Hive Open Mic ( #openmic ) is a global community working for world peace through a love of live music. Each week is a new invitation to express and connect.
This week's Hive Open Mic theme is: Different Thoughts. This brings to mind an important breakthrough in my personal life: I'm learning to think in three distinct ways, primarily. There's a masculine way, a feminine way, and a childlike way. Each way holds its special rewards for specific scenarios. I'll explain.
A friend helped me to see that I've been listening in a masculine way. The masculine way shows up by seeking truth, giving advice, and trying to solve issues. It is natural for a dad, like myself, to embrace this role while relating with the kids. The feminine way shows up by surrendering to the mystery, listening generously, accepting things as they are. The childlike way shows up by exploring the edges, guided by curiosity.
It's helpful to understand these differences in thinking, specifically as it relates to listening. I am honored to be the host of this fabulous community we share here, called Hive Open Mic, and I believe everyone benefits from a practice in generous listening. In my personal practice, I am learning to listen in various ways, and I aim to be more brotherly in my presence here on Hive.
On another note, my music selection this week is a song about dreaming, waking, and racing to remember the dream. To me, dreaming is a different kind of thinking, because it takes place beyond the conscious mind, seemingly generated by the subconscious mind, or possibly the superconscious mind.
I keep a dream journal because dreams are interesting to me, and also because I am a dream interpreter. To me, dream interpretation is a fine study in "seeing" the invisible, subtle, unknown realms, always with a soft gaze and open curiosity. My way of interpreting dreams is based on Carl Jung's method: I am everyone in my dream.
The song I'm sharing her is calle “Sleep,” by Phish. I first learned to love this song when I saw Bittersweet Motel—a documentary film that follows the band, circa 1999. For me, the most notable scene is a live solo performance of this very song, played by the band's frontman Trey Anastasio. During an interview, Trey says that this song is a good example of the genius shown in the band's chief lyricist, whose name is Tom Marshall.
Looking closely at the lyrics, I admire the surreal experience of being in between the dream state and waking life. I also notice the elegance in its poetry, precisely written with eight syllables in 11 lines. If you've ever attempted to write a sonnet or a haiku, you know these poems require a sophisticated blend of right-brain creativity and left-brain logic.
Feels great to share this song. Hope you enjoy it.
Sleep
by Phish
I can't describe the feeling when
I'm in my bed asleep and then
I wake up with a vision blurred
And all my efforts are deterred
To reconstruct this image lost
There's certain things my mind must do
And even though they're very few
The image glistens like a gem
Repairing is not one of them
So I'm awake though in my mind
The image that's so unrefined
Is calling to me from the deep
And tempting me to fall asleep
Acknowledgements
Hive Open Mic - Week 87 is underway right now, with the current theme: Different Thoughts. We introduce new themes every Sunday, inviting musicians to share a common current. Musicians always have full freedom to bring whatever music feels inspired in the moment. There is still time to jump in and enjoy this week's Hive Open Mic event!
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