin, 1987</span>
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all rights reserved<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycEWtQQllLnad_jEUXZ4yv8858bGYRTEwOurXV0EGh_epFUE1-f8b1-YotnUvAgZgk1hQuIG14p0mjk2mA5H9IL_4kgzSj022gpRd9z8CyCpP_S3Ydokd25oACKY8Js9tkO2tSA/s1600/Larache+1986%253F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycEWtQQllLnad_jEUXZ4yv8858bGYRTEwOurXV0EGh_epFUE1-f8b1-YotnUvAgZgk1hQuIG14p0mjk2mA5H9IL_4kgzSj022gpRd9z8CyCpP_S3Ydokd25oACKY8Js9tkO2tSA/s1600/Larache+1986%253F.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Larache 1986</span></td></tr>
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-27991541238386307602013-02-03T12:41:00.003+00:002014-05-05T13:57:51.490+01:00WATCHING SUNSETS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Why watching sunsets calm, stimulates and recharges your batteries. </b><br />
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I am a sungazer by nature; not just because the sun rules my chart, but because knowing that you can eat sunlight might come as a surprise to many people. So it is good to have the memory jogged as to the reasons why we tend to ignore light as a food source. Like birdwatchers I must fall into that category that has a whiff of geek about it, a sun-watcher with notepad and binoculars. But I confess, I spent a lot of time sunset gazing in India and I feel the benefits even a month afterwards. Sunsets have been described as a woman dropping her petticoats (Virginia Woolf) or a carnivorous flower (Robert Bolano) or a bloody red rag (Steinbeck) or like a Neopolitan ice cream (Jarod Kintz) and it is all of these images and much more, anything it might suggest to the imagination: an orange, a rose, a cloudburst, a lava lamp; but underlying its role to me is that of magnetic anchor, the centrifuge of our miniscule star system around which we unwittingly orbit. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varkala beach, Kerala</td></tr>
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If you sit and watch a sunset it is like your body clock being slowed down to the true time of the universe. Sensing the slight movement of the earth around the sun (18 miles a second) can make it feel like being in the crew of a spaceship. Day passes into night and night into day, which near the equator is roughly an equal number of hours, so it feels balanced and regular as clockwork. Contemplating or meditating at sunset adds resonance to your anchoring to the particular angle you are positioned in relation to it. It certainly<b> </b>calms the mind, into a deep sense of where and who we are as mere earthlings on earth school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samudra Beach, Kerala</td></tr>
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It also acts like a yogic <i>bunda</i>, lock, tightening the link between you and mother sun, creating a little pocket of force that can be triggered as a memory in times of need when, for example, I am back in London, plunged into grey brooding, wintry skies- pressure ceilings- under which I feel sapped of strength and have to hibernate. I just have to recall a sunset and it takes me back to Samudra beach, or Kovalam, or Patnem, Goa, all those wonderful beaches that face west and are natural auditoriums for the daily drama of sunset and sunrise. Little places of perfection. But any beach, anywhere, or any landscape, even on your balcony, where the sun can be seen to rise or drop over the horizon, are all good enough. Sunsets are the perfect time to sungaze as the damage to your eyes is at a minimum. Not for nothing is it also cocktail hour. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LUGy4QFUikWdzkV_h4_rOWSBlzB6fEmIaUrX3yKMoAO0zTe3RPNZ-AvfqOAEXgJx1GhXTsuTgluEqyS9GOEs72IOV3dLCH93GAT7GXZXJywbrK2y9UNH7-v3tjbzNWJq9v55nw/s1600/IMAG0513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LUGy4QFUikWdzkV_h4_rOWSBlzB6fEmIaUrX3yKMoAO0zTe3RPNZ-AvfqOAEXgJx1GhXTsuTgluEqyS9GOEs72IOV3dLCH93GAT7GXZXJywbrK2y9UNH7-v3tjbzNWJq9v55nw/s400/IMAG0513.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samudra Beach, Kerala</td></tr>
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This slowing down can only be good for people who are seriously overworked, overstressed, surviving in big cities and get caught up in all the myths and nonsense about being on time, striving for an ever elusive 'success' and packing a day's work into a limited number of hours.Watching a sunset stops all that and allows a great sense of silence to emerge inside, with its bubbling attendant awe as it feeds more on more on light. The effect is always to still the mind, to de-stress us on a biophysical and psycho-emotional level and fill our light bodies with more light. Even looking at pictures of a sunset is effective, as the same physiology is triggered. But nothing really substitutes for a good long dose of the real thing, if you can find it, when to become a sunset addict can supplant any other pleasure, as, like love, it can be 'all you need.' Another aspect of it is that it is a non-human power, and that is sometimes a relief to focus on something that is not tarnished by human behaviour, political intrigues and pettiness; the sun is simple, pure, yet a fierce and magnificent ball of gas. Not to be toyed with lightly, but to be honoured and revered, as the ancients did. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varkala, Kerala</td></tr>
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We hear less and less about solar power these days, even though it is on the rise. I begin to wonder if the harnassing of solar power been overlooked in favour of electricity and nuclear power? Only 4,000,000 homes in the UK will be solar powered by 2018. Perhaps, we need to reinstate solar energy and the safest renewable energy source we have. Perhaps it is perceived as 'soft' not 'hard' energy, and so sidelined by government budgets. The sun is so primary in its potency as an energy, as to be obvious as plain daylight. The universe is simply unthinkable without it.<br />
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The sun is 1.3 million times larger than the earth and this fixes everything around its incredible force of gravity. It controls our weather, our sense of time, and food growth and harvesting times, and although sunlight takes about eight minutes to arrive to earth from the sun, we feel its warming, nourishing energy instantly as a force for good. In sunlight, we grow, like photo-trophic saplings towards the direction of the unmistakable source. Doctors rightly also advise that to absorb Vitamin D from the sun is good for the bones. We can get some Vitamin D from fish oils and vegetables but the best is from the sun. But that is not all it is. The enigmatic sun can also underpin mystical feelings of connection with a true self, higher and greater than the self of daily trivialities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varkala, Kerala</td></tr>
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"And the sunset itself<br />
on such waves of ether<br />
That I just can't comprehend<br />
Whether it is the end of the day,<br />
the end of the world,<br />
Or the mystery of mysteries<br />
in me again.”
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/99703.Anna_Akhmatova">Anna Akhmatova</a><br />
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Helios, Ra, Apollo, Sol, Surya, or simply, the King: the sun has manifested in various cultures. Its role is still however, at our core, mysterious and powerful. The sun is rightly feared at midday when only mad dogs and Englishmen go out without hats or umbrellas.This overhead fire curtain can lightly grill your brains, or at least fry the grey matter to an omelette. Better just have a siesta. Sunset watching makes much more sense. If you start about about 3pm, but especially be there the last hour when the sun is at its most majestic. Most temples were built specifically around the sun's position at sunrise or sunset, and encoded an astronomical relationship to the sun and stars such as Sirius.<br />
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There are many aspects, and symbolic functions to the sun and in Pagan and Pantheistic beliefs, it was the absolute central force, the <i>sine qua non </i>of survival<i> </i>and the life-death annual cycle. Much of that potency has been forgotten culturally sidelined by religious dogma. The body needs electricity from solar light and this is a kind of nourishing energetic food for our bodies. Looking at the sun can help store this electric power in the body. Even the Bible, Ecclesiastes 11:7 says 'the light is also sweet. It is good to look at the sun."<br />
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It is unfortunate then for countries which rarely see the sun and people live subdued, and only half-alive under oppressive-looking clouds, day in day out. Darkness has its own powers to sap the energy, and it is perhaps not strange that the acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder is the same as for Sudden Arrhythmic Death. <br />
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To quote Santos Bonacci, astro-theologist, sun-gazing, as opposed to mere sunbathing, though this is evidently a form of sungazing, should be an essential part of your life. " <i>When we stare at the sun in the appropriate time and appropriate manner, the electric energy of the sun which is unlike any other energy and the electric forces are then channelled through the nervous system." </i>The Hindus also said look at the sun and you will receive all the energy you need.<br />
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We feel it happening and the glow of sungazing can last a very long time, recharging our batteries in mid-winter, just when we need restorative power the most. Remembering the sun helps us to be closer to who we really are. It realigns us to the centre of all things. So happy sungazing, whether yours is physical or mental or actively 'eating' the light and storing it for later use. It will help you to be the centre point of your own circle, equidistant from your own circumference, and throw a bit more light around.<br />
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<b>Kieron Devlin</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtc2Ye9s5HYVCiOdEsanp-Yu-KSR4f_q4azJegFee9tFUFlC3Ym4MYn8q0l_AaOZXtdzY1EId7EJFm86HoVmhRc_A5RxN9URPciYw44er7hFcyr8idJllOUL7HX4OhBTSWYU3I4g/s1600/IMAG0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtc2Ye9s5HYVCiOdEsanp-Yu-KSR4f_q4azJegFee9tFUFlC3Ym4MYn8q0l_AaOZXtdzY1EId7EJFm86HoVmhRc_A5RxN9URPciYw44er7hFcyr8idJllOUL7HX4OhBTSWYU3I4g/s320/IMAG0511.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152392183420">See Kieron's Photo Album <i>Sunsets</i> on Facebook </a><br />
<br />
more information on Sungazing, and how people can go without food by gazing at the sun, and some interesting videos about<br />
<a href="http://www.in5d.com/sun-gazing.html">Sun Gazing</a><br />
<br />
Kieron Devlin,<br />
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Kieron Devlin, 2013 all rights reserved</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span></div>
KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-70171562426279082682012-02-12T15:29:00.002+00:002014-05-05T13:58:36.167+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b> <span style="font-size: large;">The Bigger Picture: The Paintings of David Hockney</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLxOkOmDv4v9bs0lK5CJJm5qK7HBzaM_qQSGAWqxPcyl4FiH9TZTzRCdObc5NMnd0W7pQvdcE4dZQw1Kwsjobvq2wVXVq7xdIsqdIq_ikgnZOs-2H_H-xlYyMugOap2xQ8qUugA/s1600/the-arrival-of-spring-153-01-15768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLxOkOmDv4v9bs0lK5CJJm5qK7HBzaM_qQSGAWqxPcyl4FiH9TZTzRCdObc5NMnd0W7pQvdcE4dZQw1Kwsjobvq2wVXVq7xdIsqdIq_ikgnZOs-2H_H-xlYyMugOap2xQ8qUugA/s400/the-arrival-of-spring-153-01-15768.jpg" height="150" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Arrival of Spring Woldgate </i>(2011) David Hockney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bravo Mr Hockney. In this latest exhibition 'The Bigger Picture' at the Royal Academy which is on a grand scale, there are a lot of trees. Trees become symbolic, almost mythic, but also literal, whether as stunted barks, or vigorous slender columns of strength, or just as chopped and piled up timber- they are all so closely observed that you begin to get a glimpse beyond the surface to feel the presence of trees. What Hockney tells us about trees only the trees can say,
but what is really on show here is the optical phenomenon of scale and size and how it
relates realistically to human perception. Yes, it is obvious. But no one has laid it out so clearly as Hockney.<br />
<br />
He takes you through the changing aspects of vision through the human eye, the way focal points are dynamic and changing, and you become aware of the peripheral visual intake at the same time as forming a 'whole' picture. Somehow all of this perception knowledge condensed into several canvases stitched together. He achieves this control of the whole by using digital technology, as some pictures would be too cumbersome to do on location, or even in a studio. Some are made up of 50 canvases, locked together which could be exhibited smaller assembled sections.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4qFREJ7ZJi1LAvk7yxmF4m13gPRwMMiSf-oGehIweoDS_KtqmU0KnnUv9ahlS41m9M72XPz9vrdZxoEmkpm6ZHONoVv2awdy4pkwA8xsTOltByKbSIhz4RsjnGdFo8eKk85YZg/s1600/hockney-key-39-15189-15194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4qFREJ7ZJi1LAvk7yxmF4m13gPRwMMiSf-oGehIweoDS_KtqmU0KnnUv9ahlS41m9M72XPz9vrdZxoEmkpm6ZHONoVv2awdy4pkwA8xsTOltByKbSIhz4RsjnGdFo8eKk85YZg/s400/hockney-key-39-15189-15194.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Woldgate Woods </i>(2006 )David Hockney </td></tr>
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<br />
The
paintings are huge, and so vivid, because so expertly painted, they li<span class="text_exposed_show">nger
long in the mind after seeing them because Hockney looked intensely hard
at each woodland scene. What a prodigious talent, and ability to shoulder a lot of hard work was my thought on passing through the galleries at the Royal Academy. One wonders whether artists like can
Damien Hurst and Tracey Emin can actually paint with a brush since that is not the skill they focus on, just more cerebral idea play. I'm not
against conceptual art, but this restores faith in the old
eye-hand-brush method and the subtle revelations it still has to offer. Of course it is derivative. Hockney is the first to acknowledge his debt to the masters. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">There is a lot of Monet here - Woldgate woods is Hockney's Garden at Giverny. That's a standard comparison, but to my mind there is <i>hommage</i> to Vlaminck as well as Derain and Matisse, the trio of the Fauves, but with this modern twist of scale and optical realism. He's still taking their first experiments that bit further. I am reminded of Proust's comment "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking landscapes but in having new eyes". Hockney helps us to put these new lenses on. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">If you get the chance to
actually stand in front of the paintings, and there are hundreds of them
on view, then do so. Stand further back and you can see the 'whole' vision. Stand closer to the paintings and you see the almost pixelated blotches - they look a mess. This is what impresses, finding the point, the position at which the parts 'gel' for the eye. There is a then a delight in looking. The other thing
I note is his 'accessibility'. You overhear lots of <span class="text_exposed_show">grey
hair blue-rinse ladies, and pot-bellied, wispy-haired men, whom one might be forgiven for thinking are not interested in art, talking ponderously about landscape painting,
totally absorbed, and making very informed comments about his use of water colour, or his expert brushwork. In fact one of my students commented 'why are there so many old people here?' But he speaks to everyone. His possesses that rare gift of making the complex
accessible and passing it on to the rest of us ordinary folks of whatever age or level of interest in art. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxs_gE9OkDo0EZF0VsZwfRNDhdhe55F8kAELxN5gLr1L6ixqpLqCAdO4DBc0BKVNsAeJ0YsDEpFDqwCP4wK9135qoutBWq6_PWKGaUF-my4y8cGgdN7_6wr9oiYlmdf7vzAPcqA/s1600/David-Hockney-Bigger-Trees-Near-Warter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxs_gE9OkDo0EZF0VsZwfRNDhdhe55F8kAELxN5gLr1L6ixqpLqCAdO4DBc0BKVNsAeJ0YsDEpFDqwCP4wK9135qoutBWq6_PWKGaUF-my4y8cGgdN7_6wr9oiYlmdf7vzAPcqA/s400/David-Hockney-Bigger-Trees-Near-Warter.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">There are
different types of cleverness and Hirst and Emin are clever indeed, and even admirable, but Hockney's
cleverness, reminds us that simple is even greater. It is larger and more encompassing. It is not just the paintings but his studious, methodical, hardworking approach to studying what he sees, that has translated to film work as well. He's hit on an
innovative way to make films recreate the actual perception of the eye.The film of a dance uses 16 different cameras and includes his old friend 'Wendy' Sleep. </span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />What does not work for me is Hockney's version of Claude Lorrain's <i>Sermon on the Mount </i>(1656) from the Frick. <i>T</i>he inclusion of figures- and even Jesus- seems contrary to Hockney's well established fustinarian credentials. After all, Hockney is the one inviting us all to continue smoking and to defy the ban. If ever there was a Yorkshire contrarian is is him. It just seems against his nature, and the studies here would best have been excluded from the exhibition. I understand the need to experiment, but it was an extra layer of soapbox message, Hockney can do without. One of the most intriguing works is 'The Grand Canyon' (1998) which hits you viscerally with its panorama of magenta, puce, and vibrant humming orange glows and sandy tones. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCGCIsS3q9j8D-8iQjRoTPK0WOtru_oZ_hfaCpaWQ1FZSQ87gSgvxjRYGe02h2w1dRnBPGl7qS9T4bYym6ok0hi2c0J_QdwUl5_k1fCvF1rQJf4cQL2MFgjKgeVivXY-WG7cM5Q/s1600/the+Grand+Canyonwhole" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCGCIsS3q9j8D-8iQjRoTPK0WOtru_oZ_hfaCpaWQ1FZSQ87gSgvxjRYGe02h2w1dRnBPGl7qS9T4bYym6ok0hi2c0J_QdwUl5_k1fCvF1rQJf4cQL2MFgjKgeVivXY-WG7cM5Q/s400/the+Grand+Canyonwhole" height="110" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Grand Canyon</i> (1998) David Hockney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">I have never been a great fan of landscape painting, apart from liking a few Impressionists and post impressionists, and how they capture fleeting light, but 'The Bigger Picture' makes me want to begin looking all over again at trees and woods and farmlands and seeing them in this light. I always did see them this way, so as mentioned to a friend, it is nothing new, alas, but if his paintings trigger a desire to paint or even just to see the world more 'wholly' in others, it can only be a good thing.</span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/hockney/about-the-exhibition/"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">David Hockney: The Bigger Picture </span></span></a><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Till 9th April, 2012.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">© Kieron Devlin, 2013 All rights reserved</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/sections/nlp.htm" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/KDjupiter</a></span>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-62668882146091445342012-02-05T19:55:00.002+00:002014-05-05T13:59:18.671+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Otlre Confine </i>latest edition, January 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DEAR ME: THE VALUE OF A DAILY DIARY OR JOURNAL</span><br />
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This third installment of the magazine of the visible and invisible worlds <a href="http://www.oltre-confine.com/">Oltre Confine</a> is on the topic of Diaries and Journals and their value to the psyche. Journaling has long been recognized as contributing to mental equilibrium, so it is no news to explain exactly how scribbling your thoughts down every day or as often as you can can have a benefit to your personal growth. But surprisingly so few really take advantage of this and use it as a daily practice. 'No time' seems to be the biggest excuse, but it is well worth finding that window of time. Please the column from the English version below.</div>
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The column is very tightly controlled by the editor so one of the books I didn't have space to cite from is Louise de Salvo's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Way-Healing-Telling-Transforms/dp/0807072435"><i>Writing as a Way of Healing</i> (2000)</a>. A limit of 3,850 spaces is too compressed to make much sense. So much needs proper expansion and explanation.</div>
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De Salvo's book, more than any other, delves deeply into the psychology of writing and the link between suffering and memoirs, autobiographical writing, or just healing writing workshops and the stuff writing brings up.</div>
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Salvo is a scholar of Virginia Woolf so brings a wealth of literary references to the table. She cites that in the novel 'To the Lighthouse' (1927) Woolf finally exorcised the ghosts of her mother and father. 'Writing is a sturdy ladder out of the pit' said Alice Walker. One way out of that pit we find ourselves trapped in is to go mad. Another perhaps to keep it locked up inside, to repress and watch it pop up again as the shadow side, the trickster. Another way is to write it all out on to a page. So writing is a ladder, a narrative chain that forms the right connections in the brain to restore health. To exhibit these struggles to the world in book form is marvellous, but it is really not necessary to gain the psychological benefit of wholeness and being propelled along the process of, as Jung called it, 'individuation'. You just have to write it for yourself and if it dies along with you, then it will still have served its purpose.</div>
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The link between creativity and repair of the psyche has not gone unnoticed either. Andrew Brink wrote that 'The impulse to write comes from early damage to the self. Doubt, pain, anxiety are fuel that drive the creative process.' While writing itself is not therapy, and not a substitute for it, it nevertheless permits us to be cohesive, elaborate, thoughtful, personal in a narrative form which always robs any trauma of its power to hurt us.
So enjoy this taster on diaries. If you continue to write daily, you could be amazed to see how far you have travelled on this earth school trip called life we are all on.<style>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-91436531620245135982011-12-19T14:50:00.000+00:002011-12-21T14:05:35.825+00:00Narrative Medicine: From Sickness to Health<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Altar</i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> by Mikalujus Ciurlionis (1909)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This is the second of the monthly installments on the topic of writing and its healing qualities for <a href="http://www.oltre-confine.com/" target="_blank"><i>Olte Confine (Outer Limits)</i></a>
magazine. Issue number two is now out and it continues to show how
thoughtful, open-minded inquiry can lead to an informative, tasteful
production, beautifully illustrated and presented in magazine format on
quality paper. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">There is an article on Jiddu Krishnamurti who bravely denounced even his own status as a guru, declining any fawning adulation, and clearly seeing through any organised religious institutions to their power-hungry core by saying <i>"</i></span></span><span class="body" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>All ideologies are idiotic, whether religious or
political, for it is conceptual thinking, the conceptual word, which has
so unfortunately divided man.</i>" </span><br />
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<span class="body" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is also </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">an article on Pranic Healing, founded by Choa Kok Sui- and I feel it is necessary to remind people how breathing is the best and easiest connection we have to the spirit. Breathe deeper and longer and we have an instant valium-like easing of stress in our nervous system. That breathing accumulates 'chi' or 'prana' ( life energy) should come as no surprise; likewise, that it can also heal. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Then in the Literature section, an essay on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_129784844"></a><a href="http://arthealswounds.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html">Algernon Blackwood</a> who definitely is worth rereading in this day and age for his subtlety and suggestion of his writing. Don't be deceived by the antiquated style. There is an alternate reality bursting through the veil in most of his stories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Plus, the front cover of <i>numero due </i>is intriguing, a painting called 'The Altar' by Lithuanian symbolist, <a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/mikalojus-ciurlionis/the-altar-1909#supersized-artistPaintings-194359">Mikalojus Ciurlionis ( 1875-1911)</a> who was also a composer. He, like many who are synaesthetes, perecieved colours and sounds as fused together, so not surprisingly many of his paintings are named after musical forms, sonatas and preludes. His works are marvels of colour and ambiguous shading.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Perhaps the whole magazine could be translated into English
one day. I can't think of another quality magazine in English, not ridden with advertising, purely for the interest in the ideas. Each of my columns is translated into Italian each month showcasing the key ideas from the research I've done into how writing heals. This is
exclusively shown here and on my blog and the plan is to put them all together into an e-book. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This second installment covers <b><i>Narrative Medicine or Pathographesis</i></b>,
the proliferation of narratives about how the soul was put on trial in
the body through diseases and how that transforms people. The
next one is about how keeping a daily diary or journal can keep you
sane. So watch out for that in the new year 2012. This is part of a
short series of explorations of how writing heals based on my research
and experience as a writer of all things difficult, exploring, among other things, how writing can be time travel, yoga, meditation and take us to the core of our minds.<span id="GD__CURSOR"> </span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="GD__CURSOR">For a full pdf of this article click the Oltre Confine image on</span></span></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="GD__CURSOR"> <a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a></span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="GD__CURSOR">Kieron </span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">©</span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Kieron Devlin, </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span id="GD__CURSOR">all rights reserved, 2011 </span></span></span><span id="GD__CURSOR"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-77664435105724014942011-11-19T20:31:00.004+00:002011-11-20T14:01:45.689+00:00''Healing Through Writing in 'Oltre Confine'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just to introduce my new monthly column for <a href="http://www.oltre-confine.com/"><i>Olte Confine (Across the Border)</i></a> magazine. November, Issue Numero Uno is now out and what a splendid production it is. Written in Italian, with headquarters in Rome, it is a tastefully designed feast of philosophical ideas. It is committed to 'global illumination' no less, through acknowledging the fact that we are living through a kind of neo-renaissance era, in which a transformation of the collective consciousness is taking place. <span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps">'<i>Across the Border</i></span> <span class="hps">is a</span> <span class="hps">publishing project</span> <span class="hps">of the</span> <span class="hps">Cooperative</span> <span class="hps">Inner</span> <span class="hps">Space</span><span>,</span> <span class="hps">which aims</span><span class="">, through a variety</span> <span class="hps">of artistic</span> <span class="hps">and cultural</span> <span class="hps">activities</span><span>,</span> <span class="hps">to promote</span> <span class="hps">the awakening of</span> <span class="hps">the spiritual</span><span>,</span> <span class="hps">mental</span> <span class="hps">and</span> <span class="hps">creative</span> <span class="hps">individuals</span><span class="">.' </span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class=""> </span></span>For those, like me, who only know a few words of Italian, here is the first installment in English: <i>Healing Through Writing: An</i> <i>Introduction.</i> For a better view of it, go to my website <a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a>. The column is designed to be a short series of explorations of how writing heals based on my research and experience as a writer and purveyor of the psychological interior, and of all things difficult. It will explore, among other things, how writing can be time travel, yoga, hypnosis, meditation and take us to the core of our minds, causing reintegration. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The magazine is a very lavish but elegant, with articles on fascinating artists, and all things esoteric and spiritual. For example the the Zero Issue has an article on one of my all time favourite artists, Odilon Redon, by Silvia Tusi. Redon said once that 'to understand all is to love everything'. Also, the current issue approaches the divinely-inspired William Blake, so favoured by Patti Smith, she featured a reverent visit to Blake's gravestone at Bunhill cemetery here in East London in her documentary film 'Dream of Life' directed by Steven Sebring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They have an in-house artist who did this impression of me in pencil.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next installment will be on <i>Pathographies: From Sickness to Health.</i> Look out for that. It's a big challenge for me to see if I can write pithily and encompass a great deal in a short space. Giovanni Piccoza, the editor, invited me to render for the Italian readership what I know about how writing and healing interact. So, in a sense, these columns may become tasters for the book I should be writing and a reminder of all the work I still need to do to achieve that- plus, not least that I need to learn Italian, <i>'e quanto difficile sara'</i>?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why does writing heal? Simple - as Aristotle said, one of the strongest of human motivations is not food, sex or survival, but self expression. It is as though he meant -we must do that or die.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kieron</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-6876824483579331802011-08-21T12:21:00.009+01:002014-05-05T14:03:26.580+01:00Hypnosis and Meditation: Are they the Same or Different?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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They say that "when the student is ready, the teacher appears," but when I began writing this article on <i><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">Hypnosis and Meditation: Same or Different</a></i> (<i>Yoga and Health Magazine</i>, August, 2011) it was just the opposite. The teacher appeared in the guise of a student, obliging me to take the role of teacher.</div>
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I was looking for a deeper angle on meditation. I didn't feel my own practice was enough to speak with absolute authority, even though I had trained in Raja Meditation back in eighties with the Philosophy School in the UK. With quiet-spoken candour, verging on shyness, the man I approached feigned ignorance of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. He asked <i>me</i> to explain it to <i>him</i>, as though he was a novice. I was dumfounded - he had flattered me to thinking hypnosis was more interesting to him, when the fact was that I wanted to know more about meditation from him. It was a guileless, but nevertheless, clever technique to put me first and himself last. </div>
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From that interview in his office, I gleaned some of the insights into Vedic-style meditation from a serious, long-term meditator. His name was Nataraj - the spiritual director, not the overall master, but the <i>de facto</i> guru of the ashram. 'Nataraj' means 'King of Dancers' referring to one of Shiva's many forms. He explained meditation from the Vedic point of view - but for Buddhists too, meditation is the cornerstone of altering ordinary perception of reality to the subtle energetic layers of existence. It is a direct way of understanding that we are not our body - there is an essence beyond yet within it.</div>
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I drew three circles for him to explain what I thought were the similarities and differences between hypnosis and meditation and where they overlapped. This was my rough draft of the chart in the article- still being developed I might add. He offered me ginger tea and seemed only mildly curious about me and my life in England. It was as though he was declaring the outside world to be an 'illusion' to be kept at arm's length; he rarely paid much attention to it, yet any little nuggets of info I could bring from my investigations were curiosities to him. I was, in effect, his news conduit. </div>
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This ruse deflected any awkwardness and nerves on my part about being with a real 'guru'. There's this silly idea that they can somehow see right through you. In front of them, you become emotionally naked. I thought 'this must be his strategy of selflessness so that everyone felt good in his presence; felt the allure of the spirit; and he must see a lot of people; yet each one must feel acknowledged; noticed; even though he probably will never remember your name - which would not matter anyway.</div>
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For him, the notions of the Causal, Mental and Physical Bodies and how they interconnected were very important, as was the concept of Karma, of cause and effect and Ahimsa (avoiding harm). Getting to the Causal body- where it all starts- is similar to accessing the subconscious mind to reframe beliefs and dispel problems. He asked me to write names that I'd mentioned: <a href="http://www.healingsounds.com/">Jonathan Goldman</a>, <a href="http://www.near-death.com/tart.html">Charles Tart</a>, and the <a href="http://www.themeditationsolution.com/brainwaveguide.htm">Epsilon frequenc</a>y. As, he didn't spend a lot of time surfing the net, he was fascinated about the the Dalai Lama who encourages scientists to do experiments on Tibetan monks, monitoring their brain-wave frequencies. I said that the Epsilon frequency, was linked to deep-sleep states, knowledge of which the Tibetans excel. </div>
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All this was at the <a href="http://www.sivananda.org/ndam/">Sivananda Neyyar Dam Ashram</a>, near Trivinandrum, Kerala. Thirty kilometers into the backhills away from the coast, it is well known in the area as a true haven. Yet it still feels like a well-kept secret, being to my mind, one of the most secluded and peaceful beauty spots on earth, nestled as it is on a mountain side, near a lake with soothing water for swimming. Think - jungle foliage, hidden shrines, Ayurvedic massage huts, extraordiary Hindu god statues, a rigorous yoga routine, and the echo of lions roaring in the morning, and there you have it. </div>
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It's the perfect place to meditate, especially at dawn, but even if you don't know how to meditate, and prefer just to fix problems by going inwards in the privacy of your own bedroom, it is the same place that you arrive at - the inner space. 'Wherever you go, there you are' says J.Kabat-Zinn, and this is the paradox. We always land just where we are, and that is perhaps just where we are meant to be. </div>
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It has to be said that going to exotic ashrams in itself does not make your meditation any better than anyone else's. Pretty surroundings can even be a distraction, though it does help a bit with peripheral focus. You can effectively do meditation anywhere, even while walking. For those who are stuck in a low-paid, nine-to-five job that doesn't permit holidays to yoga retreats, there's always the comfortable chair at home. Just begin just closing your eyes and 'being there'.<br />
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Likewise, for those who are turned off by all the Hindu or Buddhist terminology and iconography, you can relax too: hypnosis with a trained hypnotherapist or a session by yourself of self hypnosis, is a great way - and a gateway! - to the path inwards. Sometimes we don't need to travel far to get where we want to be. It's right there at home all the time.</div>
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Fortunately it's all a big cumulative, virtuous circle: <i>the more people can genuinely relax, the more they breathe deeply; the more able they are to connect to their inner energies, the more able they are to gain intuition and insight; the more they are able to relax in situations that used to stress them out, the more they are able to gain a handle on tricky problems; the more confident they get at overcoming obstacles, the less fear and anxiety they experience, and so on and so on.</i> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siva, Lord of the Dance</td></tr>
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So sit with a straight spine and gently close your eyes, listen to the regular intake of breath in and out, rest awhile here, and just BE wherever you are for a few minutes and that's IT. That's just fine.<br />
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Follow your goals, but hold on to them lightly, for goals sometimes make us feel upset with what we have.</div>
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Both Hypnosis and Meditation are healing and integrative processes - not exactlythe same, but sharing similar approaches - and while there are still people who have difficulties with life, or feel stuck, or afraid, or locked in patterns they can't get out of, these techniques will both be needed to restore harmony.</div>
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Namaste</div>
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KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-35528974377716650542011-06-15T09:09:00.007+01:002011-06-16T15:00:03.105+01:00Re Energize with Donna Eden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Let the body think of the spirit <br />
as streaming, rushing, <br />
pouring, shining into it from</i><br />
<i> all sides. </i><br />
<b>Plotinus</b><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have not discovered Donna Eden before, you are in for a treat. If you already know her, then you’ll realise that she is a powerhouse of light that shines into the field of energy medicine. She is a pioneer of the ideas that the body wants to heal. It is more intelligent than the brain. It is just that we often get in the way or fail to understand its energies. Her work is accessible, without dumbing down, and holds profound implications for the way we conceive of health and the human body. So when she was doing an energy medicine workshop in London, I knew nothing would keep me away. I had to meet this phenomenon. Her energy precedes her and you notice her 'effect' as she bounces on to the stage, grinning endlessly and laughing infectiously. You could - as the announcer said- feel her presence even before you arrived. You just knew she would be a effervescent personality, and that has a tonic effect on your general spirits. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2053675006" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRxGiki_9r5rFeTDnmSrG7R14ke8MCYjbjJWYHkzCbM5c2qcNCsoWrX33mz3bsgVpHqFw0Odr8hdzCx77JmWaKq4OsWckOHjzhhACUhuYu1m_X4uXnakb4EdTDJHImMi2XSeS6A/s200/em_4women_donna1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.innersource.net/em/about/aboutdonna.html">Donna Eden</a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What is immediately evident is this radiance that makes the electromagnetic field around her almost tangible. After about five minutes of this people were feeding off the energy like vampires. Her spontaneity and fire was in full force. This Eden 'sparkle' most likely comes from working with her own body and charging up its vital force- call it <i>chi</i> or <i>prana</i> – in all its forms. She talks of nine systems, including the meridians lines as used in acupuncture, the triple warmer, the aura, the strange flows ( which align us with longer cycles of nature) and the Celtic Weave. The more people know about these invisible channels of energy, the more likely they are to be of radiant health as Taoist doctors have maintained for centuries. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is a recoveree from multiple sclerosis and other debilitating diseases. The message is especially relevant in this current era- that your personal wound is exactly the one you heal in order to teach others the same. She is a 'wounded-healer' teacher of first rank. More than anyone else I have come across, Eden has increased my awareness of the body’s hidden lattice work of energies and kept me on the track of good health. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many remain unaware, or have only a dim recognition, that these energies exist. <i>What? You can't 'see' them ergo they are not there!!</i> But they are there. One reason we fail to see them might be that in Western medicine the body is regarded as a concrete, solid object, full of discrete parts to be surgically removed when they go wrong. Yet there are many signs of major shift in the perception towards an more subtle organising energy principle like an electromagnetic field, a life force that governs the overall vital health. Kirlian photography shows that heat lines travelling along these meridian lines. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRgkp-E_OhFqUqhyphenhyphenwJBy57OScbAQ8NHV__Y73RH84bRCfdDr_qpAgZeiwiYOf2i-r9auZAG8uB8BUwKbQhpfEXnUK-N0t__vDbAR5eVWCIs5A-ikUgtdnEcinz6sGG77Qi8BQjA/s1600/188045_141538732560198_5986413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRgkp-E_OhFqUqhyphenhyphenwJBy57OScbAQ8NHV__Y73RH84bRCfdDr_qpAgZeiwiYOf2i-r9auZAG8uB8BUwKbQhpfEXnUK-N0t__vDbAR5eVWCIs5A-ikUgtdnEcinz6sGG77Qi8BQjA/s200/188045_141538732560198_5986413_n.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Feinstein</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">David Feinstein, her partner, was also presenting, and commented every so often, adding points, sharpening the blurry edges of Donna's explanations. They make a great double act: right and left brain working in a dance of complementary modes. He looks distinguished, tall with grey hair and she obviously loves him being around. In his very ill-fitting suit, he was the left brain, calming and organising, giving the scientific bases underscoring the energy medicine philosophy. Donna was the visual/kinaesthetic, emotional core; wilder and freer- getting it out of sequence in her enthusiasm, having to ask what she was doing in the middle of doing it- but her assistants were there to help her out, yet she was help taking it all in, and did not forget anyone who asked for help. She is the planetary sun in solar system of the Eden family. While, he wore grey, black, purple; she wore bright orange; plum and pink. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Donna certainly delivers. She dealt promptly and effectively with people who had headaches, back aches, breathing problems, chronic fatigue, and even lock jaw. She descrambled people whose energies were not fully integrated, and thus not working at full potential. She was very unplanned, gauging what she would do on the basis of what the audience wanted, fielding questions that went off at every tangent. She would bring anyone who asked a question up on stage. She worked on them directly often with startling effect. Then she would laugh and say, ‘that’s it you’re done now, you are healed, you can go.’ Usually they were ‘fixed,’ at least temporarily, and happy to have received their super ‘hug’ from Donna. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3J2v-61Dbb7wp2MN6luEZfHPeklkTdbpIB76DfdGf7cYGrKTrkhXgZC2NL4JmlGd9OUITQiQWpJRcGK-rLMXG_JynPdO7cCqyhMX6oqI3k9adAoKVIcOnpj6iweAIy5lyVvnzQ/s1600/Titanya-165.jpg.w300h372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3J2v-61Dbb7wp2MN6luEZfHPeklkTdbpIB76DfdGf7cYGrKTrkhXgZC2NL4JmlGd9OUITQiQWpJRcGK-rLMXG_JynPdO7cCqyhMX6oqI3k9adAoKVIcOnpj6iweAIy5lyVvnzQ/s200/Titanya-165.jpg.w300h372.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titanya Eden</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then there was Donna's daughter, <a href="http://energymedicineforkids.com/energy_dance.html">Titanya</a> floating around. On first sight, almost a carbon copy of Donna herself, with the same recognisable frizzy-blonde hair, but Titanya has her own unique vibe with her music and quasi-oriental dance moves. Titanya having grown up with Donna has made her own version of energy medicine - energy dance. This involved twining your hands around in figure eights, and shimmying your hips like jelly, needless to say very popular. She is co-authoring a book with her mother on Energy Medicine for children. Yet some, no doubt, would find the eternal grinning off putting thinking Donna can't be this happy ALL the time. But it seems she is. Plus she always tests positive for a hot fudge sundae- her favourtie dessert. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have already read the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Medicine-Donna-Eden/dp/1585420212"><i>Energy Medicine</i></a> (1999) the workshop brings it all to life. She showed how someone with homolateral (not fully integrated energies) reads in front of someone it redirects their energies. She showed how in couples, if one reads strong and the other weak, they have an alternating current effect on each other- the one matching and complementing the other, switching as needed. She showed how the most ‘difficult’ people just had crossed energies which could affect your own. Empathic people with sensitive auras should stay away from Shopping Centres unless they know how to do the <i>Zip Up</i>. Also, if your spleen energy is low you can borrow energy from the Triple Warmer to top it up and vice versa. </div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’ll not forget now that Spleen and Triple Warmer are polar opposites, like tides on opposite shores on an ocean, when one is low, the other is high. Interestingly, <a href="http://www.myss.com/">Caroline Myss</a> herself has written a foreword to the new edition of <i>Energy Medicine</i>, but I think it does not quite do justice to Eden's contribution. It sounds terrible ‘dry’ somehow to say only that Donna provided a 'backbone study' for this field. There is a sternness in Ms Myss, a steely core that is somewhat unflinching. Donna is 'juicy' and full of 'pizazz,' but you'd never guess that from Myss' introduction. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The infectious laughter and puppy-dog grin should not put you off from realising that Donna Eden has achieved a remarkable feat of bringing this intimate knowledge of the body and its energy systems to the attention of the world.One easy way to enjoy an increase in energy is to follow Donna's simple <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr-FEoY440g">Five-Minute Energy Routine</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl6l_cU2AUE1ceEITK-A2klCdRr2YyjQMwl3nzRpak2BeFilZMuXqKfxFoPridchFkX5J0DkjIj7Gyp4WKwlKvcPq128onwilnFdvvt0LCpi8IMesdzPmaOLj_xrfsah3y0sc8A/s1600/IMG00251-20110605-1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl6l_cU2AUE1ceEITK-A2klCdRr2YyjQMwl3nzRpak2BeFilZMuXqKfxFoPridchFkX5J0DkjIj7Gyp4WKwlKvcPq128onwilnFdvvt0LCpi8IMesdzPmaOLj_xrfsah3y0sc8A/s200/IMG00251-20110605-1144.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donna signing books</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I enjoyed my day with Donna Eden and felt energized by it. She showed us some simple observable phenomena that can be tested by tracing or locking meridians up and down. If you trace a meridian line backwards, people lose energy- which they did. Also, if your energy is scrambled and you have to talk, or teach people, your scrambled energy scrambles theirs and reverses their flow. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We come across people who are like this all the time. These are things we all experience and even sense vividly, but have no other way of explaining except through energy flow and energy medicine has some useful, easy-to-learn techniques to help improve the level of body awareness on the planet. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">© <o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kieron Devlin, June 2011, all rights reserved.</span></b></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a></div></div>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-82329977565451927512011-04-10T14:01:00.010+01:002011-06-17T10:46:31.684+01:00THE POSITIVE IN THE NEGATIVE, Part 2: Extracting the benefit out of anxiety, depression and disappointment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><link hre=""></link><style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Ayuthaya;">I had the blues because I had no shoes<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Ayuthaya;"> until upon the street,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Ayuthaya;"> I met a man who had no feet. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Ayuthaya;">Persian Saying<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">All the contrarians in the world can now rejoice they have found a voice. Dr. Rorem’s theory of the power of the negative thinking is not just alluring, but can be an effective strategy for managing anxiety. As we saw in <a href="http://arthealswounds.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-be-positive-while-still-being.html">Part 1</a> of this article, having positive attitude alone is not sufficient for highly anxious people. There is the ‘defensive pessimism’ a strategy which works where just being positive fails. Even Martin Seligman, the father of the positivity movement acknowledges this. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tD1R4JbxfmFMgPlKCrj7RN3gvA5pZvsHvGte_wSCu8l1ASfieCbdYoMpqHNrhu2mQz8EA3Bh27VtuOJQ89zYbKLg14JgRpFIdXuEad1fjDo0gP3_JF-wVu0ebHrF6vcNw_ZVA/s1600/a866d96f6de1beb09306e7bf6160051e5c4eca12_254x191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tD1R4JbxfmFMgPlKCrj7RN3gvA5pZvsHvGte_wSCu8l1ASfieCbdYoMpqHNrhu2mQz8EA3Bh27VtuOJQ89zYbKLg14JgRpFIdXuEad1fjDo0gP3_JF-wVu0ebHrF6vcNw_ZVA/s200/a866d96f6de1beb09306e7bf6160051e5c4eca12_254x191.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Seligman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">It is also true that genuinely resilient positivity often grows out of a depressive personality, because it started from shaky roots; like Seligman himself, he knows not to go back there. Its strength is tested by experience. It was William James who first said that changing your attitude can change your life, which is still a vital message for angst-ridden people, even though the thought of changing their world view spins them into greater anxiety. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The evidence is still overwhelming that having the grace of hope against all odds is an evolved way to be, ensuring your life will be more tuned-in and successful. According to numerous studies, positive people tend to exceed their performance (<a href="http://www.authentichappiness.com/">www.authentichappiness.com</a>) with positive attitude. But anxious people do much better by using this ‘negative anticipation’ method, in maintaining their paranoia rather than clicking the switch to <a href="http://www.freewillastrology.com/">pronoia</a> or conscious optimism. If you accentuate the positive, that’s what you find in abundance, but fault-finders also find exactly what they seek. Looking on the black side can be addictive. It is the same universe that satisfies both. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">From the kernel of painful, traumatic experiences something strong is forged. So is there any point avoiding it or being fearful of the difficult? We feel bad when we don’t get what we want. Oscar Wilde noted that if you don’t get what you want, think of the things you don’t want, that you don’t get. This is a neat compensation trick, requiring some effort of perception.<i> </i>This is what we need to do with disappointment and difficulty - to extract the beneficial juice and somehow alchemically distill the reason why it happened to us. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soren Kierkegaard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The novel <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Therapy-David-Lodge/dp/014025380">Therapy<span style="font-style: normal;"> (1995)</span></a></i> by David Lodge is a fine example of how for the character of Tubby - getting fat, losing your hair, getting divorced, becoming impotent, and having a bad knee- can all actually turn out be good for you. Tubby finds that the word ‘dread’ nails his own issue more than ‘anxiety’ which tends to trivialize the feeling. He discovers hidden affinities with Danish philosopher, <a href="http://www.en.wikipedia-org/wiki/Soren-Kierkegaard">Kierkegaard.</a> This ‘dread’ suggests that we often fail to ‘coincide’ with ourselves, missing the best of our current life as we focussed on ‘dread.’ Twenty years ago, I read Kierkegaard and it was as electrifying to me then as it is to Tubby to read the words: ‘an unhappy man is always absent to himself, never present.’ But there was more… <b>‘</b><i><b>on the one hand he constantly hopes for something he should be remembering. On the other hand he constantly remembers something he should be hoping for. Consequently, what he hopes for lies behind him and what he remembers lies before him.’</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">This is unfortunately the condition of many; we fail to be at home to ourselves. We fail to be relaxed in our true nature. We are too busy ‘futurising’ and ‘pasturising’ so to speak, playing the ‘when... then’ game: <b>When</b> I get X, <b>then</b> I’ll feel happy. Oh what a twisted world we inhabit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Lodge’s <i>Therapy</i> is by turns serious and hilarious. It highlights this paradox: how useful it can be when you suffer agonies and depression to see these experiences as valid, formative and necessary. Shakespeare’s words ring ever true here, ‘<b>the sweet uses of adversity.’</b> We can in fact reclaim these negative experiences and, like rubbish hawks, recycle discarded stuff found on the waste tip of your life, and creatively put it to good use again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean Rhys</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Writer, Jean Rhys, wrote brilliant books, such as <i>Wide Sargasso</i> <i>Sea</i> (1966), but never enjoyed any success from them in her lifetime. She once said that if she could have her life all over again, she would rather have been happy than have been a writer. But, we might ask, can happy people ever be good writers? Is not unhappiness the secret ingredient of good books? It is hard to conceive of a truly happy person wanting to be a writer. The myth would suggest that happy people are too </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">busy being happy to bother writing.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">So let us hope that Rhys's wish is granted in a happier incarnation now, in which she finds libraries, books and typewriters naturally abhorrent. But perhaps there would not be many interesting books left to read if every writer felt this way? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Other writers swear that their unhappiness is their true muse. Take the pain and sickness away from them and they have nothing left, just an abyss lacking clear purpose or identity. They only write when they are unhappy or because of unease about something. Writing out painful experiences is a form of healing medicine for them. Writing is certainly therapy, as is well documented. It channels one other ‘use’ to which adverse experience can be put. The ultimate goal then might be for the writer to stop writing - making writer’s block, contrarily, a symptom of good mental health, not bad. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">During a long period of depression back in the late eighties and mid nineties, I was one of those annoying people who only obsessed about the things that went wrong in my life. Depression is the antithesis of creativity, which requires openness and hope: I had neither. A person is in danger of shutting down totally, which is what I did. It caused me a lot of isolation and heartbreak, not to mention how it must have bothered other people. I used to believe that I was the living king of disappointments, and I wrote about it as a kind of exquisite pain. I had a knack for getting things wrong, for catching life by the knife’s edge and getting hurt. I had breakdowns. I skittered around people never really getting close. I used to fancy, like Kierkegaard, that disappointment was a kind of mistress who courted me, a perverse guardian angel. When I began to use this analogy, it actually made feeling rotten, slightly better for a few minutes, even hours, so it felt good, and I could almost laugh at my clownish antics feeling sorry for myself, my broken relationships, my miserable, unstable mood swings. I was certain that I was destined to be the buffoon, to whom bad stuff adhered like glue. Astonishingly, in the UK, depression affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men, so once I began to understand how it worked inside myself, my goal became how to bring any relief possible to those who suffer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a6UrRPXc6rnKp_GjjWsqCm3BtEVKgXnuLTv32st0wjNEZwzfVoQZk3ooe7svdiWf3rq7mdTWD6ehoVpgFhwYGNvAp9eYTfPTvLk8bgE0WMFkXZWQUitcWjyAXwdUs88GzUG4eQ/s1600/woody-allen6153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a6UrRPXc6rnKp_GjjWsqCm3BtEVKgXnuLTv32st0wjNEZwzfVoQZk3ooe7svdiWf3rq7mdTWD6ehoVpgFhwYGNvAp9eYTfPTvLk8bgE0WMFkXZWQUitcWjyAXwdUs88GzUG4eQ/s200/woody-allen6153.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woody Allen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Along with learning hypnosis, humour was what helped pull me through. Humour provides the subtle key that could twist pain into a belly laugh. This new idea was the key- suddenly seeing the funny side of what happened allowed the emotional pain to shift, and thus subside. Being a miserable sod was really a totally hilarious farce - a nasty joke the universe played at my expense. So why not laugh it out? Tickling the funny bone of depression shifted my point of view. It was like it was happening to <i>someone else.</i> Woody Allen is King of this line in has twisted logic:<b> “More than at any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other leads to extinction. Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose correctly.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLltQ3oqBKQX7ORBsekZeCOaCluiWffOygjhD4ma5mb37G9-sQzNKnRz41pzlGlstfkmvCGWW0hVMJOrU0-HnXy89GoDjpTEQdc61yKwJx4OouwcJAwvn3mav5ibO2VhDwXSpQg/s1600/IMG_2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLltQ3oqBKQX7ORBsekZeCOaCluiWffOygjhD4ma5mb37G9-sQzNKnRz41pzlGlstfkmvCGWW0hVMJOrU0-HnXy89GoDjpTEQdc61yKwJx4OouwcJAwvn3mav5ibO2VhDwXSpQg/s200/IMG_2416.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Humour, hypnosis, and writing have all served a reconstructive purpose for me. Hypnosis delves deep into mind states to unravel knotty problems, and irons out the creases of your psyche. This was all before anyone knew about EFT Emotional Freedom Technique - which is another nifty technique. Many issues rooted largely in 'fear' 'dread' and 'anxiety,' respond quickly and well to tapping directly on the energy body, which, like healing writing, triggers both right and left brain to refresh inspiration. You reconnect with the muse. Simple emotional acupuncture can often provoke multiple viewpoints. We begin to see the other sides of a problem and from that vantage point, it soon ceases to bother you. Other more complex and subtle problems tend to float up for your edification once the big ones are knocked on the head. But I have always found that recommend <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/Healing-Through-Writing/144687752219967">writing out problems </a>works incredibly well too. The more complex and horrific the feelings, the more benefit you gain from writing each tangled strand of the turmoil out on paper or on a computer screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Make of this what you will, but it is the strategy of unhappy people the world over to forget to feel the fresh air on your face on their way to the Tube station. They are so busy spinning scenarios of what was and what could be, they miss where they are right now - where everything is usually pretty much okay mate. This is the self-created bubble some people live in; yet they wonder why they suffer. Try to pop this illusion, push them out of their comfort zone and they become incredibly upset, even fighting to keep it. <o:p></o:p>We often feel locked in a complex sense of reality that loves to feel the pain of dis-contentedness. The neurotic state can make pain seem like joy, making some people happy being unhappy perhaps? This too might be an as yet uncharted great survival strategy in the making. Ultimately, it is an incomplete picture of who we are.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">From the standpoint of hypnotherapy one size certainly does not fit all. Positive attitude alone does not always solve the problem. The therapist has to be extremely flexible, adapting a variety of techniques to suit the idiosyncrasies of the client. What’s negative to some is positive to others and <i>vice versa</i>. Anything that ‘works’ for clients, however odd, or irrational, is usually there for a reason at that point in their lives. Yet, most who come for help are simply not happy with their current mental landscape and need help controlling what they think about that. What we think determines how we feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Control of thoughts is essential yet so difficult for a lot of people. We have unconscious beliefs. People with performance anxiety for example tend to run this ‘constructive pessimism’ strategy, as Rorem suggests, so perhaps it's manageable. Yet, they can go on imagining terrible things over and over and are locked in that pattern. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">In the end we all have to decide what we want to feel. The mind controls it all; we decide we feel happy or unhappy, pissed off or frustrated. Bad things happen. This gives us access to is our personal alchemy, our magic of wringing the honey and ‘sweet uses’ out of repeated anxiety, depression and disappointment. We should not ignore suffering or the patterns that dog us or weaken us, but we do get to decide exactly how we want to cope with it by whatever means works for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
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</style> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">© </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>Copyright, Kieron Devlin, 2011, all rights reserved</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">http://www.kierondevlin.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">To Read Part 1 of this Article, The Positive in the Negative <a href="http://arthealswounds.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&max-results=13">Click Here </a> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-33425202244934774132011-02-13T17:37:00.007+00:002011-03-01T20:33:27.419+00:00Max Strom: A LIfe Worth Breathing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.maxstrom.com/">Max Strom: A Life Worth Breathing: A Yoga Master’s Handbook of Strength, Grace and Healing</a></div><blockquote style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><blockquote><i>The Tao is the breath that never dies</i> </blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><blockquote><b>Tao Te Ching</b></blockquote></blockquote><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tZgDmG8jbVeBk-w6TiF2ypVeFEyEipfJE8j_7dAmZPu7nQNRt4S_K3I7ofWvoeYl6ea4Aq0LlWMvdT5Z6BTSGinUY-f6nP32pmya_j_4eIdYmnrIvYx3xI1K501fwe0-U6raJQ/s1600/41CdEBkhZkL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tZgDmG8jbVeBk-w6TiF2ypVeFEyEipfJE8j_7dAmZPu7nQNRt4S_K3I7ofWvoeYl6ea4Aq0LlWMvdT5Z6BTSGinUY-f6nP32pmya_j_4eIdYmnrIvYx3xI1K501fwe0-U6raJQ/s320/41CdEBkhZkL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyhorse Publishing, 2010 </td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We may think we know how to breathe already. Think again. Perhaps there is an inch more oxygen to be inhaled by expanding your lung power? Attending a Max Strom class with my wintry chest cough, I felt I would not be able to get through it, but he taught me how to enlarge my lung capacity, and it was just the thing I needed. Fuller expansive chest breathing gives us more energy as it is literally the spirit and soul of life. In many languages the root of the words ‘breath’, ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ is the same.Hence the title of this book. Life is definitely worth breathing some more.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We can all breathe, but often we do not know how to do it fully and consciously. Once we realise however, that the body contains and stores emotions like grief and anger, and that the breath controls this, then healing can begin. Strom’s message is - <i>Breathe More</i> and watch this healing evolve. He has a deep, mellifluous tone, which comes from a source deep inside him and I can almost hear him say the words on the page: <i>people are scared of breathing deeply because they are scared of their emotions. </i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Strom shows that even to know simple things about yoga can help us to integrate different elements of our personality. It does not have to be esoteric. You don’t have to be able to wrap your legs around your neck to be enlightened. Flexible does not equal spiritual.<br />
<br />
Many great saints actually had stiff necks or legs. They were not nimble-footed when old, but walked like broken robots, spine bent, or not at all, as unfortunately many elderly people do. The most dangerous place for the over sixties in the USA is the bedroom and the bathroom where falls occur that can be fatal. Flexibility could help maintain a healthier, longer life. Similarly, people who are incredibly flexible, able to do the most gymnastic of poses, can still be thinking what's for dinner, or how much they hate the grouchy person next to them on the bus. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Max Strom is a kind of teacher’s teacher. He has that something ‘extra’, a deeper understanding, a balanced tone, a sharp intellect, a kindness towards those who struggle to learn, such as the over 60s, who have little coordination or balance. This may be because of his own personal struggles with pain- his clubbed feet, but he quickly realised aged 15, after starting with Chi Gong, and Chinese yoga, that yoga is transformational, and catches you for life.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I still can’t do the full wheel – it’s like hitting a wall every time I try. Deeper chest breathing could help it to eventually happen. His inclination, both in the book and in his classes, is to be calm and explain things in a way that seems simple, yet lucid, fresh and illuminating. So, the real change are not in being able to do the Side Crow, or Peacock pose, but in opening up as a person to the world around you; seeing the world differently with the ‘ears’ and the ‘eyes’ of an open heart. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABoLvmRp3tmMOEo8j_BUH_P2ZF0GP6o-lZ6taGq6NBt73YJevMhmhhQkVDEbgP7gBA9QpRg767FEJO_aWVz4GaclkI977nTZmXhPHtiHwW4waK3Sz5LOKiEqc9se3gNdu28x_YQ/s1600/maxstromimages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABoLvmRp3tmMOEo8j_BUH_P2ZF0GP6o-lZ6taGq6NBt73YJevMhmhhQkVDEbgP7gBA9QpRg767FEJO_aWVz4GaclkI977nTZmXhPHtiHwW4waK3Sz5LOKiEqc9se3gNdu28x_YQ/s320/maxstromimages.jpg" width="320" /></a>It seems a lot for yoga to manage to be able to do all of this. Yet it is deceptive. It is a big mistake to confuse ‘yoga’ with a lightweight work out session, or think it involves doing <i>asanas</i> (physical postures) only. The physical positions are only one of the eight limbs of yoga. Other branches are Pranayama (breathing) and Samyama which is the combined simultaneous practice of Dharana (concentration, intent), Dhyana, (contemplation) and Samadhi (unity). These are words he rarely uses<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span></span></span> as they tend to scare off beginners who don't like mystical claptrap. But these deeper approaches to yoga help us respond to dilemmas, connect to the world through focused attention, deeper breathing which leads us to be more present in any moment. And that can't be a bad thing<br />
<div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span> </span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Strom’s words are so apt here: to the outside observer, looking through the window of a yoga class, it is just a bunch of people stretching hamstrings, nothing more. If an illiterate person watches someone reading a book, all they see is a person with their head in pages filled with black indecipherable squiggles on. They cannot fathom the possible impact of reading, even less gauge if that person happens to be reading a life-changing novel. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We live in a market driven culture that puts premium emphasis on physical health, often overlooking the emotional and psychological issues that underpin illness. Through yogic breathing our nervous system becomes more relaxed and open to giving us heightened experiences. This is what yoga does for us. It can heal emotional complexes like depression – it can also make you look fitter and be more confident, and have a sexier butt, but the sexy butt is not the goal- just the bonus. All sensory and positive experiences are enhanced.<br />
<br />
Yoga has to be experienced to be known fully. People come to yoga to heal their back pains, their dodgy knees, and it helps them, but what keeps them coming back for more is that it heals their lives too. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This book could help trigger your desire to breathe and connect to the world in fuller, more satisfying ways. It is that simple. It is full of graceful, healing thoughts which linger in the mind just like the impression the man himself makes. It is a book worth reading for that alone.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Kieron Devlin</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a></div><br />
<br />
</div>KJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-39506830600165727962011-01-10T10:07:00.004+00:002011-01-10T10:37:57.067+00:00The WavesHere is a new hypnosis video which uses footage of the sea in Kovalam, Kerala. With background music gratefully acknowledged by Craig Pruess, the Ganesha invocation from the Sacred Chants of Devi. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavtwGZ_LWcGeLfov8l7A3RJpqj-BCDBC_c4r_1nv2geNn2KzY204LZdo4dku0BnlUHHYVvF-Q4lt19U8uldm-OYa2xyc0pbXypzmpFLeX8kQOvfkwVQfhNTh5tnbRmLJ3A7l1g/s1600/0017ffae_medium.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="197" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavtwGZ_LWcGeLfov8l7A3RJpqj-BCDBC_c4r_1nv2geNn2KzY204LZdo4dku0BnlUHHYVvF-Q4lt19U8uldm-OYa2xyc0pbXypzmpFLeX8kQOvfkwVQfhNTh5tnbRmLJ3A7l1g/s200/0017ffae_medium.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
The quote is from Virgil 'We Make our Destinies by our Choice of Gods'- a favourite of mine and Robert Ohotto's. So it's been on my mind for a while. The question is of course, if thoughts become reality, 'Whose gods are yours?' Which enculturation/indoctrination do we follow. Thoughts are embedded and often very unconscious. Often beliefs are largely unquestioned and largely Judaeo/Christian? Perhaps we should ask and examine these in order to get free of some that are no longer working well for us in today's world and turbulent economy. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOHR7MqPuxw&feature=player_embedded!">The WAVES</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yWZW0aB20MizRi75eltL2sfOqEwTVF1s52mwcUeqJ05YC7s-uUpqHXRlr4ul0qTMZ-95UXVKHBdpC279DS-LxDEHVt4qOj-71nrDYJcRlqgaEdXiqpZT20ZGyqyssSfPS8XIqw/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yWZW0aB20MizRi75eltL2sfOqEwTVF1s52mwcUeqJ05YC7s-uUpqHXRlr4ul0qTMZ-95UXVKHBdpC279DS-LxDEHVt4qOj-71nrDYJcRlqgaEdXiqpZT20ZGyqyssSfPS8XIqw/s200/IMG_1922.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It is also a reflection on waves and partly inspired by a quote from the Virginia Woolf book 'The Waves' which is really a prose poem, where the voices ask the stars to 'Consume me'. I just changed it to 'waves', consume me and set me free of the past'. <br />
<br />
If you follow the instructions given at the bottom of the video and enter into a light trance, this relaxation feeling is worth practising at any time of day and can be repeated whenever you wish. <br />
<br />
During the trance watching the waves fall on the shore, you are encouraged to make a statement of intent, your 'san kalpa' or deep intention, engraving it into the sand and seeing the waves cannot wash this away though everything else comes and goes like a thought on the shore of your mind. If you are not ready the first time; try it a second or third time so you can hold your mind still and firm.<br />
<br />
Believe fully that your intention will stick like glue. And it will. Simply because you are addressing a deeper level of mind and sending a firm instruction it is bound to follow.<br />
<br />
Hope you find it useful for reconnecting to your true desires for 2011. <br />
<br />
Health and Happiness, Peace and Love to all.<br />
<br />
KieronKJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-59781515885394233192010-09-20T22:30:00.001+01:002010-09-20T22:37:28.165+01:00The Art of Losing.... One Art by Elisabeth Bishop<b>One Ar</b>t <br />
by <i>Elizabeth Bishop</i><br />
<br />
The art of losing isn't hard to master;<br />
so many things seem filled with the intent<br />
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.<br />
<br />
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster<br />
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.<br />
The art of losing isn't hard to master.<br />
<br />
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:<br />
places, and names, and where it was you meant <br />
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.<br />
<br />
I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or<br />
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.<br />
The art of losing isn't hard to master.<br />
<br />
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,<br />
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.<br />
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.<br />
<br />
<br />
--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture<br />
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident<br />
the art of losing's not too hard to master<br />
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.<br />
<br />
<b>Elisabeth Bishop</b><br />
<br />
From <a href="http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15212">Poets.org</a> <a href="http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15212"></a><br />
<br />
From The Complete Poems 1927-1979 by Elizabeth Bishop, published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc. Copyright © 1979, 1983 by Alice Helen Methfessel. Used with permission of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, LLC. AKJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11635197037060124570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22890725.post-38777816323143865452010-09-05T19:40:00.016+01:002011-06-17T10:37:31.188+01:00How Music Heals Bodies and Minds: A Waltz on the Sublime Side<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKD%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKD%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKD%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duke Orsino:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: xx-small;">If music be the food of love, play on,<br />
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,<br />
The appetite may sicken, and so die.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: xx-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.enotes.com/twelfth-text/act-i-scene-i#twe-acti-sec-i-1"><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Twelfth Night Act 1, scene 1, 1–3</span></i></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Last week I went to the Proms with a friend. We perched high above the Albert Hall stage from the gallery looking down on the heads of the Minnesota Orchestra percussionists and the BBC Symphony Choir. The visceral thrill of this surging, pulsating music of Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 – <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-WF0PVi2FA&feature=related"><i>The Ode to Joy</i></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven</a>- had everyone transfixed- and tapping out the rhythms as Beethoven himself did at its premiere in Vienna, 1824. We experienced something larger than life, masterful, moving and euphoric - a definitive last statement on what a truly ‘great’ symphony ought to be. But the tapping got me thinking- how it is that music elates people this way?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNfSsCFVBHsyGdQcskXWEBx1m-qYoYYYh8cfQj817dcvKvsWAwirySJLK88bFP0_WWCdEeuEzTiEHW0F7wmUZzLNkAjks0TSnk9GBzfx1Ce2IKSdHE6vaATt7JSJvHNkKfOiKGA/s1600/beethoven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNfSsCFVBHsyGdQcskXWEBx1m-qYoYYYh8cfQj817dcvKvsWAwirySJLK88bFP0_WWCdEeuEzTiEHW0F7wmUZzLNkAjks0TSnk9GBzfx1Ce2IKSdHE6vaATt7JSJvHNkKfOiKGA/s200/beethoven.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ludwig van Beethoven</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">In popular culture, Beethoven’s music is forever fused with a personal experience of bliss. In the film ‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971) Alex, the crazy <i>droog</i>, says of Beethoven: <i>Oh bliss! Bliss and heaven! Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now. As I slooshied, I knew such lovely pictures! </i>It’s easy to see what he means – the rest of us struggle inarticulately to express it, ending up with the word ‘sublime’ –which is still somehow inadequate. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In Search of the Sublime<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">While memories of that film can be attributed as much to Rossini’s ‘Thieving Magpie’ as to Beethoven’s Ninth, it was amazing to think that this incredible symphonic music came from the heart of a completely deaf person. If a deaf person can hear this symphony internally, I wonder what the rest of us, with fully functioning ears, are missing out on? When it was over, we agreed that this music really ‘lifts you out of the mundane.’ Yet, not every piece of music or art can do this. So what makes this different? How exactly does music transport us out of the ordinary self and into a lather of joy? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://bostonreview.net/BR24.6/tymoczko.html">E. T. A. Hoffmann</a>, the author and music critic found that only the concept of the ‘sublime’ could express what Beethoven delivers. This notion was at the heart of Romanticism. Beethoven was to Hoffman, the <i>sublimest </i>of composers. Not only does his music induce ‘terror, fright, horror and pain’, it also ‘awakens that endless longing which is the essence of romanticism.’ Plus, it ‘opens the realm of the colossal and immeasurable,’ and ‘leads the listener away into the wonderful spiritual realm of the infinite.’ Think he means that ‘shivers-down-the-spine’ moment in the presence of something beyond our small selves. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOTCtW9v0M&feature=related">The Ninth </a>has it in spades: the shuddering, chugging repetitions, the surprising, yet satisfying contrasts, the sudden chord shifts, the sheer immensity of the conception, the logic of the development towards its grand finale. You don’t need flying shoulders to bolster your altitude with this music- it hits the high water mark, bang on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Music Boosts your Immune System<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">It is no surprise then that music can be used as your own ‘happy trigger,’ a kind of euphoria stimulator. It is another healer, like any art form. At the very least, it leaves you feeling pretty good, but it can even boost your immunity. It is personal what will work: what one loves another detests with a vengeance. So, choose wisely. Beethoven doesn’t always soothe you - the Ninth Symphony thrusts you on a roller coaster ride. It does, however, stimulate the ‘feel good’ centres of the brain, close to ‘food’ and ‘sex’ ‘chocolate’ and ‘chilli’, as studies at McGill University, Montreal have shown. In these stressed-out times, these are the happy buttons we need to press more often, so they can light up our lives. Let music, as Shakespeare says, be your ‘mind’ food- but then remember - we <i>are</i> what we eat. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The ‘Not-Just’ Mozart Effect<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6tsLupkWiQAj7aQkDil56OID3P9ZT2trIaIJKydhA0rbKm_e3reKa2KpHS-_lxdiojRYB0Bjz8jctuVaSOQXI7iXQBmIhrE4ZkxohCntOzoRwavrYEJAFnc1JBX8PjV2xOQKSA/s1600/mozart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6tsLupkWiQAj7aQkDil56OID3P9ZT2trIaIJKydhA0rbKm_e3reKa2KpHS-_lxdiojRYB0Bjz8jctuVaSOQXI7iXQBmIhrE4ZkxohCntOzoRwavrYEJAFnc1JBX8PjV2xOQKSA/s200/mozart.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Einstein loved his Mozart - it helped him to think more creatively. Some argue that Mozart has overtaken Beethoven as the world’s most adored classical star composer, but I would say, what about Bach? Vivaldi? Monteverdi? Chopin? Wagner? Just name your own. It should not matter who is tops. It doesn’t have to be classical either to move you. People can reach it copying dance moves from a Britney Spears or Rihanna video. It could be hard rock, electronica, trance dance, even punk, though ‘rock’ is said to increase the appetite, and classical reduce it. Music has even been used in psychotherapy to treat different diseases, and mental disorders, not far off what was intended for Alex in <i>A Clockwork Orange</i>. Some Tube Stations in South London, classical music is piped through the PA system, perhaps to offset rising public discontent. Shops have known this secret for years. In <a href="http://www.mozarteffect.com/">Don Campbell’s <i>The Mozart Effect</i> (1997)</a>, it proposed that fifteen minutes of Mozart was alleged to influence and improve intelligence, memory, cognitive, spatial abilities and word recall. This is said to work whether you like classical music or not. While I’m sure Mozart works a treat, Beethoven might be brought in when big guns are needed - or to reach the parts other musicians can’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Music has been used to treat autism, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and even epilepsy. Specific compositions, and even movements, are known to be effective with different illnesses. Music by Scarlatti, Corelli, Telleman and Albinoni are good for clarity of mind; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSoy4KzuZuQ">Poulenc’s <i>Concerto for Organ</i>,</a> and Wagner’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmpcdNNMos&feature=related"><i>Ride of the Valkyries</i></a> are good for releasing anger. Let despair trouble you no longer; just immerse yourself in a few Beethoven symphonies, especially Symphony number 5, parts 3 and 4; the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM8RlCZP0KQ&feature=related"><i>Pastoral </i>No 6,</a> parts 4 and 5; and the unmissable Symphony Number 9 grand finale, which, based on Schiller’s poem, helps to worship at the altar of Joy. Fully engaged listening can help trigger your new neural network designed just for joy instead of the one that leads to depression. Bulgarian psychologist, Georgi Lozanov did much the same with his theory of <a href="http://lozanov.hit.bg/page2.htm">Suggestopedia</a>, a technique of enhancing learning, which is about attitude not aptitude, by utilising background music to create positive moods. It has been used in classrooms now for decades. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Don’t even imagine either that this is all new-fangled science and can be dismissed easily - knowledge of the healing powers of music goes way back to the first mystery schools of Pythagoras and Iambilichus. Shamans from many cultures have always known how certain sounds resonate and are able to heal. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Making your own Music<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Even so, some critics have scoffed at the original tests that proved the Mozart Effect and spotted the flaws. It could have been other things that boosted intelligence, not the music, they suggested. Further testing and research was not conclusive. However, it did prove that actually playing music by far has the most ‘measurable’ effect. Thanks to brain mapping and imaging, we can pinpoint larger areas of grey matter in musicians than in non-musicians. It resides in the right auditory cortex. Practising chords and pulling a bow across strings flexes a muscle in the brain others might leave unused. Long term practice may have an impact on intelligence. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">We should conclude then that to make your own music is better than listening to it. Yet, If brain rehearsal theory is valid, then just watching someone play the violin might have impact. If you act out all the movements as well, it might give you a similar effect as playing it? This is good news for the non-musicians among us. This is a concept of 'acting out' used a lot in hypnosis. Thinking makes it so, and many difficult issues are resolved by brain rehearsal in everyday trance. It is also a way of making your own sweet music so you can dance to a different tune, and make relevant and lasting changes in your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How to Make Music Work For You<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Here are some tips for getting closer to music, for expanding its impact in your world:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Prepare to listen by removing surrounding clutter- free up space.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Sit very quietly and still so as to ‘receive’ the music.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Lose yourself in the music; become absorbed in it totally.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Drum away on the balustrade or kitchen table by all means-even hum along ( just not during a public performance please). </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Switch lights off to darkness when listening and imagine being blind. What does the music make you see?</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Watch music performance on TV on ‘mute’ - TV performance with the sound off and imagine being deaf. What do the images make you hear?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Watch the orchestra conductor’s movements and copy- act them out. You’ve seen Heavy Metal air-guitar players do it. How does it feel?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Tap out the rhythm on your fingers - nice bit of emotional acupuncture here, like EFT, attuning to the vibration</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Imagine being the composer. What would you do differently?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><o:p>Have fun</o:p></span></li>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The <i>Four Last Songs </i>by Strauss<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKS_vJXmewbNupTy5jNkZNHI_MU7im4xJwyojCpiPps4RGDaZ4hDUgMl1kR4jK42H5SEeY1uxOSJWE2dNzC-VkLwHWzgBX4-4HpGxkAL6l8ofdZwOcDR-UwUUnJbKtsCi7epM8g/s1600/4147111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKS_vJXmewbNupTy5jNkZNHI_MU7im4xJwyojCpiPps4RGDaZ4hDUgMl1kR4jK42H5SEeY1uxOSJWE2dNzC-VkLwHWzgBX4-4HpGxkAL6l8ofdZwOcDR-UwUUnJbKtsCi7epM8g/s200/4147111.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Strauss</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Tonight I’m listening to one of my favourites- the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tq1qb/BBC_Proms_2010_Rattle_and_the_Berlin_Philharmonic/"><i>Four Last Songs</i> by Richard Strauss</a> sung by Finnish soprano, Marita Katilla, again at the Proms. It’s the Berlin Philharmonika conducted by Simon Rattle. It is top class - not bad for only £5 at ticket. I’m not a classical musician, but you don’t have to be to fully appreciate this exquisite floating, nostalgic, poignant composition. It sends its own supremely contemplative message melting from the beyond back into life.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Beethoven himself said, ‘<i>music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy</i>.’ I suspect that he was just telling it like it is. Philosophy is a tangled mess - both compromised and constipated by the limitations of language. Music leaves words way behind. Yet the combined fusion of word and music, like oxygen feeds fire, magnifies the impact. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><i>The Four Last Songs</i> do this blending of orchestra and singer perfectly. They are meditations on mortality from the poems of Hermann Hesse who was anticipating his own death, in the third one, <i>Belm Shlafengehen</i>: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> And my unfettered soul</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> wishes to soar up freely</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> into night's magic sphere</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> to live there deeply and thousandfold.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: -7.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">My tastes are so catholic they go beyond any are tribal allegiances to particular genres; there are dozens of moods that elate and excite; this happens to be just one; but to my untrained ear Strauss captured something vibrant and magical; these songs come close to expressing an almost inexpressible feeling, of longing for death, of greeting it kindly, calmly, even cheerfully - and we all may need that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Let us hope that with the help of Beethoven, Strauss, or other music of our choice, we are gracious enough to do likewise when we reach that moment. </span><br />
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</style><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">© </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Kieron Devlin, 2010, all rights reserved.</span></span></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.kierondevlin.com/">www.kierondevlin.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><br />
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