I noticed a few new members on the shakuhachi email lists
lately and wanted to repost this announcement re. a recurring event
that may be of interest to shakuhachi players in the vicinity of northern
California (and sorry to others for the redundancy).
On the the 3rd Sunday of each month at 7:30 PM, at Many Rivers Books
and Tea in Sebastopol, CA there is an Alea meditation session led by
meditation teacher Jim Wilson.
Alea is a form of "sonic meditation" created by Jim based in part on
the idea that sound provides direct access to the three marks of
emptiness (change, impermanence, and interdependent transformation -
more commonly called dependent origination) described by the
Buddha. In particular one is able to directly perceive the cause,
variation, and duration of the clouds of sound that arise in Alea
meditation. For some this direct experience makes it easier to
cultivate a general understanding of the central Buddhist tenet that
all things are in fact empty in the sense described by the three
marks.
As a composer Jim developed Alea in part by utilizing and evolving
techniques pioneered by John Cage in his aleatoric music (hence the
name Alea). Despite this, participation in Alea meditation requires
minimal musical ability (the only requirement is to be able to hold
tones reasonably constantly on a wind instrument - if one does not
play a wind instrument Jim provides melodicas) and hence Alea is open
to almost anyone.
Though meant for any wind instrument Alea is particularly well suited
for shakuhachi as its aims (the cultivation of compassion and wisdom)
seem consistent with the historical association between the shakuhachi
and Buddhist practice.
Anyone wishing more information can contact me:
Karl Young
kyoung.slac.stanford.edu
415-750-9463
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