Today's DailyOM Offerings...
December 31, 2008
The Cosmic Game
Thievery Corporation
2005
Thievery Corporation are DJs Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, two well-dressed hotel-lounge mainstays whose posh hybrid of downtempo lounge and sophisticated trip-hop world beat is a de rigueur presence on chill-out mixes the world over. The Cosmic Game stands out from their past track collections, by adding up to more than dance and background music. Here, steamy reggae roots, exotic Asian percussion, and languid rhythm bake together throughout this album's running length, fermenting a low-burn revolution during the wee hours when consciousness heightening is akin to a political act. Collaborations from artists like David Byrne and Wayne Coyne (of the Flaming Lips) meld with gorgeous, petite connecting instrumentals and world music guests, notably Asian ingénue Gunjan. In each case, the guest vocalists work for the track, not the other way around, and the result throbs as a unique, spacey, organic whole.
As with most TC albums, the sublime, tropical downtempo vibe has a cool habit of wandering into propulsive Jamaican dub territory-that deep, drowsy bass-basted blend of trip-hop and reggae and echo-laden rasta "toaster" vocals by artists like Notch ("Amerimacka") and Sleepy Wonder ("Warning Shots"). Elsewhere, instrumentals weave silken pillows and clear desert skies, as in "Satyam Shivan Sundaram," where gorgeous vocals from Gunjan cascade over sitar and tambourine-accented beats. The collaborative melting-pot nature of the production is evident elsewhere. Singer Perry Ferrell (of Jane's Addiction) is almost unrecognizable in his blurry echo-treated vocal on "Revolution Solution" ("the toil of the many goes / To the fortunate few / Revolution solution / I've come to join you").
It's a sentiment that runs strong throughout the album, but the solution the Corporation advocates sees revolution as consciousness as well as politics. "The chains of Babylon / Are all on our mind," notes Sista Pat on "Wires and Watchtowers," and in "The Supreme Illusion," the hypnotic vocalizing of Gunjan seems to promise just such a freedom through boundless introspection and aural luxury. The singers on these big, comfy tracks seem free here, able to surrender their famous personas and meld into the irresistible textures. Listeners are advised to do the same, since Thievery Corporation's sound is spacious and inviting enough for everyone.
December 31, 2008
Integrate Work With Spirit
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Getting your work duties done could be a priority for you, which may mean that you could find yourself completely absorbed in your responsibilities today. Your dedication to your work may be the result of your desire to get everything done efficiently. Should you begin to feel that your work is consuming you today, however, you might want to schedule five-minute meditation-relaxation periods during which you can come back to your inner self in order to align your work with your overall life goals. Making the time to reflect on your work as it relates to the deeper aspects of your being could infuse your tasks with a greater sense of purpose and strengthen the connection between your working life and your spiritual self.
Giving ourselves time to contemplate the place work has in our lives enriches everything we do. While working, we sometimes get so caught up in what we do that it can become an obsession that may lead us to forsake everything else in our lives that is also important to us-family, friends, spirit. Taking a break from what we are doing during the day to consciously think about how our duties fit into the complete scheme of our lives, however, allows us to think about the ways in which our work fills our lives with spiritual meaning. By becoming aware of the connection between your work and your spirit today, you will cultivate deeper levels of integration between your higher self and the other aspects of your life.
December 31, 2008
New Year's Resolutions: The Two Lists
A Message from DailyOM Co-Founder Scott Blum
I was fortunate to spend time with an enigmatic man named Robert during a very special period of my life. Robert taught me many things during our days together, and this time of year reminds me of one particular interaction we had.
"Now that you are becoming more aware," Robert said, "you need to begin to set goals for yourself so you don't lose the momentum you have built."
"Like New Year's resolutions?" I asked.
"That's an interesting idea," he smirked. "Let's do that."
By then I was used to his cryptic responses, so I knew something was up because of the way his eyes sparkled as he let out an impish laugh.
"Tonight's assignment is to make two lists," Robert continued. "The first is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WANT to keep, and the second is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WILL keep. Write the WANT List first, and when you have exhausted all of your ideas, then write the second list on another sheet of paper."
That night I went home and spent several hours working on the two lists. The WANT List felt overwhelming at first, but after a while I got into writing all the things I had always wanted to do if the burdens of life hadn't gotten in the way. After nearly an hour, the list swelled to fill the entire page and contained nearly all of my ideas of an ideal life. The second list was much easier, and I was able to quickly commit ten practical resolutions that I felt would be both realistic and helpful.
The next day, I met Robert in front of the local food Co-op, where we seemed to have most of our enlightening conversations. "Tell me about your two lists," Robert said as the familiar smirk crept onto his face.
"The first list contains all the things I SHOULD do if I completely changed my life to be the person I always wanted to be. And the second list contains all the things I COULD do by accepting my current life, and taking realistic steps towards the life I want to lead."
"Let me see the second list," he said.
I handed him the second list, and without even looking at it, he ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can. His disregard for the effort I had put into the list annoyed me at first, but after I calmed down I began to think about the first list in a different light. In my heart, I knew the second list was a cop out, and the first list was the only one that really mattered.
"And now, the first list." Robert bowed his head and held out both of his hands.
I purposefully handed him the first list and held his gaze for several seconds, waiting for him to begin reading the page. After an unusually long silence, he began to crumple the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without looking at it.
"What did you do that for?!" I couldn't hide my anger any longer.
Robert began to speak in a quiet and assured voice. "What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you MUST do."
He then drew a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me.
I opened it carefully, and found a single word floating in the middle of the white page:
"Love."
For more information visit ScottBlum.net
The Cosmic Game
Thievery Corporation
2005
Thievery Corporation are DJs Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, two well-dressed hotel-lounge mainstays whose posh hybrid of downtempo lounge and sophisticated trip-hop world beat is a de rigueur presence on chill-out mixes the world over. The Cosmic Game stands out from their past track collections, by adding up to more than dance and background music. Here, steamy reggae roots, exotic Asian percussion, and languid rhythm bake together throughout this album's running length, fermenting a low-burn revolution during the wee hours when consciousness heightening is akin to a political act. Collaborations from artists like David Byrne and Wayne Coyne (of the Flaming Lips) meld with gorgeous, petite connecting instrumentals and world music guests, notably Asian ingénue Gunjan. In each case, the guest vocalists work for the track, not the other way around, and the result throbs as a unique, spacey, organic whole.
As with most TC albums, the sublime, tropical downtempo vibe has a cool habit of wandering into propulsive Jamaican dub territory-that deep, drowsy bass-basted blend of trip-hop and reggae and echo-laden rasta "toaster" vocals by artists like Notch ("Amerimacka") and Sleepy Wonder ("Warning Shots"). Elsewhere, instrumentals weave silken pillows and clear desert skies, as in "Satyam Shivan Sundaram," where gorgeous vocals from Gunjan cascade over sitar and tambourine-accented beats. The collaborative melting-pot nature of the production is evident elsewhere. Singer Perry Ferrell (of Jane's Addiction) is almost unrecognizable in his blurry echo-treated vocal on "Revolution Solution" ("the toil of the many goes / To the fortunate few / Revolution solution / I've come to join you").
It's a sentiment that runs strong throughout the album, but the solution the Corporation advocates sees revolution as consciousness as well as politics. "The chains of Babylon / Are all on our mind," notes Sista Pat on "Wires and Watchtowers," and in "The Supreme Illusion," the hypnotic vocalizing of Gunjan seems to promise just such a freedom through boundless introspection and aural luxury. The singers on these big, comfy tracks seem free here, able to surrender their famous personas and meld into the irresistible textures. Listeners are advised to do the same, since Thievery Corporation's sound is spacious and inviting enough for everyone.
December 31, 2008
Integrate Work With Spirit
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Getting your work duties done could be a priority for you, which may mean that you could find yourself completely absorbed in your responsibilities today. Your dedication to your work may be the result of your desire to get everything done efficiently. Should you begin to feel that your work is consuming you today, however, you might want to schedule five-minute meditation-relaxation periods during which you can come back to your inner self in order to align your work with your overall life goals. Making the time to reflect on your work as it relates to the deeper aspects of your being could infuse your tasks with a greater sense of purpose and strengthen the connection between your working life and your spiritual self.
Giving ourselves time to contemplate the place work has in our lives enriches everything we do. While working, we sometimes get so caught up in what we do that it can become an obsession that may lead us to forsake everything else in our lives that is also important to us-family, friends, spirit. Taking a break from what we are doing during the day to consciously think about how our duties fit into the complete scheme of our lives, however, allows us to think about the ways in which our work fills our lives with spiritual meaning. By becoming aware of the connection between your work and your spirit today, you will cultivate deeper levels of integration between your higher self and the other aspects of your life.
December 31, 2008
New Year's Resolutions: The Two Lists
A Message from DailyOM Co-Founder Scott Blum
I was fortunate to spend time with an enigmatic man named Robert during a very special period of my life. Robert taught me many things during our days together, and this time of year reminds me of one particular interaction we had.
"Now that you are becoming more aware," Robert said, "you need to begin to set goals for yourself so you don't lose the momentum you have built."
"Like New Year's resolutions?" I asked.
"That's an interesting idea," he smirked. "Let's do that."
By then I was used to his cryptic responses, so I knew something was up because of the way his eyes sparkled as he let out an impish laugh.
"Tonight's assignment is to make two lists," Robert continued. "The first is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WANT to keep, and the second is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WILL keep. Write the WANT List first, and when you have exhausted all of your ideas, then write the second list on another sheet of paper."
That night I went home and spent several hours working on the two lists. The WANT List felt overwhelming at first, but after a while I got into writing all the things I had always wanted to do if the burdens of life hadn't gotten in the way. After nearly an hour, the list swelled to fill the entire page and contained nearly all of my ideas of an ideal life. The second list was much easier, and I was able to quickly commit ten practical resolutions that I felt would be both realistic and helpful.
The next day, I met Robert in front of the local food Co-op, where we seemed to have most of our enlightening conversations. "Tell me about your two lists," Robert said as the familiar smirk crept onto his face.
"The first list contains all the things I SHOULD do if I completely changed my life to be the person I always wanted to be. And the second list contains all the things I COULD do by accepting my current life, and taking realistic steps towards the life I want to lead."
"Let me see the second list," he said.
I handed him the second list, and without even looking at it, he ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can. His disregard for the effort I had put into the list annoyed me at first, but after I calmed down I began to think about the first list in a different light. In my heart, I knew the second list was a cop out, and the first list was the only one that really mattered.
"And now, the first list." Robert bowed his head and held out both of his hands.
I purposefully handed him the first list and held his gaze for several seconds, waiting for him to begin reading the page. After an unusually long silence, he began to crumple the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without looking at it.
"What did you do that for?!" I couldn't hide my anger any longer.
Robert began to speak in a quiet and assured voice. "What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you MUST do."
He then drew a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me.
I opened it carefully, and found a single word floating in the middle of the white page:
"Love."
For more information visit ScottBlum.net