Lesson 1 - Four Agreements (from a musician)

There's a few books I frequently recommend, when I'm feeling inspired to share. "The Four Agreements" is probably at the top of the list, with a shout out to the Tao Te Ching.

I came across a video I came across on youtube that served as a nice refresher on the concepts behind the book:

I thought it might be fun to riff on some of the wisdom imparted, from a musical perspective.

Here's a quote from Lesson 1 of the video:

"You — that force of life — are always transforming, always evolving, always creating.
What you’re creating is a story — a virtual reality that becomes your mind.
You, that force of life, are also creating your physical body, a world made by billions of living beings — atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, and organs — until the whole being is one.
Your body is a universe. The earth is another universe. The sun and the planets are another universe. And if you expand your awareness, you’ll see that all the universes are connected. Every one of them is alive with the total power of the infinite.
Just imagine if you could identify with your true nature. Imagine how different your life would be if you believed in your “Self” — that force of life.
Imagine realizing the power that you have. The power of creation. The power of belief or faith. The power of love. They’re all the same power, of course, and that is what you are.
Today can be a day just like every other day, or today can be the day that you let go of what you think you are and become aware of what you really are.
When you change what you believe about yourself your whole life is going to change."

"Let go of what you think you are." Easier said than done, of course.

Imagine all of the things a musician, or anyone, might call themselves:

Beginner?

Master?

Talented?

Talentless?

Hip?

Lame?

Professional?

Amateur?

I say,

Choose your thoughts wisely! Ask yourself:

What is my true nature?

What does it mean to be a musician? A talented one? A professional one? A good one?

Am I preoccupied with opinions and judgments while I'm playing?

Am I a channel for the infinite power of the universe?

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