Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Shakuhachi and Covid 19

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          Seriously? Has it truly been ten months since posting on this blog? Unfortunately, yes. :-(

               And there is no excuse other than letting things get away from me. This included practice and playing of my flutes. Summer and autumn extended into winter and it wasn't until today that I was electronically "kicked in the rear", though not intended, by Kiku Day and her post regarding playing Robuki to the planet for healing and show empathy for those affected. My wee light bulb went off and I was shocked at how long it had been. I felt immediate shame and sadness as well as anger at my lack of discipline.





While I TRY so hard to not beat myself up for such things, I had good cause to this time. Simply put...no excuses due to time constraints. I just have way too many interests and need to make a decision as to whether I want to continue playing this amazing instrument.







           Sure, what a stupid question. Of course I do!! And what a time for this to happen as now I have more time than ever. As of last week, my employment has been postponed for awhile. My job is still there, just that the college has shut down due to safety and the governors orders for non essential functions to be closed. While I will not be getting paid (unemployment rejected due to not having the minimum hours over a calendar year), this will be a good opportunity to start fresh and play again.

           So many months off has made playing really depressing but within an hour I had some stronger Ro notes going on Hideo, my primary shakuhachi. So, out came all the books and music as well as forming my mind around the culture and pieces again. It is amazing how quickly one can get back into the swing of things!!


                   


                         Covid 19 has been devastating to the planet and so many people have died or are infected. This is NOT a flu bug nor something to be taken lightly, as some have maintained. And being such an extrovert has not made this easy. Still, after a week off and away from others (most others), I now know what a perfect time this is to get to work on not only playing my shakuhachi again, but back to meditation and the tings I miss, that really inspired and calmed me, soothed my soul. Life can be horribly demanding and having the mindset and discipline to maintain the positive activities and actions can be tough.


                       Therefore, today marks the start of starting again. Of delving and immersing myself once more into those worlds that made me who I am in many ways. I'll never thank such things as a virus for creating such havoc and pain but most certainly will learn from this and adjust to it in the best way possible! _/||\_ 

                                                                  Namaste!