life set to music

It took me a long time to engage in spirituality.  For 30 years or so, there was just a big question mark hovering over my head regarding eternal life.  I always thought spirituality was found in church, but now I know that religion doesn't encompass spirituality.  God is too big to fit in a church.  Christianity doesn't own Jesus.  Islam doesn't corner the market on Allah.  Buddhism doesn't hold the only key to Enlightenment.  God is found everywhere - in me, in you...  and, as will be expanded upon in today's post, in music.  


Now that I am aware of the existence of GOD and ENERGY and SPIRIT, I notice these things everywhere and in everything, especially music - from Indigo Girls to Katy Perry.  Has God always been there?  Waiting for me to wake up and pay attention?  Of course, right?  I don't know how, but during the course of my first 30 years, somehow I missed God's existence - not just in music but in everything.  Blew right by me.


I missed the one *thing* that is every *thing*.  While I was sleep walking, millions of other people knew about, were singing at the tops of their lungs about, that *thing*.  For all these years, millions have been infusing that *thing* into every *thing*.  


Does a fish know he's swimming water just b/c he's surrounded by it?  Evidently not.

***********

My cousin MB posted a Cat Stevens video on her Facebook page a couple of weeks ago - a tribute to her Dad.  As it turns out, it was a tribute to my Pop as well.  The song was "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out".  We, as a family, have been singing this song since we were little hippie kids.  


I remember being 4 years old, belting out Cat songs by the campfire on Saco River in New Hampshire...  Our hairy-faced fathers strumming their guitars, playing their harmonicas and singing without inhibition while our five little girl faces (cousins and sisters) lit up with joy and contentment.  And I also remember being 11 years old, Pop conjuring another Cat song called "On the Road to Find Out" in attempt to explain to me why he had to leave his family.  These songs have been with me all my life.  (With us all of our lives, right girls?)  


As a child I thought "Sing Out" was about happy people singing and dancing.  As a teenager, I didn't care what the song was about.  As a twenty-something I thought the song was about finding your voice.  But now I really get it.  Cat's singing about the very ideas that my gurus like Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer tout now.  He's singing about creating and creation, about accepting and acceptance, about free will and synchrodestiny.  

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
'Cause there's a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
'Cause there's a million things to do
You know that there are

You can do what you want
The opportunity's on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
you see ah ah ah
its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
'Cause there's a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are 


And then there's "Road to Find Out".  Well, honestly, I think even as an 11 year old I understood the general meaning of this one.  The difference now is that my feelings about it are no longer connected to rejection and abandonment.  When I hear this song, I think about Cat's journey as a seeker, much like my own.  I think about the years I've spent traveling and growing and birthing and reading and listening and watching and absorbing in hopes to find that answer, that connection to peace and spirit... finally discovering that the answer has always been right here - waiting to be found.  The answer is neatly wrapped up in a little package labeled "Vanessa".  "The answer lies within."  Yup.  That's about right.  

Well I left my happy home
to see what I could find out
I left my folk and friends
with the aim to clear my mind out

Well I hit the rowdy road
and many kinds I met there
and many stories told me on the way to get there

So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out
So much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out

In the end I'll know
but on the way I wonder
through descending snow
and through the frost and thunder

I listen to the wind come howl
telling me I have to hurry
I listen to the robin's song
saying not to worry

So on, and on I go, the seconds tick the time out
So much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out

Well I found myself alone
hoping someone would miss me
Thinking about my home and the last woman to kiss me

Well sometimes you have to moan
when nothing seems to suit you
but never the less you know
your locked towards the future

So off and on you go, the seconds tick the time out
There's so much left to know and I'm on the road to find out

And I found my head one day
when I wasn't even trying
and here I have to say
cause there is no use in lying, lying

Yes the answer lies within
so why not take a look now
Kick out the devils sin
pickup, pickup a good book now

Yes the answer lies within
so why not take a look now
kick out the devils sin
pickup, pickup a good book now

Yes the answer lies within
so why not take a look now
kick out the devils sin
pickup, pickup a good book now 

***********

When music is interpreted from the perspective of a seeker, we connect to the artist in a truly intimate way.  We say, "I get you.  I understand where you are coming from and where you are going.  I know your struggle.  Because I'm seeking, too.  We are all suffering and struggling in the same way through our different human experiences.  And I am grateful for your artistic expression." 


So Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, I am grateful to you for lighting up the road of my own spiritual journey.  Even when I didn't know I was walking it.


Peace, Love, Gratitude,
V


p.s.
A lifetime of thanks Uncle Angie and Pop, for always bringing your guitars and your songs.  I think if you two were around today, you'd look and sound and feel something like this:

p.p.s.  If you like this blog, please share it.  :-)