Recently, I realized very clearly that even the world's most spiritual leaders, and even with the world's advancements in other ways (technologically, intellectually, psychologically), there has not been a particular individual who has brought about world peace. In some way, I think there already IS world peace, but it is a kind of hidden thing. What I think though is that, perhaps, world peace is not the goal. Honestly, if Jesus really did exist, he didn't achieve it. And, if the kinds of things he did were true, I would think that he would be somebody who at least would have been aiming at world peace, you know? But, that's not what happened. Nobody has caused it to happen outwardly.
So, I started thinking about that a bit. Maybe it's not the goal. Sometimes I think people look at other people's examples and say "well, if they couldn't/didn't do it, why could/should I be able to" (with whatever thing) and that's not what I mean, either. What I mean is that, truly, maybe it's not the goal. Something else is. I think that the worlds greatest individuals have given us tools, and in fact we each have to work things out individually. Not that helping each other is impossible or unnecessary or wrong, but there's something we each have to come to grips with inside of our own hearts and souls, and within our own lives. And, that's somehow tricky, because it actually DOES involve the world and how we experience it and think about it. It involves other people. I mean, maybe as we each utilize particular tools, and as we each demonstrate higher abilities to use them, maybe at some point world peace would be achieved ... as a result of something else.
But, along those lines, I don't even think world peace is what it seems. I think that most people, if they try to imagine it, imagine something like placidness at all times and in all ways. I don't think anymore that's what it means. I think rather what it means is a type of activity, a kind of constant activity, and this activity is somehow vital and brilliant and all-encompassing.
In the meantime, lately I wonder if there is anymore even such a thing as a concert career? I mean, I know there are people out there making a living by way of giving concerts, but it seems like something is always sacrificed for it. Sometimes even the music itself. And, so I wonder, is there actually a "thing" ... an office of any sort, where a great artist, not just piano player, has a place giving concerts in the world for a living? It's almost as though artists are taking on a different kind of life or a different kind of meaning. Nowadays, it seems, it's not just out of necessity as though an artist can't make it in the world as an artist, but as though there is a newish kind of office being born (not entirely new, though). These days an artist is also a teacher, not because they have to be in order to make ends meet (even if that is actually true), but it's not enough anymore that somebody has chops and can plow through hoards of repertoire. Artistic playing requires thoughtful repose, deep study, spiritual growth and life, and then it's almost as though it actually REQUIRES teaching in the sense that the individual sharing his/her knowledge in this way brings about a different sort of artist altogether. I don't claim to understand how it all works yet though, so please understand that I don't mean to offend.
Lately though, I look at the piano and the keys ... and, it's as though it looks dated to me. I'm not sure why. This is partly due to some reading I did not TOO long ago regarding the forerunners of the piano, and then in part because of the seemingly changing music world ...
Topic: How are you doing right now ?