Discover the secrets of pure perception

[Graham English]

Let's test your level of perception, shall we?

 

With your left hand, tap eighth notes and with your right hand,

tap triplets. Now switch. Keep switching. Do you notice how your

focus might switch from one hand to the next as you switch

patterns? Try this exercise again. But this time, make your

awareness panoramic. Take in more of what's around you. As you

notice the setting in which you are creating as the patterns

switch from hand to hand, you might be aware of how your focus

doesn't switch from hand to hand but sees "the big picture." Try

this exercise now.

 

What did this illustrate? In the beginning, if you focused on

one hand more than the other, then your hearing was incomplete.

But as you widened your focus, your level of perception

expanded.

 

Instead of fully experiencing sound, we often find a barrier

between us and the music. Sometimes it's a critical voice and

sometimes it's the humming in our head, but this separation of

creator and art often occurs before we've actually finished

creating.

 

To attain pure perception, you must transcend the act of

creating and witness both the creator and the created. This is

"the zone" where everything becomes effortless.

 

Here or 3 listening techniques to help develop pure perception.

 

-Sing notes and lines- The voice was the first instrument and

has major psychological importance. It's like a mirror. If you

sing and hate the sound of your voice, then obviously there are

some insecurities to deal with. But when you accept yourself, it

can feel good to sing. And most everyone has some insecurities

to deal with when they begin singing.

 

But here's the benefit:

When you transcend your own internal critic, you remove a filter

that separates you and perception.

 

You can also apply the same technique to an instrument. Just

become aware of the neurotic part of you that likes to give its

opinion.

 

My advice? Just do it

 

-Pay attention to the vibrations- As you sing or play, notice

how the musical vibrations affect your body. Being aware of your

body while playing is another way to actually transcend the

body.

 

Think about it. When you notice your own body, you aren't

exclusively identified with the body. It's like being at the top

of a mountain and being able to notice more of the landscape

below. From this vantage point, your focus widens and thus your

awareness widens.

 

This may sound metaphysical, but it's very practical. When you

become aware of both body and mind, you transcend both body and

mind. Thus you become more integrated and less fragmented. The

more integrated you are, the clearer your perception.

 

Focus on how sound affects the space around you- This technique

is similar to the above listening techniques. But this time the

focus is without instead of within.

 

-Listen for the rooms natural reverb and sympathetic vibrations.

Even become aware of the sounds outside of the room your are in.

 

Pretty soon you'll be so enlightened that you'll dissolve into

a pretty new age rainbow

 

I think you'll find these listening exercises to be very

valuable. Your level of perception will increase and your

appreciation for the moment will fall right into place. But

the real benefit to pure perception is pure communication.

 

Enjoy!

 

Graham English

[Rick K.]

I tried and tried...I can't do that tapping thing, Graham.

 

Rick

[george costanza]

Ladies & gentlemen, may I present to you the next Freff Connor!

 

As much as I might agree with the basic premise, the presentation is, I think, a bit twee.

Insights like these have been around for 1000s of years & are available through every quasi-yogi renting a hall for students.

I've been there since the 10th grade...where you been?

[Stephen Fortner]

Graham,

 

Are you familiar with the Chinese Taoist philosopher Chuang Tzu? He talked about "skill transcendence," the notion that the highest level of skill at something (he used the example of a butcher carving up a side of meat, of all things) involves losing the artificial distinction between the self andf the action. Very similar to our modern-day idea of "being in the zone." We've all had those moments... a solo, say, when it seems we're not thinking about what we're doing, but simply doing it, and the solo just COOKS.

 

Another example is the state Neo gets into by the end of "The Matrix"... his colleagues are very skilled at moving and defying "physical" laws within the Matrix, but he goes beyond skilled. So I would add... when things just aren't flowing, remind yourself that there is no spoon.

[Graham English]

Steve, I like The Matrix reference.

 

"Skill transcedence" is often overlooked. Many people understand that there is a "zone" but don't know how to get there. The Zone has been idealized but it's rare to actually find steps to get you there.

 

I've been using hypnosis to condition the zone with great results. What's really important is to actually practice getting into the zone- not just wishing.

 

Action.

 

I hope that the above exercises become stepping stones to increased perception and finding The Zone.

[RudyS]

I have a question to Graham. When you reach "the zone" do you still know what you are doing or does it all go by itself?

[Graham English]

In my experience, I still know what I'm doing but it's more of a "witnessing."

 

It's when I realize that I'm in the zone and say to myself, "Wow, I'm in the zone" that it's lost.

 

By identifying with a smaller part of the self, like thoughts or emotions, you lose the awareness of the entire self. So by opening up your experience to include more, you become more integrated and more of a witness to the experience.

 

Hope that helps