Remembering Bob Marley, Who Died 30 Years Ago, Today.

Thirty years ago, Bob Marley died. It was a life cut far too short. He was so much more than a musician and icon of the popular musical style, reggae. He was a visionary, a healer and an inspiration to the down-trodden, listless American kids drowning in the chaos of modernity and especially to those of African heritage who have been oppressed. He was a rebel but one who eschewed violence in favor of radical love. I say radical, because it's easy to respond with violence to the problems Bob described in his songs. But, his answer was to trust in a higher power--love, which unites all beings. As the Dalai Lama says, no being wants to suffer.

Marley, woke up a sleepy, middle-class America to the injustices of the black man but his lyrics spoke to anyone facing a struggle against the corrupt powers of man poisoned by greed, hatred and delusion. In other words, the three poisons that Buddha warns us about. Come to think of it, I hear a lot of spirituality in his songs that Buddhist would agree with; along with his over-all energy of peace, love and simplicity. Unfortunately he wasn't with us that long but the sheer weight of what he has inspired in countless people spanning many generations shows that it doesn't take a lifetime to positively change lives forever. So, let us take inspiration from his example and be the change we want to see the world--today.

I will leave you with this quote, from then Jamaican Prime Minister, Edward Seaga about Bob Marley, said at his funeral:

"His voice was an omnipresent cry in our electronic world. Bob Marley was never 'seen.' He was an 'experience,' which left an indelible imprint with every encounter. Such a man cannot be erased from the mind." He certainly changed my life forever when I began my life-long love of his music at the age of 13. If you're a fan, let's take a moment to listen to his music and rededicate ourselves to his vision. May his legend live long and strong!! One people, One heart, One love. The video below is of musicians from around the world singing Bob's classic song, "One Love." For lyrics in English, click here. Enjoy!!

~Peace to all beings~

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Reggae Koan.

This guys is one of my favorite artists. Matisyahu is a Hasidic Jewish Reggae/hip-hop artist. I'm a big fan of reggae and find the rhythms especially soothing, inspirational and enlightening. The lyrics in reggae are often about social justice, peace, love, spirituality and harmony and like a lot of music it brings about a sort of musical satori. Music is a powerful force in my life and one that often acts as guide along the middle-path between somethingness and nothingness. I especially like this lyric from Matisyahu's version of this Bob classic, which is a kind of reggae koan:

Everyman thinks that his burden is the heaviest.

~Peace to all beings~

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Musical Interlude: Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours." Buddhism and Music.

I thought I'd post a fun, happy and relaxing song this morning. The artist is Jason Mraz and I really dig his reggae sound. Reggae is one of my favorite musical styles because it is so calming and gets me to dance around a bit and let my body relax to the beat. I also really like the message of this song of living in the now, letting go of our hang-ups and enjoying what he have and not worrying about what we don't have. As well as rejoicing in the power of love.

Music can be very spiritual as I think sound is something that our brain can easily absorb without too much thinking. Songs are great ways to express feelings, ideas and emotions that might be otherwise difficult to express through language. For me, It's about letting go to the present moment of the songs to just enjoy the beauty and power of sound. When I'm having a bad day it's hard too continue feeling glum after listening to say, Bob Marley.

Music is very meditative in that it can relax the body and mind to better enable deep contemplation and peacefulness. It's also a way to release stress and anxiety as music is for me a kind of audio massage and/or way to channel and safely discharge my less skillful thoughts and energy. I have found listening to positive music and/or chanting before meditation to be a great way to calm the brain and prepare it for sitting meditation.

The vibrations from the musical tones of chanting vibrates throughout the body and I have found relaxes the muscles that tense up in our day to day motions/actions. In addition it opens up the lungs so that breathing deeply during meditation is easier. From my experience I have found that listening to music and/or chants before meditation is kind of like stretching before running.

~Peace to all beings~

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