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So long 2012

12/30/2012

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I began this blog in 2012 and have been more or less faithful to putting entries in it. Primarily, I focused on things that I found of particular interest.

I will follow a similar pattern for 2013 although I may add the odd personal entry from time to time. This is one of those times.

I am not a fan of the years best and worst chronicles although if I find something of interest, I will pass it along. I am a New Year's eve resolution kind of guy and completed many of my 2012 resolutions.

This also serves as a personal accountability for me so here goes my resolutions for 2013.

  • Continue with my usual exercise routines and paleo styled diet aiming for 80-20 for most of the year excluding holidays (the 80-20 rule meaning 80 % clean and 20% cheat is a good rule that helps people maintain healthy eating. Of course tied to the whole paleo diet is the whole and raw foods movement. I will post additional entries on the health benefits of green smoothies in a later entry. Look for more posts on this theme).

  • Go to bed much earlier around 10 and wake earlier (getting plenty of sleep is good from both a mental health and physiological point of view).

  • Meditate a half hour a day using the examan of St. Ignatius or Sacred Space (research from neuropsychiatrist Dr. Newberg finds a correlation between decreased addiction, depression and anxiety among those who regularly practice meditation. I will discuss and share that research this in a later entry).

  • Complete academic goals applying for grants, my dissertation and teaching.

  • Complete some research projects that I have in the fire at the moment.

  •  Increase my appreciation of jazz by exploring some new artists.

  •  Live slower.

A lot of this coheres with the "primal" living movement. I follow Mark Sisson's blog Mark's Daily Apple which I highly recommend. He had a particularly good entry entitled, Primal Actualization: Realizing Your Inner Potential.

In it he made some very good suggestion on "primal actualization" and had some interesting insights. Among his insights:

Actualization, in fact, encompasses a broad spectrum, influencing everything from one’s capacity to bond with other people to the ability to develop perspective on life and society, from pursuing a creative pursuit to witnessing the profound details in any given moment...

Too often we cast self-actualization as transcending beyond of our “lesser” or “baser” selves. In the traditional hierarchical view, actualization is a process not just higher but separate from the fulfilling of lower needs like eating, sex, and socialization. But what if we looked at self-actualization less as a rising above our humanity and more as a living the full measure of it?

Good thought and a definition of spirituality that I fully share. There is deep Christian anthropological schema which I am not sure that he realized he tapped into. I explored a similar kind of trajectory in my graduate work. In a nutshell, the point of the incarnation was a revelation intended to teach that being fully human is now to be fully divine. There is a potentiality or divine spark within our consciousness, according to Meister Eckhart, that is the same ground ("grunt") as the Divine. Consequently, the birthing of consciousness within ourselves, results in the birthing of a new creation "ex nihilo" (out of nothing). In this view, the world itself is the very sacrament of God or at least intended to be so. Thus, our sphere of awareness through consciousness compels us to create, to build, to give new life, to heal, to work for justice. Certainly, the mystery of suffering remains and natural philosophers and sages from Plato to the Buddha have attempted to explain or transcend it.

But I digress, the point of this post is to share that living a full measure of humanity means tapping in to life giving relationships, enjoying the created world of food, outdoors, sex, etc. as well as the Divine which, cannot be separated from the former. The extent of our "self-actualizaton" to use a term from humanist psychologists, depends on grace (or so I believe - hence meditation not as a means to increase my receptivity).


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Les Misérables 

12/28/2012

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As promised when I first heard that Les Miz was being made into a film, I went saw the movie. I have seen the stage musical three times and have the cd by the original cast and have memorized almost every song!

Without a doubt, you should see this production that works on multiple levels. For me, it is primarily a story of sin, redemption, grace and hope. The entire narrative is diffused with spirituality. The film is set against the backdrop of post-French revolution France and a student led rebellion features prominently in the second half of the movie.

The signature number, "I Dreamed a Dream" is well known. It was sung by Susan Boyle on Britain Has Talent. Most do not appreciate the context in which this song is sung and Anne Hathaway does a brilliant job in delivering it in the film. Following her descent into prostitution, she hammers out this gut wrenching and moving song of despair, hope and finally resignation. In Hathaway's hand, you understand the power of the song. This number will surely go down in cinema history as a high water marker in the history of musicals.

Hugh Jackman is perfect as the hero Jean Valjean. The director commentary below gives you a glimpse of his range and a taste of what the film is like. Jackman lost and gained weight for the movie and delivers the kindness and compassion of Valjean marvelously. You see his transformation most clearly from hardened, world weary criminal to the suffering servant in two pivotal scenes; the one below and the one with Cosette. Valjean's character is one of self sacrificial love.

Regrettably, another key figure in the musical and film is Javert the inspector who loves justice and the letter of the law. He is one of my favourites in the musical. He would be easy to be typecast as villain but he is far more complicated. His signature song, "Stars" gives a glimpse to his character. He sees the world as chaos and the Lord filling it with order and light through justice. He sees his mission as delivering that justice dispassionately. Russel Crowe does not do the role full justice. He is not conflicted enough nor does he exhibit the kind of core that the music requires. His voice is tentative and a bit scratchy.

Surprisingly, my two least favourite characters, Marius and Cosette are among the best singers in the musicals. Their voices, particularly, Cosette, is a pleasure to listen to.

Finally, at the top of my list is the character of Eponine, forever "friendzoned". Her signature song of unrequited love "On My Own" is among my favourites and it is delivered with full force in the film. I admire her character and she displays, like Valjean, a pure love albeit of a different kind. Her love is tinged with suffering but it is hers and she owns it completely. Great character! She appears at the end of the musical (no spoiler here but for those who have seen the musical you know the part I am referring to) but not in this film which I found disappointing.

To be sure, there are some uneven, choppy pieces but it was intended to be a film and musical. If you want pure singing, purchase the anniversary compilation or view it on You Tube. It is a movie that is "sung through" and it is unique in that the actors are actually singing and not lip syncing as they are acting. As a result you see the lungs quiver and it gives a unique feel to the experience.


Don't delay. Take in this experience and let the music wash over you and the transformative themes move you!
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Merry Christmas from yours truly!

12/22/2012

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My Merry Christmas e-card video to all!!!  Best of the season!

Click Here for card:  Merry Christmas
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Peace Place

12/18/2012

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There are no words to describe the impact of the tragedy in Connecticut. Obviously, people are looking at all kinds of different causes and solutions; from gun control to the issues related to mental illness, to parenting, to a combination of all of the above.

President Obama gave, what I thought was a good address to the issue.


Newton Speech

... this job of keeping our children safe, and teaching them well, is something we can only do together, with the help of friends and neighbors, the help of a community, and the help of a nation. And in that way, we come to realize that we bear a responsibility for every child because we’re counting on everybody else to help look after ours; that we’re all parents; that they’re all our children...

“Let the little children come to me,” Jesus said, “and do not hinder them — for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Charlotte. Daniel. Olivia. Josephine. Ana. Dylan. Madeleine. Catherine. Chase. Jesse. James. Grace. Emilie. Jack. Noah. Caroline. Jessica. Benjamin. Avielle. Allison.

God has called them all home. For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on, and make our country worthy of their memory.


Positive words to reflect on as we collectively consider building a better culture for our children to live. I heard one of the parents of one of the children slain in the attack if he had any anger towards the killer. The parent replied that he (the killer) must have lived in a very dark place to do something like that. He too, was one of our children, and we must wonder how such an act could have been committed and what, if anything, might have been done to intervene sooner and change the course of a life and the impact that it had on so many other lives.


I have chosen to play Bill Evans haunting Peace Piece as a source of reflection. Few musicians capture the profound sense of aloneness like pianist Bill Evans. It is an unrehearsed piece that Evans recorded before working with Miles Davis on Kind of Blue.



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Be water my friend!

12/13/2012

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In the words of the great Bruce Lee, as only he could say it!
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Thelonious Monk - A Merrier Christmas

12/13/2012

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Thelonious Monk wrote but never recorded this song, A Merrier Christmas. According to the monkzone.com, "The only evidence of Monk playing this song is from a private recording made at the home of Baroness Nica de Koenigswarter around December of 1972. It is also the only recording of Monk singing".  I would like to get my hands on that but have not been able to. The adaptation below is a nice one for the Christmas season.

Much has been written about Monk's supposed mental illness but it is contested whether he had one or not. The following article is a good one on the subject: The Definitive Monk Bio: So, Was He Crazy, or What?

Dr. Schlesinger writes: "The fact is that, like many laypeople (as well as far too many professionals), Kelley confuses a serious condition with an eccentric personality. Before psychiatry made everything a [reimbur$able] flaw, "cyclothymic" people were simply considered "moody"; they didn't suffer from any inherent mental disorder. When people experienced negative life events, they were able to panic, rant, rail at the gods, weep, and even act bizarrely for a bit without incurring a dark diagnosis that subsequently followed them to the grave (and beyond)....

Moreover, for years Monk took "vitamin shots" which were laced with Benzedrine (speed) (pp. 267, 318). This could agitate anyone, causing addiction and other life disruptions, and the doctor who peddled them eventually had his license suspended. But even when Monk refused to play or leave his room, his mind reportedly remained as sharp and witty as ever (p. 444). This is not psychosis: this is choice. His recurring ability to bounce back from bad behavior to disciplined, brilliant music-making (sometimes the next day) is a testament to his strength, not his craziness".

She concludes  "Yeah, Monk was crazy, all right: crazy like a fox."



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Great Wisdom from comedian Dave Chappelle

12/8/2012

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This is a great interview with one of my favourite comedians Dave Chappelle.  Dave quit his program at the height of his career and traveled to Africa to reconnect with his roots and spiritual tradition.

He discusses his history and shares a great story from his dad. Bottom line, Dave said he learned early on that he needs to name his price (not just financial) and if it ever gets too expensive than you thought in the beginning - get out of there.

He discusses his friend, the comedian Martin Lawrence, who had a kind of breakdown. He attributes it to the culture of Hollywood. Rather than blaming him, look at the system he is involved in. In an earlier part of the interview he discusses the conflict between art and the corporate machine of the entertainment industry.

Returning to Martin Lawrence and Mariah Carey both of whom had some difficulty and acted in ways that many thought strange,  Dave Chappelle says, "The worst thing you can call someone is crazy - it is dismissive. I don't understand this person so they are crazy...these people are not crazy, they are strong people. Maybe the environment is a little sick".

Great commentary and he receives a standing ovation. That is true for our culture too. We should consider that the next time somebody breaks down.

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The Top 5 Regrets in Life by those about to die

12/7/2012

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I know it is not a cheery subject but St. Benedict once said look no further than the distance of your own grave. We can profit by those who have gone before us and Bonnie Ware a woman who works in palliative care for 40 years wrote of common themes many of her patients expressed.

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me

This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

It is very important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard – This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship.

Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings – Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends – Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier

This is a surprisingly common one.

The Top 5 Regrets In Life By Those About to Die
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Dave Brubeck jazz legend dies

12/5/2012

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Requiem in pace, Dave. Dave Brubeck who was most famous for his Quartet died today. Few can claim title to legend but he certainly can. I posted a recording of he and his quartet playing his well known piece "Take Five" here last February: Take Five

Words fail me. Take a moment, say a prayer, say a thank you. If you are able to to enjoy some of his sound which has been described as "accessible as it is ingenious, as stress-free as it is rhythmically emphatic, as open-hearted as it is wide-ranging", please do so.

The Los Angeles Times a nice story and video of him as well. Dave Brubeck, jazz legend, dies at 91

My friends over at Commonweal have a good story on him describing the spiritual experience of the creative process. Great Art Survives.

IAN MARCUS CORBIN: You have spoken in interviews about moments onstage when you have become so wrapped up in the music you are playing that you seem to go “beyond” yourself. Is this ecstatic experience like other deep emotional experiences—say, romantic love or spiritual contemplation? Or is it something entirely different?

DAVE BRUBECK: The source of inspiration can be any of the things you mentioned. I think such rare moments come only when you have total concentration. You are consumed in and by the music. I guess you could say that it is akin to contemplation. In order to reach this desirable state of mind you have to rise above the environment you’re in at that particular time—a bad piano, glaring stage lights, or the attitude of the audience. Sometimes the inspiration of the other musicians you’re playing with helps you reach this stage. Playing solo you are dependent on your own ability to concentrate and to create—excluding all distractions from the environment or other parts of your mind.



Picture
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Christmas food court flash mob

12/5/2012

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I love this video each time I see it.  A flash mob is formed at a food court mall and sings the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's messiah. Amazing how they were able to maintain harmonies and I bet the acoustics were excellent.
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    My Pensées

    The title of this blog is an allusion to the famous work of Blaise Pascal.  This blog represents the variety of my interests and thoughts on any given day and are  strung together, like Pascal's Pensees, in no particular order. I work in the field of mental health and education. I write and am a social justice advocate. I enjoy poetry, jazz, spirituality, politics and a potpourri of other interests that you will see reflected in this blog.

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