Leaders on the Path of Music

There is no delete button in life. Without a particular experience occurring or a particular person being in our life we would not be who we are. All of our life experiences and the people we meet contribute to who we are and influence the way we view the world.

Our passions and core beliefs greatly affect who we are as a person. One of those passions for me has been music. Let me start by sharing my music background. Thanks to my mother I had my first musical experience when I was seven. I started studying the clarinet and as time went on I also began playing the saxophone, flute and guitar. As an adolescent and teen I was exposed to many different kinds of music including folk, blues, jazz and the music of the sixties. As these rhythms and feelings became engrained in me, I opened up to many unexplored ideas and feelings that changed who I was and how I viewed the world. This new awareness and continued unfolding led me to consider new possibilities in my life and in music. This led to meditation and yoga.

When my girlfriend at that time, suggested to me that I might consider studying the Bansuri, a bamboo flute, with G.S. Sachdev, the world-renowned master from India, I was intrigued. I was also aware that the late George Harrison of the Beatles was studying with the legendary Ravi Shankar and it seemed to be part of the evolutionary flow of my life. For approximately a year I studied with Sachdev and began a relationship that has expanded much beyond music.

In the seventies I was asked by Bay Area Music Magazine to write an article describing the influence this experience has had on my own music. The original article was never published but twenty-five years later as part of the evolutionary flow of my life as I sit here writing, I am listening to the "Tribute to George Harrison" thinking about the huge impact music has had on who I am and the way I relate to the world.

I have often thought about the effect music has on our whole being… on our whole psyche and its remarkable ability to instantly change our moods and feelings. I also think about the many ways music, on some level, has become part of every important event and experience in the world. And what about the ability of some musicians to become icons and leaders for the next generation? When looking back at the legends it is very common to think of a particular musician as a symbol for something much greater than the music…the musician represents a philosophy or culture, or style of living and in some instances becomes a cult figure. Just think of Dylan, Bob Marley, Coltrane, the Beatles, and many others. Their music and insights have shaped a generation.

As to my own experience with Sachdev, I was inspired by who he was as a person and his passion for his music and lifestyle. He awakened my desire to become a great musician and during this period of my life that was my path. As I became tuned into the subtleties and complexities of sound, rhythm and life, who I was as a person and musician changed. As I tuned into what was possible in music, I also tuned into what was possible in the rest of my life. Even though today I don’t play as much as I did during that period of my life the gift I was given is with me every day. And that gift is the gift of listening and it’s applicable in every aspect of my being. Musically, as I hear my sound become richer and more dynamic, I experience a deeper sensitivity in the rest of my life. With this expanded consciousness I am able to play a bigger game and at the same time have an increased capacity to encompass it all.

This gift is also the quality that makes someone a great leader. It’s the ability to sense the underlying moods and feelings of the populace that is beyond the meaning of the spoken words. It is the ability to hear what is being said when there is complete silence. It’s the ability to feel the rhythm when everything is still. It’s the ability to embrace the paradox of life.

So where am I today? I am deeply affected on the soul level by the music I listen to. I enjoy Indian music especially when I’m doing yoga. As to other music, I am pretty eclectic and currently I listen to Michael Franti, Richie Havens and Deva Premal and still once in a while to Dylan.

With this expanded capacity to listen and to be present I am able to hear in others that very rare soul quality and style that only a special few can access. The whole music cycle has come full circle for me. My 16 year old daughter, Makaela has that rare quality. She sings , plays the piano, writes songs and is passionate about becoming a modern R&B star. She likes to listen to Alicia Keyes, Christina Aguilera and others. I like to pass on my musical knowledge and insights to her and she occasionally listens. Very occasionally!! Many other musicians join me in being excited about her gift, potential and unique style and currently she is working on a recording project.

I always feel better about myself when I am listening and playing music. And when I dance to the music I feel part of the greater flow of life’s rhythm. And when I feel better about myself and feel in the flow of life rhythms, I have more to contribute to the world. So it is with me and I hope with you.

Journey On

Mark

Mark Susnow has a unique background… A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way..415-453.5016..To find out more about Mark and his services, be sure to visit his website www.inspirepossibility.com.