Happy Hour

[Christophe]

What? There's only one discussion going on in the Pub?

That's definitely not enough. Barman! Another drink for me and the boys!

In the meantime I'll choose a song from the Jukebox:

www.youtube.video

[Edward theurj Berge]

The picture disappeared from the last one so here it is again.

[Balder]

Actually, I wish you would join -- even (or especially) under a fake identity.  There was some lively discussion on the FB IPS site, too much to copy over here, that I wished you could read.

[Edward theurj Berge]

I just don't support the whole basis of it and can't bring myself to support it by participating. Same with I-I and Integral Life, Naked, etc. And why I can no longer work for a capitalist corporation.

Can you give me an idea of the discussion? And why won't they come over here to discuss stuff?

[Balder]

I understand.  I had invited a discussion of 'integral,' 'postmetaphysical,' and 'spirituality,' alone and in combination, conceptual but also lived / applied.  I'd also asked about the postmetaphysical critique of the metaphysics of presence and whether folks thought Integral thought still involved that, whether there could be a spirituality without it, etc.  I'm not sure why more people don't participate here; most members there are aware this site exists, but I think FB is easier for people since they're already there anyway, checking other news feeds, etc.

[Balder]

[Edward theurj Berge]

Interestingly, if we accept current science that's pretty much how the universe began.

[Balder]

I went to see a concert last night by a group of griot musicians from Mali.  A friend and co-worker of mine had purchased the tickets, but he recently passed away and his family gave the tickets to me (and my wife).  So, going to the concert was, in part, a memorial for my friend.  But it was also really a delight in itself.  He had purchased tickets on the front row, center-stage, so we were right at the feet of the musicians.  Although I like Malian kora music more than ngoni (a kind of primitive guitar, in use since the 13th century), I still found the rhythms and melodies working magic in me:  like a balm for my stiff, deskbound body, like medicine for the soul.  Without even moving (though later I was dancing), I found the sounds (the interlocking rhythms, the elegant and soulful vocals) insinuating themselves into my tissues and opening them up from the inside.  He mentioned several times that one of the songs he was playing was a song from the 17th century, or the 13th century, but the songs also bore modern imprints: big guitar-arm flourishes, a wah-wah pedal.  The songs seemed full and ripe, brimming with the accummulated heart of many centuries of play and improvisation.  As they say in India, Kya baat hai!

[Edward theurj Berge]

Any samples of the group on YouTube?

[Balder]

Yes, here's one:

[Edward theurj Berge]

Yes, it is movement inducing. And some pretty fancy guitar licks.

[Edward theurj Berge]

Facebook is not your friend.

[Balder]

Aho!