I find music deeply healing.
Here is some music I enjoy.
MAN IN THE MIRROR
As we seek to clarify a vision of our personal, community, and planetary life on Earth – the good life, higher life, better life, the flourishing life – we need to overcome our self-deception and self-delusion that leads to self-destruction… and then the destruction of relationships, society, and nature...
Self-destruction can come from unhealed trauma and unfulfilled needs that
lead to addictions to sex, money, status, power, alcohol, drugs, food, and other addictions to numb the pain.
Recovery is a life-long process of learning about mindful awareness, self-regulation of our thoughts and feelings, taking care of our feelings and needs each day, and finding healthy, kind, wise friends on our journey through life.
MAN IN THE MIRROR
Originally sung by Michael Jackson
Songwriters: Glen Ballard / Siedah Garrett
Lari Basilio guitar, Greg Phillinganes keyboard & piano
Nathan East bass, Vinnie Colaiuta drums
Sung here by Siedah Garrett
I'm gonna make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I, to be blind pretending not to see their needs?
A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other on the wind ya know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could've been any clearer
If they wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That there are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone?
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed out dream (washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh)
I'm asking him to change his ways (oh)
And no message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh)
I'm asking him to change his ways (oh)
And no message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (better change)
No message could've been any clearer
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
You can't
(Then you close your) close your, your mind
With the man in the mirror, oh yeah
I'm asking him to change his ways (better change)
No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Gonna feel real good now
I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Come on (change)
Just lift yourself
You know
You've got to stop it
Yourself (yeah)
I've got to make that change today
(Man in the mirror) you got to
You got to not let yourself brother
(Yeah) you know
(Make that change) I've got to get that man, that man
You've got to
You've got to move
Come on
Come on
You got to
Stand up, stand up (yeah, make that change)
Stand up
Stand up and lift
Yourself, now
(Man in the mirror)
Gonna make that change come on
(Man in the mirror)
You know it
You know it
You know it
You know
Change
Make that change
WITH ACCEPTANCE, THE DOOR OPENS
It is so important to accept what is... that can't be changed... and treat ourselves with gentleness, compo ssion, forgiveness, acceptance, appreciation, love, and kindness. We can have compassion for ourselves and all the sick and suffering of others and Earth. We can then take care of ourselves, help others, and care for Earth as we can.
David Darling plays cello and sings
BACH VOCALESE
Coleman Barks recites
THE UNDRESSING
Based on a poem by Rumi
Learn the alchemy true human beings know.
The moment you accept what troubles
you've been given, the door will open.
Welcome difficulty, as a familiar comrade.
Joke with torment, brought by the Friend.
Sorrows are the
rags of old clothes and jackets that serve to cover,
and then are taken off.
That undressing,
and the naked body underneath,
is the sweetness that comes after grief.
The hurt you embrace, becomes joy.
Call it to your arms, where it can change.
The silkworm eating leaves, makes a cocoon.
Each of us weaves a chamber of leaves and sticks.
Silkworms begin to truly exist,
as they disappear inside that room.
Without legs, we fly.
When I stop speaking, this poem will close.
And open its silent wings.