Hope you are taking some time off reflecting on one of the most challenging years of modern times, and getting some rest. Here, I’m going to spend the day playing my shakuhachi and later on driving to Orlando to see ICE! at the Gaylord Palms.
Above, new recording from Essence, was just sent my way so thought to share with you all. This is live recording at Essence concert at St. Gregory’s Church in San Francisco, October 24th 2009.
“Essence” is a collaboration between the virtuoso Koto artist Michiyo Koga, Taiko masters Kenny Endo and Jimi Nakagawa, and the master Shakuhachi player Masayuki Koga.
I was watching some videos on YouTube and came across this one (below), a neat way to practice a rather difficult Shakuhachi’s Meri/Kari notes ( another video by Perry Yung explaining further here). So as I was watching I was curious who is the person who made the video. Quick search within his videos and I found the name: Geni Skendo. Wanting to learn more, I visited Geni’s website without much expectations, but found out the following note in the Lessons section:
Music is such a amazing gift God has given us. NO student will be turned down for lack of money.
For a long time I argued my case that some are “natural born teachers”, that is, the love of teaching is greater than the desire of making a living. They teach because they want to help others regardless of pay. They teach because teaching allows further learning, as when you teach, you must break things into their basic fundamentals.
It is refreshing to see one who cares about teaching, one who is willing to go out of his way to share their passion, their knowledge.
To Geni, although we haven’t met, I salute you for the willingness to share, to teach, to help others.
Judging a year by the events and results within it will do no justice, as many correspondent events will only manifest in the future, at times, many years afterward. The tech bubble of 2001 brought many prosperous years to many, possibly even to you. There’s no doubt 2008 was a an extremely historical year. From an African American president to the collapse of financial giants, the bombing in Bombay to what now goes on in Israel. As for the domain channel, I believe the house of cards had to collapse for something bigger and better to emerge. It is those events who push the boundaries for all, and in the long run, I do believe for the better.To me, 2008 signifies diversification, peace of mind, progression, and new beginnings. Our company Recall Media Group is doing better than ever and is growing exponentially. I believe I found the woman I want to be with (Michelle), I invested further in my own health and spirit, spent time expanding my horizons (learning new subjects), and lately, I discovered the Shakuhachi, which I quickly have fallen in love with.
I’ll end here with a note I received from my dear friend Dr. Chris Hartnett:
We are not responding to this instant if we are judging any aspect of it.
The ego looks for what to criticize. This always involves comparing with the past.
But love looks upon the world peacefully and accepts.
The ego searches for shortcomings and weaknesses.
Love watches for any sign of strength.
It sees how far each one has come and not how far he/she has to go.
How simple it is to love, and exhausting it is to always find fault, for every time we see a fault we think something needs to be done about it.
Love knows that nothing is ever needed but more love. It is what we do with our hearts that affects others most deeply.
It is not the movements of our body or the words within our minds that transmits love.
Loading ...
Recent comments