Moving Forward

     My music program is over as of today.   I am going to stick around Ubud for a few more days to practice and take a few lessons, but people are starting to go home now and do their own thing. I took a few detours with this program to work with my needs, but I took from it what I could, and  now I feel a great sense of relief to walk my own path, figuratively and literally. Sometimes we have to do the best we can when walking the path someone else has laid out for us, but in reality, even that is our own path.  How we deal with obstacles is truly part of our journey, and that is something I so want to learn more about.  I think, perhaps, that that was an important lesson for me these last few weeks.  Did I deal with everything the best I could?  Yes, with the tools I have at this moment, I did.  Can I get better, absolutely!  But, I know that I am a strong woman, I have gained confidence in the last few weeks and months, I have a better idea of what I am good at and what I want to get better at, and I now have more insight of how music, art, and spirituality can play a very important role in my life and service to others.
     One of the insights I have had is finally crossing the line from classically trained pianist and piano teacher to a true music and art lover and lover of people.  I think the world of highly trained classical musicians, and in some cases, all music, can pull the spirit out of a student and a teacher.  At the same time,  it can also be the most beautiful blend of high level playing and a beautiful soul. Walking that fine line and keeping it balanced is the key.  I know a good number of musicians and music teachers who are able to do this, and it is an extraordinary thing.   I got an invitation, this morning, from a good friend in McKinney who is having a house concert showcasing two musicians that balance music and soul.  I do not know where I will be, but I told her that I will be there.  To be in the same room when these musicians are playing is a slice of heaven that I do not want to miss.
     I mentioned on Facebook the other day about a music making evening I had recently.  The day of our program's final concert, I kept having wonderful experiences with people throughout the day.  I went into the shop of one man who sold Buddhas.  We sat on the floor of the shop and talked about chakras and meditation.  He started doing a little acupressure to see if I had pain and he was so tender.  Later, I was searching for a coffee shop someone had told me about.  I couldn't find it, but I found a small booth where a woman pulverized lemongrass, ginger, lime, honey and some other roots and added them to hot water.  When I told her I didn't want to pay the high price for a snack across the street in the touristy organic shop, she handed over two bags of local snacks and said I didn't have to pay for those.  They were her gift.  Our program had its final concert at the end of the day, and it was well played by the instructors and the students, and I was so glad to be there to support them and play in part of the program.  I want to say that the spirit of my fellow students are definitely heading toward this wonderful balance, and I have so enjoyed getting to know them.  I hope to one day visit Taiwan and see them again, and I know I will see A.J. And Andy again.  I feel it in my bones. The personal music making, for me, however,  was later that night at Soma, a local restaurant.  On the way there, I met another young man and we sat on the curb for 20 minutes talking about really beautiful things.  When I got to the restaurant, I was dying to play the keyboard along with some mantra music this guitarist and hand drummer were doing.  They were open to me joining in, and my fingers were so happy to be moving across the keyboard.  I wasn't even phased at playing a couple of pop tunes by ear and working them out as I went.  By the end, we had keyboard, bass, guitar and vocals, a backup singer, and a djembe player.  When we finished up with "Imagine",  about 5 other people joined in singing, and I was asked to take a solo on keyboard, as well. There is no video of this, and some tears were shed.  I don't need a video to remember how much that music meant to all of us that night.  Some of us were trained and some self taught.  What happened was communication, emotion, and unity.  A wonderful combination.  That is how I want to continue using my music, and maybe, one day, my art as well.  I think that touching the soul and letting people follow their path and simply use music and art, or whatever the interest is, as a vehicle, is the key.  We get so caught up in "the right" way to do things.  There is merit in that, for sure, and my personal goal is to work on technique and facility but to blend that with listening to the needs of others and drawing from a deeper place when I am playing music, making art, and working with others.  I think this could apply to every job out there.  I see it in the people here in Bali.  Daily spirituality (not necessarily the once a week trip to temple) comes above all else.  It is part of everyday living.  Maybe that is why they are so calm and friendly.  Could just be the answer for us westerners.
     On Tuesday, I head to The Unesco World Heritage Sight of the rice fields up north a bit.  We went yesterday, but did not get to stay but just a few minutes.  It is very rural, and if you are interested in why it is a world heritage sight, look up the Unesco website.  It is a beautiful thing organized by the Subak System called Tri Hita Karana, a philosophy that promotes the harmonious relationship between the realms of the spirit, the human world, and nature.  It is really worth reading about.  Http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194. I am just going to take a taxi there and hope to find a place to stay.  I will practice, read, walk the rice fields, and meditate.  It is time to move forward.