Cello Musings

Even as an inexperienced cellist, it seems like when making music on my cello, I am having a conversation with 4 friends of differing but agreeable personalities. The sanguine and gregarious A string, to the melancholy C string, with the thoughtful G string, and impish D string, all speaking in turn, as it were, around a table over a meal.

A friend and cellist whom I respect for his musicality, and thoughtful conversation, John Howe, described it as "an old friend" one time a while back when the topic came up of his current cello. At the time, I had no idea of the individuality of each, even at the lower price range. I suppose this should have been expected, since each is made from specific kinds of chosen wood. The organic nature of wood is such that even when shaped the same, there are individual differences in appearance, density, response that make each cello unique.

What has surprised me is the meditative nature of the endeavor. Playing, practicing, even tuning. It's almost as if a quiet discussion is being had between the wood and me. And the same way as if meeting an old friend over a relaxed Sunday brunch in a New England summer morning. Talk can flow and move over sundry topics of varying levels of depth and consequence. But more often than not, because of the friend, words are spoken that resonate within and find an expression without. The wood vibrates in response to the string, and a ringing is heard, unmistakable and without imitation. The relaxed but deliberate posture, the movement and motion of the whole organism, cello and human, these contribute to an experience unlike those described in other spiritual exercises.

Many of the movements are foreign, to be sure, but with familiar of anything comes a relaxed confidence with reduced effort. Bow pressure as well as fingers on the ebony fingerboard are coming with less struggle as well. Many hours still to go, but the enjoyment is palpable nonetheless. Not with any other instrument have I enjoyed the effort of learning like this. This may have more to do with the stage in life I am at or deliberate interaction with the instrument, but whatever the reason, it seems able to provide the excitement of immediate gratification as well as the satisfaction that it can only get better. I do not feel like I have to go through a breaking in session before the pleasure begins.

The final idea I want to address in this entry is one that I have considered important in my own life, but has surprised me to the extent in which it reaches. Satisfaction increases in my own mind when I can be of useful service. Music has proved to be more than a passing hobby or light amusement, but has provided a usefulness that I would never have foreseen when I first started piano lessons. Playing cello with some of kids at church not only builds rapport but confidence and enjoyment. Nursing homes and worship services enhanced. I had no idea I could be allowed to give to my community in this way. This has been quite a pleasant surprise.

Inspiration - The breath of life

As I came upon this blog entry by Barry Howe, Inspiration, several days ago when it was first posted, the first thought that entered my head was the kind of inspiration that motivates art or conquests or achievements. I had to chuckle when I read Christy's comment below it. That's the kind of inspiration I was thinking of.

Inspiration is what has launched ships, written plays, invented light bulbs, won medals, conquered kingdoms. And wrote the Bible:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: - 1 Timothy 3:16

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. - Job 32:8

It is not an accidental metaphor. To think the physiologic activity of breathing is analogous to the movement of the Holy Spirit on a person's heart is not so far fetched, and further analogies ensue that can be applied to the spiritual life:

1) It is the collection of substances in high enough quantities to be harmful (i.e. acid) that initiates the drive to inspire.

2) Inspiration is never forced in. A contraction of the diaphragm creates a vacuum, a void of substance, if you will, that is filled then with life-giving air. Only on a ventilator, an unnatural situation and an emergency, is 'inspiration' forced. And even then, it is not really inspiration, but mere ventilation.

3) Despite the action of breathing, inspiration can be inhibited. Anything that does not belong, whether man-made or biological, natural or artificial, that causes obstruction can prevent the benefit of inspiration from occurring.

4) Inspiration is not optional for life; without inspiration we would die.

Without inspiration there would be no art or beauty or cleverness or wit or poetry or stories. Without inspiration we would not only stop breathing, we would cease to live.

Have you every tried to write a poem, a story, paint a picture, photograph beauty, or create anything without inspiration?

1) It is often the pain in one's life, whether internal or external, its relief or its presence that brings inspiration or prompts a seeking after God.

2) God and His inspiration is never forced. Without a need created, its reception is not desired.

3) Things we do or positions we place ourselves in, even if not intrinsically evil or harmful, can be an obstruction to inspiration as well as to God's Holy Spirit. We really have a difficult time believing that what we eat, what we watch, listen to, do, or even think about have a bearing on our reception of life itself.

4) One day, we will each get what we want, whether the continued abiding or the continued absence of the presence of God who inspires...

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; - Acts 17:28

It is the longing of the heart

to be at peace with God.

The rain falls outside. They tell us that we are getting the edge of a hurricane here in Maine.

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Campmeeting Final Morning

Lake Yale Dock

Last day of Campmeeting. No doubt, inspiration for the Work.