Posts Tagged ‘ Music ’

Food for Thought #9

Excerpt from Alan Watts’s – The Tao of Philosophy:

Now it is my contention and my basic metaphysical axiom that existence—the physical universe—is basically playful. There is no necessity for it whatsoever. It is not going anywhere; that is to say, it does not have some destination at which it ought to arrive. It is best understood by analogy with music because music as an art form is essentially playful.

We say, “You play the piano.” You do not work the piano. Why? For instance, music differs from travel because when you travel you are trying to get somewhere and, being a very compulsive and purposive culture, we are busy going everywhere faster and faster in an attempt to eliminate the distance between places.

With modern jet travel you can arrive anywhere almost instantaneously, and what happens as a result is that the two ends of your journey become the same place. So you eliminate the distance and you eliminate the journey, and you forget that the fun of the journey is to travel, not to obliterate travel.

In music, though, one does not make the end of a composition the point of the composition. If that were so, the best conductors would be those who played fastest, and there would be composers who wrote only finales. People would go to a concert just to hear one crashing chord because that is the end. The same is true of dancing because the point of dancing is to dance.

However, we do not understand this because it is not something brought by our education into our everyday conduct. We have a system of schooling which gives a completely different impression. Everything we do is graded, and we put the child into the corridor at one end of this grade system, with a kind of “Come on, kitty-kitty-kitty.” So you go to kindergarten, and that is a great thing, because when you finish that you will get into first grade; then “Come on!” First grade leads to second grade, and so on. When you get out of grade school you go on to high school, and the whole thing is “revving up,” and coming closer.

Then you go on to college, and then by Jove, you get into graduate school, and when you are through with graduate school you go out to join the world. You get into some racket in which you are selling insurance and everyone has their quota to make, and you are going to make it. All the time that great thing is coming and coming, and it is the success you are working toward. Then one day when you wake up, and you are forty years old, you say, “My God, I have arrived! I am there.” However, you do not feel very different from what you always felt, and there is a slight let-down because you feel there was a hoax.

Of course there was a hoax, a dreadful hoax, because they made you miss everything by expectation. People live to retire and they put those savings away, but then when they are sixty-five they do not have any energy left to enjoy it, and they end up in a senior citizens’ community.

We have simply cheated ourselves the whole way down the line. We thought of life by analogy—as a journey or a pilgrimage—which had a serious purpose at the end. The thing was to get to that end, success, or whatever it is, or maybe Heaven after you are dead, but we missed the point along the whole way. It was a musical thing, and you were supposed to sing or dance while the music was being played. Instead you had to do “that thing” and you did not let it happen. So this is why the human being sometimes becomes an organism for self-frustration. ~ Alan Watts

 

2016
11/24
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Words Section
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Nothing Much

Nothing interesting to read in this post but still writing to share it with you all, actually, I was just wondering that what all there is I’m trying or perhaps, will try. There can be more things I could think of but I jotted down 4 points, and putting it up here.

Getting into reading:

I do write blog post sometimes, but I’m from those people who sometimes like to write but are not much into readings. I always wanted to get into reading, few months back I planned to at least read a book in a month which so far I’ve done successfully, 3 books in 3 months, let’s see how far it goes, haha!

Start to follow music again:

Around 4 years back I was into music, I used to follow some bands, and I was from one of those people who like to explore and listen to different kinds of music but time has changed and I almost stopped following music, and perhaps, the reason is my most of the time is consumed by my Job. But there’s always a space, doesn’t matter how tight schedule you have, you can get time for other things you would like to do. So I’m planning to follow music back again, let’s see whether this will be happening or not.

Backpack trip:

I’m into traveling, and of course I travel a lot, most of the time it’s due to my Job reasons and sometimes I plan out my own travels too, and there are few places I have been to which I want to revisit, one of them is Leh-Ladakh. Hoping to pay a visit to this place once again, I want to explore this place more, and yes, there are few more other places too those I want to revisit.

Control over thinking:

I do not lose my cool easily, and I try to be calm in those circumstances also where it is difficult to remain cool, but that doesn’t mean I never lose my temper. I believe, to make wise decision it is important that your mind has to be at peace and calm, and for that you have to know how to control your thoughts. I’m working on this; let’s see how far I can go.

Have a good day ~ Vikas

2016
11/21
CATEGORY
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Perfect Day, It Was!

It has been drizzling here in Chandigarh since yesterday, and for me it’s a relief from the scorching heat. Temperature has dropped down to 26 degree Celsius, and today in the morning while I was standing on my balcony looking at the falling rain drops, I felt like to get into the hills just for enjoying the weather and the day, it was just a random urge. So I called up a friend to accompany me, picked up the key of my vehicle, and started to drive through the drizzle up to the hills with the music full on and the windscreen wipers in action, haha! I went up to Kasauli, a small beautiful hill station around 40 miles from my place, spent few hours there, gazed through the rain and mist to the beauty of nature, got drenched little and of course that fresh cool breeze on the face was rejuvenating, two hours of perfect nature therapy it was and then I came back to home.

Now while I’m writing this post sitting on my balcony relishing the weather, it is still drizzling here, I’m listening to music and sipping green tea, and thinking about few things. Here’s something I would like to write about what is running inside my mind :

Somewhere, I read that ‘traveling is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness’. I just do not agree with this statement, I mean, then how about “those” rich people who travels all around the world and are full of prejudice and are still with narrow-minds. This statement doesn’t make sense to me, you can learn a lot from traveling only when you are open to exploring things, open to growth, understanding, experiencing and learning new things, and know how to appreciate or relish even little things too and yes of course, willing to put your ideas, thoughts and yourself out for judgment, and not getting negatively affected by wrong judgments despite learning lesson from it if there is any to learn else leaving it behind.

Now ending up this post, and leaving you with this beautiful piece of music by Pearl Jam, I had a great day, you too enjoy and have a wonderful time ~ Vikas Sharma

2015
07/12
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Wind in My Hair, I Feel Part of Everywhere

The core of mans’ spirit comes from new experiences. ~ Excerpt from Into the Wild

Here in this post I’m not publishing any of my writing, just leaving you with a beautiful song ‘Guaranteed’ by Eddie Vedder, and with a question to ponder on: Is happiness real only when shared? How do you interpret this statement?

Listen and enjoy the music!

2015
03/14
CATEGORY
Music Section
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Weekend And The Weather Is Awesome!

So it’s weekend and here at my side the weather is cloudy and raining. All the day, the weather has been cloudy with drizzle and gentle breeze. I love this kind of weather, looking at the cloudy skies, listening the sound of drizzle and feeling the gentle breeze on face, it’s just awesome. I’m having fun here, and making the most out of the moments. You all too have a good day/night.

Cheers!

Here’s a song by Kansas (band) for you all, enjoy the music!

2013
05/11
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A Journey into the Wild!

Pic1

These are the few pictures from my recent journey into the serenity of nature. It’s just full of amazement and wonder to explore the places about which we don’t know much till we explored it by our self. I love to tread on the paths which are unknown, which are hidden as the path seems leafy to the eyes.

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There’s an inexplicable pleasure in spending a moments in the places where you feel your interconnection with the nature. There’s an inexplicable pleasure when one have his favorite music in his ears, and watching the sun going behind the beautiful mountains at the time of sunset. Yes! There’s an inexplicable pleasure in siting on the mountains which are surrounded by the snow clad mountains, and just doing the one thing and that is… feeling the fresh wilds on the face.

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There’s a magical music in the valley generated by the stream of water flowing down from the hills. As more and more I walk beside this stream, the more I feel the peace within my mind.

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Let The Stream Flow, Let The River Flow, Let The Music Flow….. were the words in my mind at that moment.

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My every visit or journey into the wilderness of nature gifts me with some better or new perspectives. It helps me to clear my thoughts, my mind. This part of the world… Yes! This part of world has something which strengthens me from inside.

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A camp over the hills, blue sky above the head, snow clad mountains all around, and a lot to explore… Yes! There is a lot to explore!!

Well! These are the few pictures from my recent journey into the wild with some of my friends. All the pictures are taken by me, and these all places are in Kullu Valley.

In the end, I would like to write few words of Cheryl Strayed:

“It had nothing to do with gear or footwear or the backpacking fads or philosophies of any particular era or even with getting from point A to point B.
It had to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles with no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and grasses, sunrises and sunsets. The experience was powerful and fundamental. It seemed to me that it had always felt like this to be a human in the wild, and as long as the wild existed it would always feel this way.”

_____________________________

Are you planning a trip and looking for good Cameras, Tripods, Camps or travel accessories?
Don’t want to spend much bucks to own the product because you’re not sure when will you use it next time?
Or is there any other reason which doesn’t allow you to buy a product?
Don’t want to use a same product for long and so you don’t consider buying product a good option?

 

2013
03/30
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Breathe In, Breathe Out

Vikas Sharma - Expand The Horizon(Breathe in, Breathe out) Are you going through some problematic things and wondering how to get your life back on tracks? I think it all depends on us how to get our life back on tracks. Ups and down are part of life, I’ve seen ups and down in my life and we all go through it, don’t we? Sometimes, things are inevitable, shit happens and I know it can be difficult to believe sometimes but everything happens for a reason, there is always something behind everything. The reasons which slide you out of tracks can be anything; sometimes we don’t realize why the things are getting worse, or why the things are not going smooth. Sometimes, you feel that you’re trudging a path and you don’t have any idea where are you heading. Remember, the only person who can understand your deepest, actual and all problems, or situations is “You”. It’s you who have to identify your things, why something is happening to you and then try to solve it.

Take your time and relax yourself then try to figure out why things are happening like this? Are you wondering what to do as there are too many ideas and you can’t make decision on one, or are you wondering what to do as you don’t have any single idea to work on? Are you confused, overwhelmed, or lost, and you don’t know what to do? Do you have many dreams and don’t know how to turn them into reality? Are you a huge procrastinator, or too lazy to act on your plans? Are you confused about your goals, dreams and passions? Do you feel like you have no idea what you’re going to do with your life? Do you feel like you’re devastated? Do you feel like your world is tumbling down around you and nothing seems to be staying at its rightful place? Are you afraid of what people will say about you? Are you controlled by negativity which is deep-rooted in your psyche because of past failures, or old wounds? Are you sad and have no real friends in life to share your things? Do you want to change everything about yourself, but there are so many things wrong in your life and you don’t know where to begin? Do you feel like you have no social life? Do you feel there is no one to motivate and support you? Sometimes, do you feel like crying out loud? Do you fear the failure before even beginning things? Sometimes, do you think “Why me, why!”?

There are many more questions, or problematic things. There are reasons behind everything and if something is going wrong then we should try to discover the reason behind it, and then solve it with all the efforts if possible. Of course, it doesn’t take an hour to get your life back on tracks but if we try to recognize problems and then searching the solutions to solve it can help a lot. Sometimes there are things which can’t be fixed after trying all efforts, in that case just leave it behind and move on. We all have to change ourselves for better life and living, and if we want to change our life and living then we have to change our thinking and we have to do the things we are not doing, or doing the same things in a different manner. If you feel like there is nobody to support or motivate you, then just stand against the mirror and look at yourself, it’s “You” the only person who knows what actually you need and what’s your real potential, you can achieve your goals, don’t worry much about support; just be open for it if you get it from anyone, from anywhere. Never let people put you down rather try to encourage people around you as when you encourage someone it adds positivity in your life too and it doesn’t really matters whether the people really affected with your encouragement stuff or not, it still adds positivity in your life. Never have an attitude like “I don’t give a shit to anything”. There are things we have to take care of, don’t you think that? Remember, we are what we make of ourselves, so don’t get affected by others wrong judgmental behaviors, living the life you want will bring happiness to you and don’t be afraid of failure. Just believe in yourself and there’s no need to be afraid of failure. If you don’t succeed then try again, just keep trying on your things. Sometimes, it takes a lot of investment of time and energy to get things done.

I believe in creating beauty in everything. We should try to make something beautiful out of every bad situation, we can do it, it’s not impossible just a little or more difficult. If you can, then be a part of any kind of any activity, it can help to release the energy which you have kept inside unused; and try to be a stress less as much as you can. Stress can affect our productivity levels as a stressed mind can’t work up to its actual potential, and it can distort our thinking too. I know it’s not easy to keep ourselves totally isolated or away from mental stress but we can try to keep ourselves stress free as much as possible. Try to learn from other people, ask someone you admire how they got where they are today, and ask your elder or anyone whom you believe. Listening and learning about how they faced their problems or difficulties throughout their life, and maintained grace throughout it all can help us knowing about the things more, it can help us in our personal endeavors too.

Sometimes, we all need to do is just relax and take a break; let yourself recharge, breathe in, breathe out, feed yourself some positivity and keep your head up. Don’t give up easily, identify your strengths and new possibilities, be open to new impressions, and broader your vision as problems can’t be solved with too narrow vision. Restore your perspective in order that you can see more clearly and don’t always stick to routines. It doesn’t matter what order you do the things when you know what you need to do or what you have to do on any given day. Sometimes it’s good to do things which are not part of your routine, sometimes it’s good to get out of daily routines and schedules. So have fun and be crazy sometimes, do the things which draw a smile on your face. Sometimes, we fail to see that what’s needed is in front of our eyes and therefore, sometimes it’s good to turn down the noise and listen to what’s arising from your deepest self. We all are into this journey of life and we slip and slide on our way. What keeps us going is the music, music of the life, music of the universe. Keep rhyming yourself with the music of the universe.

One of the reasons for chaos in the world is we divide ourselves on the base of some things and forget that we are humans first. There is no separation, and hence awakening is certainly due. Try to remove elements of negativity from your life, or things you don’t want to do, or just try to convert negativity into something beautiful. Clean your house from top to bottom and throw away anything unnecessary or out-dated, always keep a free space for new things by removing unnecessary and out-dated things. Learn from past mistakes. Usually, we make a lot of mistakes during our lifetime. Just keep learning from your mistakes, gain wisdom and knowledge from it, and avoid its repetition. Just don’t let your past mishaps to affect your present, and it’s not bad to release your emotions. There is always a healthy and unhealthy side to every emotion. We were taught that adults are not supposed to cry. No one can decide who can cry or who can’t just on the base of age. Sometimes, it’s good to just sit down and have a good hard cry. This is healthy for everyone, and it can make us feel lighter. Moreover, we are human beings with feelings and emotions, so it’s alright to cry out loud. Always have confidence in yourself; speak and act with confidence. Are you able to stand by what you do and say? If not, it may be time to re-examine your own things, or words.

Don’t put off difficult conversations, deal with such problems mindfully. Talk to strangers, reconnect with old friends and with relatives who live far away, and with the people you miss. Go out into the Nature. Nature has an ability to help calm our mind; it gives us new perspective, and clears our thoughts. Take a walk in the woods, climb a mountain, or just get into the nature and do some trekking, hiking, camping at any level of difficulty; it gives a sense of pride, accomplishment and relaxation. Take up a new interest or hobby; you never know where a simple interest or hobby can lead you in life. So, it’s always good to spend some time on the activities you like, so whenever possible try to spend some time on the activities you enjoy such as dancing, biking, playing any music instrument, singing, drawing, writing, photography, or anything you like. Go to a beach where you can sit, or walk on its shore and listen to the waves crashing against the shore, get up and dance to one of your favorite tunes, listen to your favorite music, exercise regularly and eat well, there are many things which can refresh your mind and energy.

Most of us has experienced the moment when we say “Yes” to something, when we know it’s not right for us but still we do it. As soon as say yes, we hear a voice that screams “No, No!” inside us but somehow another part of us kicks in and our mind overrules the wisdom of our body and we find ourselves on a path we never intended. If ever you find yourself in such a situation then remember the only person who knows you took a wrong turn is “You” and only you can decide when to get back on your tracks and how. Admit as quickly as possible, you made a choice that led you to the wrong path and after that decide how you’re going to get back on track. It’s not the end until you give up and it’s good to talk about your problems with your close friends, or with your family, or with any one whom you can trust and believe as this can help you to feel lighter. We all face some challenges in our life and it’s with us how to reply to these challenges. Sometimes, it seems like every single thing is going wrong and sometimes, you wonder why everybody else gets some help and you can’t seem to get any. Sometimes, some things are out of our control, sometimes you don’t get the desired results, sometimes you miss the opportunity of something good, friends move, thousands of people apply for the same job, relationships end, people lies and cheats, and more, and more, and more. Remember, shit happens and all these things happen to many other people every day in this whole world, you’re not alone. It’s up to you; get back on tracks with life. Sometimes, it can take time, and it can be difficult but not impossible.

2012
09/02
CATEGORY
Words Section
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Music paints pictures

Music paints pictures.Music, in my opinion is a way to express our feelings, our thoughts, an idea in a beautiful way or a way to paint our imagination with words. Music is a beautiful art, music paints pictures, music can serve many purpose. When you listen to a song, it takes you to a totally different place every time, you live in the moment of that song for awhile. Music is the universal language of emotion, it’s a way for the artist and for its listener to understand something which they might not be able to understand otherwise. But it’s subjective, i mean sometimes a song can mean everything to someone and at the same time the same song could mean nothing to someone else. I believe in the power of music and sometimes, music is the only thing to make sense of things. Listening to deep songs with deep lyrics meaning really can make you think about the our world, memories, people around us and many things. Music is an escape and there’s always a song that describes how you feel, i wish i had my own soundtrack to play for whatever i am doing, like it plays out loud but no one knows where it’s coming from. hahaha!  Music is just a wonderful thing. At last, it’s an entertainment! Yes, music is a leisure activity after all that but that’s really not as important as all the other things about it 😉

2012
03/23
CATEGORY
Music Section
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