Wednesday, September 3, 2008

One moment, one single moment.

I was driving around in my car, today, listing to the music of Ornette Coleman more particularly his debut album Something Else!!!!  I enjoy his music very much but it's on the basis of trying to understand it.  Every so often I pop in the disc just to see if maybe a little more has sunk in.  I concentrate on his saxophone as it weaves a web of complex scales and patters.  I wonder about the notes that pop in and out of structure.  I try to emulate that trademark syncopated cymbal beat on my steering wheel.  But in earnest it's simply to ask why?  I don't know how many jazz listeners out there that ask this question, It's a pretty smug scene.  They must all be in on the joke.

This particular listen I started from the back of the album.  I let my my mind wander as those rhythms surrounded me as I drove.  What surprised me is that for a second, for a brief second I got it.  All that musical mumbo jumbo came smack into context and I understood.  It was magical but it was short.  Just as soon as I realized this moment, the moment was gone.  It was almost zen-like.  For you to be truly enlightened you must get past yourself, ignore your mind and live in the present.  To quote a favorite saying that I know, "your mind is a phantom that lives in the past or future.  It's only purpose is draw your attention away from the present."  You will never reach Nirvana if you are looking for it.

It's similar to a dream.  You can have this rich, wonderful dream only to wake up when you realize that you are dreaming.  How can we then hold on to it?  Maybe the secret of enlightenment is knowing that it soon will pass.  Maybe the truly enlightened know that this precious moment stay is short and rarely comes.  Let it flow and then let it go.  Let the moment pass to someone else.

So what does this mean?  Does it mean that Ornette Coleman's music is Nirvana and that Nirvana is a dream?  I don't know.  What I do know is that I'm still going to keep listening.  


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