Today's DailyOM Offerings...
November 13, 2008
Planetary Chronicles Vol. 1
John Serrie
1992
John Serrie is one of the pioneers of instrumental or ambient "space music," using beds of synthesizers and a fertile imagination to plumb the depths of the galaxy. "I envision a certain depth, an experience of sound that gives space for the listener to repose," says Serie. "My goal is to combine the elements of space and romance, creating a delicate backdrop to the soul." A delicate backdrop is certainly created in volume one of Planetary Chronicles. Fans of vintage analog synthesizers will sigh in pleasure at hearing the distended, tangy drones with which Serrie paints his night-sky backdrops. Sinking deep into the star womb of your choice, you needn't hold onto the armrest because this is more of a planetarium journey than a full-on space ride. In fact, the music here was all originally composed for planetariums (Serrie worked for NASA as well).
After some tracks of calming light and synth star-shine, we pass through a belt of genuine eeriness with "The Straits of Madigann," a fully involved tour of the galaxy that climaxes with a 2001: A Space Odyssey sense of déjà vu end-of-time delirium. "Starmoods," by contrast, rises and falls on a steady, slow two-note ticktock hypnotic rhythm over which ships and shooting stars whoosh or revolve, while "The Auran Vector" is all ominous burbling phasers and distant alien frequencies pulsing and fading.
An essential benchmark in the history of space music, Planetary Chronicles is the missing link between early progressive-rock space cadets like Tangerine Dream or Pink Floyd and the current bevy of ambient-drone meditation music. As such it's a bit of a wandering child, seeking out the successful tone matches and melodic structures that other musicians usually build from when creating ambient music. Whatever you think of space music, the work of John Serrie is something else entirely. For space travelers who aren't afraid of going where no other musician has gone before, put on some headphones, get deep into your comfy chair, and sail along with Serrie, letting all the stars of a thousand galaxies twinkle in your mind's eye.
November 13, 2008
Focused and Intent
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Your single-minded focus on completing your obligations today may have you feeling conscientious, but you may also be looking forward to the uninterrupted relaxation that awaits you. With nothing more to occupy your mind, you will be free to focus just as intently on relaxation as you currently are on accomplishing your tasks. Instead of allowing your energy to be drained by worries about things that are yet to be done, your hard work now will entitle you to complete rest and rejuvenation later. Your conscience will not nag at you once you have finished your duties today, so you can then apply your whole being and all of your energy to fun and recreation.
When we focus our energy intently on anything, we can accomplish much more than we may realize. Generally, we allocate our energy simultaneously to various things that require our attention in different areas of our lives. But we are most fully present in life when we reduce the amount of attachments that use our energy. If we think of ourselves as a power strip, we can imagine all the things plugged into us. As we evaluate the issues that could range from carrying around a past hurt to worrying about logistics or finances, we free energy for the present moment. We can then choose where we want to devote and utilize our energy for maximum effect and enjoyment. We can use our single-minded focus today not only to complete tasks, but to fully enjoy life right now.
November 13, 2008
Knowing Too Much
Ignorance Can Be Bliss
These days, we can know too much. And while it sometimes can be a great benefit to know the tiniest details of events, both bitter and sweet, there are also times when knowing less about the future, our situations, and the world can be beneficial. Being blissfully ignorant does not mean ignoring vital information or shutting out the world’s tragedies. Rather, it is a way to step away from knowledge that may only needlessly have a negative impact on your life experience. It’s not always necessary to expose yourself to information that will overwhelm you, hold you back, or cause you pain. Sometimes, ignorance can be truly blissful.
While having all the information you need can help you make an informed decision, sometimes knowing all the information can be excess. Especially when you are trying to pursue a goal, the knowledge of all the ways in which you might fail can keep you from even trying. Blissful ignorance can sometimes propel you forward because you never even knew that the possibility of failure existed. Ignorance can also be bliss when you are facing hardships. If circumstances force you to take on a job you dislike, you may enter your new situation with unpleasant and preconceived notions that can likely create the very scenarios you are dreading. Experiencing a situation with no expectations and no advanced notions can allow you to experience it as new, because your blissful ignorance prevented you from having any preset ideas.
There is nothing wrong with avoiding "too much information," particularly when the knowledge isn’t going to serve you. When information is emotionally draining, impedes your progress, causes distress, or isn’t necessary to your experience, consider letting it pass you by. Remember the bliss of ignorance can sometimes be a gift.
Planetary Chronicles Vol. 1
John Serrie
1992
John Serrie is one of the pioneers of instrumental or ambient "space music," using beds of synthesizers and a fertile imagination to plumb the depths of the galaxy. "I envision a certain depth, an experience of sound that gives space for the listener to repose," says Serie. "My goal is to combine the elements of space and romance, creating a delicate backdrop to the soul." A delicate backdrop is certainly created in volume one of Planetary Chronicles. Fans of vintage analog synthesizers will sigh in pleasure at hearing the distended, tangy drones with which Serrie paints his night-sky backdrops. Sinking deep into the star womb of your choice, you needn't hold onto the armrest because this is more of a planetarium journey than a full-on space ride. In fact, the music here was all originally composed for planetariums (Serrie worked for NASA as well).
After some tracks of calming light and synth star-shine, we pass through a belt of genuine eeriness with "The Straits of Madigann," a fully involved tour of the galaxy that climaxes with a 2001: A Space Odyssey sense of déjà vu end-of-time delirium. "Starmoods," by contrast, rises and falls on a steady, slow two-note ticktock hypnotic rhythm over which ships and shooting stars whoosh or revolve, while "The Auran Vector" is all ominous burbling phasers and distant alien frequencies pulsing and fading.
An essential benchmark in the history of space music, Planetary Chronicles is the missing link between early progressive-rock space cadets like Tangerine Dream or Pink Floyd and the current bevy of ambient-drone meditation music. As such it's a bit of a wandering child, seeking out the successful tone matches and melodic structures that other musicians usually build from when creating ambient music. Whatever you think of space music, the work of John Serrie is something else entirely. For space travelers who aren't afraid of going where no other musician has gone before, put on some headphones, get deep into your comfy chair, and sail along with Serrie, letting all the stars of a thousand galaxies twinkle in your mind's eye.
November 13, 2008
Focused and Intent
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Your single-minded focus on completing your obligations today may have you feeling conscientious, but you may also be looking forward to the uninterrupted relaxation that awaits you. With nothing more to occupy your mind, you will be free to focus just as intently on relaxation as you currently are on accomplishing your tasks. Instead of allowing your energy to be drained by worries about things that are yet to be done, your hard work now will entitle you to complete rest and rejuvenation later. Your conscience will not nag at you once you have finished your duties today, so you can then apply your whole being and all of your energy to fun and recreation.
When we focus our energy intently on anything, we can accomplish much more than we may realize. Generally, we allocate our energy simultaneously to various things that require our attention in different areas of our lives. But we are most fully present in life when we reduce the amount of attachments that use our energy. If we think of ourselves as a power strip, we can imagine all the things plugged into us. As we evaluate the issues that could range from carrying around a past hurt to worrying about logistics or finances, we free energy for the present moment. We can then choose where we want to devote and utilize our energy for maximum effect and enjoyment. We can use our single-minded focus today not only to complete tasks, but to fully enjoy life right now.
November 13, 2008
Knowing Too Much
Ignorance Can Be Bliss
These days, we can know too much. And while it sometimes can be a great benefit to know the tiniest details of events, both bitter and sweet, there are also times when knowing less about the future, our situations, and the world can be beneficial. Being blissfully ignorant does not mean ignoring vital information or shutting out the world’s tragedies. Rather, it is a way to step away from knowledge that may only needlessly have a negative impact on your life experience. It’s not always necessary to expose yourself to information that will overwhelm you, hold you back, or cause you pain. Sometimes, ignorance can be truly blissful.
While having all the information you need can help you make an informed decision, sometimes knowing all the information can be excess. Especially when you are trying to pursue a goal, the knowledge of all the ways in which you might fail can keep you from even trying. Blissful ignorance can sometimes propel you forward because you never even knew that the possibility of failure existed. Ignorance can also be bliss when you are facing hardships. If circumstances force you to take on a job you dislike, you may enter your new situation with unpleasant and preconceived notions that can likely create the very scenarios you are dreading. Experiencing a situation with no expectations and no advanced notions can allow you to experience it as new, because your blissful ignorance prevented you from having any preset ideas.
There is nothing wrong with avoiding "too much information," particularly when the knowledge isn’t going to serve you. When information is emotionally draining, impedes your progress, causes distress, or isn’t necessary to your experience, consider letting it pass you by. Remember the bliss of ignorance can sometimes be a gift.