Re: [Shaku] In re: zen/Zen

From: Peter Ross (peteross@cloudhandsmusic.com)
Date: Fri Jan 07 2005 - 13:46:37 PST


>Hi.
>
>Here's a different viewpoint.
>
>
>WHAT'S THIS
>
>
>I hate the stench
>
>Dead words on the page
>
>Old abstract nouns
>
>A rotten corpse
>
>
>Regards,
>
>John Baker

Very refreshing John.

All this talking about zen is disturbing. Not refreshing at all.
My generation of shakuhachi players who began in the late '60s and
early '70s didn't make a big deal about the zen aspect. Our Japanese
teachers didn't either. We didn't try to out-zen our teachers. We
just spent hours, weeks, months, years and decades blowing air into
our flutes. We didn't get hung up about whether the morning practice
of Ro was zen and the evening practice of different pieces was music.
Or whether music is spiritual or not or if this instrument is
spiritual and that one is musical. We didn't divide and define
everything. We didn't intellectualize things to death. We tried to
get the best sound we could. We worked on Ro. We worked on Tsu
Meri. We tried to play in tune and with with expression. To express
ourselves. After many years some of us got lucky and became the
sound. Played with no thought. We didn't "think" our way there.
And for a few moments when playing some of us are free of thought.
Just for a few moments.

Gracias Adios. Thank God.

Peter

Peter

>
>
>_____________________________________________
>
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-- 
Peter Ross
http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com
APDO 542-4100
Grecia, Costa Rica
Central America
011 (506) 494-5170
_____________________________________________

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