World Shakuhachi Discussion / Go to Live Shakuhachi Chat
You are not logged in.
Hi,
after reading so much about the gin here on the forum, I have been waiting my chance to give it a go.
The time came when I was out with my friends on a fashion display last week, soon the only bottle of BS on the bar was empty and we continued with other drinks. It was a good party, long and lots of fun and laughter.
The next day I woke up with a smile on my face (still little drunk). Although, my physique and psychique were very fragile I could feel life and happiness going through my body, everything was like thyme flavoured honey.
I had some bussiness to do during the day, yet the feeling lasted. When got home from my journeys I thought: lets try to let this feeling go through the flute. Lets not play from the position of control "in my head". Lets try shift this position to the chest and try to feel the music.
After some time I knew there was something rather peculiar going on. My sound has rarely been like that and I had much better control over it. Suprisingly, the tuning was not bad either since I could feel quite strongly what sounds resonate within me.
From then on I try to play with "conscious position" in my chest, the body is at rest and the music just pours.¨¨
Just wanted to share this strong experience I had, I hope I will not blamed for increasing spread of alcohol use and abuse in the ranks of shakuhachi players.
Cheers,
Marek
Last edited by marek (2008-07-03 17:45:12)
Offline
I agree it isn't a bad technique. I have used it myself a time or two
BrianP
Last edited by BrianP (2008-07-03 10:25:15)
Offline
Offline
Hey Phil, what happened to that picture?
Offline
That is wonderful! Thanks.
Offline
I used to be quite proficient in Wild Turkey technique (you should see my Kickin' Chicken stance); however, due to recent budgetary concerns, I've been resorting to the Evan Williams technique in a pinch.
Offline
So Bombay Saphhire is the secret weapon to good shakuhachi playing? :Lol:
Didn't pay much attention to it till reading it over and over in this forum!
As of alcohol consumption in buddhism, the believe the saying goes:
"Don't concentrate on the finger pointing to the moon, or you will miss all the heavenly glory!"
Offline
froggyantbear wrote:
"Don't concentrate on the finger pointing to the moon, or you will miss all the heavenly glory!"
Misquote. The real saying is "Do not point your finger at the god."
If you drink enough Bombay you will be able to play this flute.
Offline
Ah But you forget I HAVE played that flute in your office. Guess that gives me an entry into the "Secret Hidden Bombay level" transmission of shakuhachi training.
Tairaku wrote:
Misquote. The real saying is "Do not point your finger at the god."
"Do not confuse the moon with the pointing finger" is apparently a Zen Koan saying, but most famously said in 1973 "Enter the Dragon" by The Bruce Lee. And the appropriate quote is "it is like a finger pointing to the moon...dont concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory"
As to "Do not point your finger at the god", I am highly unfamiliar with. Doesnt sound like anything I've heard off the Theravadan tradition or the Tibetan tradition of buddhism. Do enlighten.
Offline
Failing to see the humor in this thread is kind of like mistaking the finger for the moon. As I remember it, it is not a saying but a story.
A teacher lived with one of his disciples in a small home on a mountain above the trees, mists, and even clouds. People eager to learn would often make the journey to see the teacher and would arrive at night, since it was such a long and difficult climb up the mountain. Upon their arrival, the disciple would lead them in to meet the teacher, who would escort them to a window through which one could see the moon. The teacher would silently point his finger to the moon and then the travelers would be escorted back out into the night without anymore instruction. One night travelers arrived, but the disciple could not find his teacher. So, he escorted them to the window and held out his hand to point to the moon as he had seen his teacher do so often. At that moment the teacher stepped out of the shadows with a knife and promptly cut off the disciple's hand. He was a compassionate teacher to give the disciple such a valuable lesson.
Offline
froggyantbear wrote:
As to "Do not point your finger at the god", I am highly unfamiliar with. Doesnt sound like anything I've heard off the Theravadan tradition or the Tibetan tradition of buddhism. Do enlighten.
It's likely your unfamiliarity here stems from a simple typo; the actual phrase should be: "Do not point your finger at the dog."
That should clear things up...
Offline
I thought the "Finger at the Moon" line was from ENTER THE DRAGON.
Last edited by ABRAXAS (2009-01-30 13:50:24)
Offline
lowonthetotem wrote:
Failing to see the humor in this thread is kind of like mistaking the finger for the moon.
Of course, i saw a lot of humor in the thread, but I thought the saying was just a version of it I hadn't heard.
lowonthetotem wrote:
At that moment the teacher stepped out of the shadows with a knife and promptly cut off the disciple's hand. He was a compassionate teacher to give the disciple such a valuable lesson.
Ouch!!! That's makes me glad I was born in this day in age in the US. Thank you for the valuable lesson Hadn't heard that one either.
Offline
edosan wrote:
froggyantbear wrote:
As to "Do not point your finger at the god", I am highly unfamiliar with. Doesnt sound like anything I've heard off the Theravadan tradition or the Tibetan tradition of buddhism. Do enlighten.
It's likely your unfamiliarity here stems from a simple typo; the actual phrase should be: "Do not point your finger at the dog."
Or the Green Hornet!!
I thought Bruce Lee was a god!? Nah, just water like the rest of us
Offline
Kerry wrote:
I thought Bruce Lee was a god!? Nah, just water like the rest of us
Well we are a river, he is the sea.
lowonthetotem wrote:
Failing to see the humor in this thread is kind of like mistaking the finger for the moon. As I remember it, it is not a saying but a story.
What I meant with that was that the alcohol consumption of Bombay Sapphire was the finger pointing to good shakuhachi playing, and that it usage perhaps shouldn't be condemned as long as one isn't attached to it. everybody needs a pointing finger for direction every now and then I suppose.
Offline
"Do not point your finger at the god" is a Sri Lankan saying, so it's Theravada, not Zen or Mahayana (not that I want to open the wounds of the Zen arguments).
Since Bombay is Indian and Sri Lanka is part of the Subcontinent this saying is appropriate.
Offline
But what does it mean?
Offline
"Do not point your finger at the dog."
Especially the one to the left.
Offline
OK if you follow these pics you will understand the meaning of "Do not point your finger at the god."
Offline
I want...
Cheers,
Marek
PS: I hope that the practice of sending good alcohol among shakuhachi forum members will only flourish. I hope that one lovely day...
Offline
Wow. Maybe we should all chip in and get it all sent to us via mail. And we'd all be shakuhachi masters. The world will bow at our feet.
Offline
Drink up shriners.
Offline