At present, five books are rotating through my hands in a given summer week, some new and others old. One previously read selection called The Seat of the Soul never tires for me, and continues to broaden my state of awareness and personal evolution on this planet. As I reach the given relevance of said book, allow me to first divulge some personal journal writing to set up my point for July:
When I was a child, I yearned to understand my own path in this life. I was in awe of the Earth, moon, sun, flowers, the wind blowing through the trees – and I took in every movement as a sign of what was to come. I would lie on the grass and beseech the skies for answers to questions using my inner voice: Will I find true love? Will I be happy? I found it miraculous when the wind would then blow harder through the trees, or a cloud changed shape as it drifted by in response. Did God just answer my question? I searched for meaning in every detail. In my mind, I would contemplate actions of others and visualize my response, or concoct a potential future filled with various imaginative scenarios. It was and still is in these times of deep intuition that I have become a part of my being, and of my soul. Whether stubbornly hopeful, or curiously delusional in personality, I tend to think (and over think), question (and over question), and feel as if I may be a vessel for other great things in this life yet to be determined.
When we are young, we are stubbornly curious to explore our five senses, and as children, I believe our extended senses allow us to create a unique world based on our personalities. We hunger for knowledge, to emulate our elders, to be heroes, to live a life catered to our own curiosity, but then something happens: Fear.
“Each choice of fear – anger, jealousy, vengefulness – is a choice to evolve unconsciously through the painful, destructive consequences that fear creates.” –Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul
Fear is a learned behavior in childhood. Some fear is of utmost value and quality, created to protect us from a hot stove, a busy intersection, falling down stairs, or evading strangers. It is the learned non-quality fears, however, creating the exact same feeling of angst, at a catastrophic detriment to the souls of our children into adulthood. Examples include fearing those in diverse economic statuses, fearing other races, fear of the police, fearing other religions, fear of power (or having no power), fearing the elderly or people who look different, fear of politicians; and ultimately, fear of anything we might lose, like a sporting event, money, a home, a car, our body, our mind, our beliefs, and even love.
The misconception that teaching fear, whether directly or indirectly (intended or unintended), is of greater consequence or value than instilling a love of self in our children is truly disheartening, and ultimately responsible for a lack of soulful children who will later need to learn how to unmask their vulnerability in this world in order to truly love. Why would we (and shamefully how could we) knowingly place our children in a position to later shed all these overwhelming, learned fears? Instead, let us embrace the innocence of their questioning, and allow them to fill in the gaps by asking their thoughts on a subject. Avoid suggesting your own ideas by enabling them to engage their own intelligences, their own intuitions, and their own beliefs, thereby creating a higher level of consciousness, wonder, and beauty within their souls.
“Each choice of fear – anger, jealousy, vengefulness – is a choice to evolve unconsciously through the painful, destructive consequences that fear creates.” –Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul
Fear is a learned behavior in childhood. Some fear is of utmost value and quality, created to protect us from a hot stove, a busy intersection, falling down stairs, or evading strangers. It is the learned non-quality fears, however, creating the exact same feeling of angst, at a catastrophic detriment to the souls of our children into adulthood. Examples include fearing those in diverse economic statuses, fearing other races, fear of the police, fearing other religions, fear of power (or having no power), fearing the elderly or people who look different, fear of politicians; and ultimately, fear of anything we might lose, like a sporting event, money, a home, a car, our body, our mind, our beliefs, and even love.
The misconception that teaching fear, whether directly or indirectly (intended or unintended), is of greater consequence or value than instilling a love of self in our children is truly disheartening, and ultimately responsible for a lack of soulful children who will later need to learn how to unmask their vulnerability in this world in order to truly love. Why would we (and shamefully how could we) knowingly place our children in a position to later shed all these overwhelming, learned fears? Instead, let us embrace the innocence of their questioning, and allow them to fill in the gaps by asking their thoughts on a subject. Avoid suggesting your own ideas by enabling them to engage their own intelligences, their own intuitions, and their own beliefs, thereby creating a higher level of consciousness, wonder, and beauty within their souls.
“Our deeper understanding leads us to another kind of power, a power that loves life in every form that appears, a power that does not judge what it encounters, a power that perceives meaningfulness and purpose in the smallest details upon the Earth. This is authentic power. When we align our thoughts, emotions, and actions with the highest part of ourselves, we are filled with enthusiasm, purpose, and meaning. Life is rich and full. We are joyously and intimately engaged with our world. This is the experience of authentic power.” –Gary Zukav (p. 11), The Seat of the Soul
Admittedly, I was not as comfortable with elders as a child (relatives excluded), and certainly a majority of adults would state the same upon reflection. Due to the community involvement encouraged by both my high school choir director and my mother, I not only shed all traces of fear after exposure performing for assisted living facilities as a teenager, but flourished. It is this same sense of eager enlightenment that provides that childlike feeling of wonder each time I am able to now perform for the elderly, give a lecture about the power of music, or teach my students how to make meaningful connections through the vehicle of music.
“Each choice of love – gratitude, patience, appreciation – is a choice to evolve consciously through the healthy, constructive consequences that love creates... Why not choose the conscious path, the path of joy? Why not journey consciously to the seat of your soul, that place where you transform energy into matter with your intentions – infuse your world with love and live there?... All roads lead to home." –Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul
Calming peace and at home – that is where we want our children making and performing music; moreover, it is where every musician should be making music! Please return in August to find out how to create deeper, more soulful musical connections with your students through performance via service learning.
#musiceducation #musicians #soulfulmusicianship
Admittedly, I was not as comfortable with elders as a child (relatives excluded), and certainly a majority of adults would state the same upon reflection. Due to the community involvement encouraged by both my high school choir director and my mother, I not only shed all traces of fear after exposure performing for assisted living facilities as a teenager, but flourished. It is this same sense of eager enlightenment that provides that childlike feeling of wonder each time I am able to now perform for the elderly, give a lecture about the power of music, or teach my students how to make meaningful connections through the vehicle of music.
“Each choice of love – gratitude, patience, appreciation – is a choice to evolve consciously through the healthy, constructive consequences that love creates... Why not choose the conscious path, the path of joy? Why not journey consciously to the seat of your soul, that place where you transform energy into matter with your intentions – infuse your world with love and live there?... All roads lead to home." –Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul
Calming peace and at home – that is where we want our children making and performing music; moreover, it is where every musician should be making music! Please return in August to find out how to create deeper, more soulful musical connections with your students through performance via service learning.
#musiceducation #musicians #soulfulmusicianship
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