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Scott Valentine song of the week:

Week 18 - "Satyagraha"


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“In the application of Satyagraha, I discovered, in the earliest stages, that pursuit of Truth did not admit of violence being inflicted on one's opponent, but that he must be weaned from error by patience and sympathy. For, what appears to be truth to the one may appear to be error to the other. And patience means self-suffering. So the doctrine came to mean vindication of Truth, not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but one's own self.”
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

When I was in high-school, my obsession with The Beatles shifted towards a new form of musical expression that was making its first real impressions in white suburbia: rap/hip hop. This genre was much more than a thumping drumbeat with record scratches and lyrical bravado – it was a look into the heart of an experience shared amongst the new youth of America. The struggles of the generation before through segregation and civil rights left a resounding impression on the children who grew up in the world beneath the inspiring words of promise and hope delivered with impassioned power by the heroes of the times. While much had changed since the Jim Crow days of the earlier part of the century, much still remained the same.

Many minority communities continued to struggle; money was scarce while the influx of drugs created a surge of violence that debilitated families and community ties at increasingly alarming rates. The opportunities for the children of this generation to express frustration at the disillusionment of being left out of “The American Dream” were slim to none. The voices of the streets were being drowned out by a rising cacophony of partying baby boomers too busily reaping the benefits of the economic boom times of the 1980’s to heed their inner city concerns. These frustrations gave rise to a poetic swagger, rich with the experience of life on these challenging city streets and full of pointed observations as to the current and future state of the people who lived there. For some it was an expression of that frustration and resentment while for others, it became the lifeline with which they could pull themselves out from the wreckage to be heard above the din – a new voice for a new generation.

It was precisely this aspect of rap music that drew me in so closely. I grew up with very little in the way of real life drama in my secluded little neighbourhood of Langford. As a teenager, I never faced the challenges of discrimination nor witnessed firsthand the effects of drug-obsessed violence. Yet the raw-emotional delivery and poignant lyrical rhythms with their unpredictable twists introduced me to a whole other world of the human experience. I could feel the heartbreak and inspiration behind those voices and I began to trust what it was they were trying to teach me. And they were trying to teach me.

I realize a lot has changed within the rap/hip hop genre since I was younger but so many great teachers still remain along with a new generation of great artists who help carry forth the torch of change, hope and growth. Their voices must continue to be heard for their frustrations and concerns are genuine and the hope that their insights can offer now connects right to the heart of thousands of communities across the world. Without the words of these cultural leaders whose art and politics transcend borders and racial divides, the hope that we can see on the distant horizon would not be possible. Their real-life stories and cultural criticisms helped to encourage young men and women to question the authority of the old regime whilst, at the same time, sought to help them to understand, accept and respect the beauty of their own unique cultural selves. This cultural transformation, much like the one that preceded the times of King and Kennedy, paved the way for a man named Barack Obama to be given the opportunity to accept the nomination of president of The United States of America.

Without such incredibly articulate artists as Chuck D of Public Enemy or KRS-One of Boogie Down Productions, I couldn’t have been given the opportunity to hear the speeches and soak in the words of great men like Martin Luther King, Jr. Without the piercing lyrical maelstrom of albums like Public Enemy's “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back” or Ice Cube's "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" I might not have been introduced to the challenges and struggles being faced by people of different races and without these influences, I might not have developed such an empathetic spirit. I might not have understood the passion that it takes to fight for love and peace and hope. I might not have been given the voice with which to stand up amongst a crowd and express my own frustration and disillusionment.

Satyagraha is the principle and practice of non-violence created by “Mahatma” Gandhi that has inspired tremendous change in the face of adversity over the past 100 years. The first time I heard the voice of Dr. King (whose campaigns were also heavily influenced by this philosophy) was in a rap song. Although I can’t for the life of me remember now which song it was, the indelible impression that it left upon me cannot be overstated. It was for this reason and because of the great inspiration that it sparked within my own spirit that I decided to include samples of speeches by two of my other favorite teachers of the times. One is the song “Satyagraha” which features quite a lengthy but beautifully expressed impression of the nature of being in a speech entitled “Spiritual Message To The World”, given to the BBC on October 17th, 1931. The second, features author Daniel Quinn and will be featured in next weeks Free Song newsletter.

I wanted my album Seasons to be an expression of all the inspiration that helped me to find my own voice in this world through all of the changes and growth that I had experienced up to that point. By including these great minds and exploring the musical styles and influences of my past, I hoped I might be given the opportunity to return the favour given to me so many years ago. I hoped, and hope still, that some boy or girl out there might find these teachers through one of my songs and be inspired to discover the strength and passion of their own unique voice.

From Here To There,

Scott Valentine

This song and post are part of Scott Valentine's song a week presentation entitled Seasons. Click here for more information.

From PR Newswire - US Newswire

Change is coming. Although a message most recently linked to President-Elect Obama, communities championing change is as old as ancient India. Today - Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the eve of Obama's presidential inauguration - the worlds of spiritual music and politics will meet. "Chant 4 Change," held within sight of the White House at the Church of the Holy City, is both an interfaith gathering of sacred chant and a celebration of a new era of promises to transcend political divisions.

The event features Kirtan, a folk music rooted in ancient Indian tradition sometimes called the "music of yoga." Prominent Kirtan artists, including Grammy-award nominee Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Daphne Tse, and local performers Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, will lead the evening of chanting which is hosted by renowned yoga teacher Shiva Rea.

"There is special excitement about this event," said Gaura Vani, owner of the sacred music website, GauraVani.com. "It represents a historical loop of reform that spans ancient East Indian spirituality, figures such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, President-Elect Obama and the millions of people around the world that participated in his election. The common thread is change, in a deeply spiritual sense."

Brought into mainstream India in the late 15th century by spiritual reformer Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, it was the first known non-violent social reform movement against India's rigid caste system. Kirtan, with its interactive call and response format, played a significant role in community-based reform movements in India and beyond.

In the 20th century, Gandhi praised the power of this practice to bring about social change. Gandhi's influence on MLK's approach to passive resistance is well known, and King's powerful example was very influential on Obama's thinking. For the organizers of "Chant 4 Change," the connection between the four men represents a loop of history and thinking that has found its time again.

"All four men worked to change the status quo, and get back to the essence of community, inclusiveness, truth, justice," Gaura Vani said. "This is the 'tip of an iceberg' of hope and energy and change."

Chant 4 Change takes place on January 19, from 6:30pm to 11:30pm, at the Church of the Holy City located at 1611 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Send inquiries to Jay Clark, press@chant4change.com.

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With Ram Dass, Odetta and Christine Stevens

It was while attending the Seva Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Concert in Oakland, CA on September 27, 2008 that the conversation began. The line-up for the evening included Ruthie Foster and Nina Gerber, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, David Crosby and Graham Nash, Elvis Costello, and Los Lobos. The night was filled with great music by some great artists, some of whom you could say have changed the world as we know it. Perched in our seats in Oakland's Paramount Theater at intermission, we began to discuss whether music does indeed have the power to change the world or if that is just a poetic, though inaccurate, perspective.

Then we remembered what the great folk singer Ms. Odetta said in an earlier interview with RockOm. When asked by Tom Crenshaw if she thought music still has the power to change the world, Odetta replied,

“Not the music, not the music… It’s people who are actually on the firing line that we’re supporting, that are doing the changing of the world. Person by person, there is some power there.”

The people Ms. Odetta were speaking of are the Seva workers and social activists in the field - the doctors, nurses, organizers, planners and support staff who are actually doing the changing. It’s really not about the music… or is it?

So we went to the top with this, asking Ram Dass, renowned author, spiritual teacher and board member of the Seva Foundation about the work of groups like Seva and music's transformational potential.

RockOm: Thinking back 30 years ago to the beginning of the Seva Foundation, what would you say was the driving force behind the founding members' aspirations and has Seva exceeded your expectations as to what the founders hoped to accomplish?

Ram Dass: The original purpose of Seva was two-fold: social action and using it for spiritual growth (Karma Yoga). Though the years the social action (relieving of suffering) has become more of the primary focus.

RockOm: What are your thoughts on how, year after year, music has helped Seva raise such awareness of its purpose and mission?

Ram Dass: Our music events led by Wavy Gravy have brought us money for our projects and publicity for the foundation.

RockOm: Do you believe music has the ability to heal and relieve suffering on a profound level as with other fields of service?

Ram Dass: I believe that the music itself at these events have healed the audiences, and we at Seva, who heal the blind, need music for our healing as well.

All of this from a man who, in his late 70s with a nearly unmatched spiritual resume and nothing left to prove, has released a new album entitled Cosmix - a unique blend of music and spirituality, mixing electronica beats and soundscapes with sound bites and spoken word. There is no doubt that Baba Dass finds in music that great power to bring healing and transform lives.

In our continued effort to explore this topic, we sought out Christine Stevens from UpBeat Drum Circles who, along with the UpBeat team’s Ashti Drum Project, recently returned from their second trip to Iraq. While there they served children with their music through Kurdistan Save the Children, as well as Iraqi women at two shelters in Suliyamania.

“There is only a one-letter difference between performer and reformer,” Christine commented. “Ashti Drum in Iraq has demonstrated that music and drum circles are successful models for transformation through cross-cultural collaboration.”

But what about music healing and serving profoundly, as with other fields of service such as the medical field? Christine went on to clarify,

“First of all, let’s define the term ‘heal.' Healing is restoring into one's life what is missing, becoming whole. Secondly, let’s define the term ‘healer.’ In indigenous history, the healer was both a musician and physician - the shaman. So, at its roots, music has been part of healing for centuries.”

Christine concluded,

“Let’s empower people to take an active role in their own healing and health. In our research, positive biological changes occur when people drum together (www.remo.com/health). Because of this research, we could go into Iraq with an evidence-based program that was accepted by all religious sects for the medicinal purposes of alleviating the suffering - both physical and psychological - of the survivors of the war in Iraq. Do I believe music can be healing? I literally bet my life on it going to Iraq... and it worked!”

So does music “change the world” or does it simply inspire the hands and feet of the change-makers? Like most questions, the answer is less “either-or” and more “both-and.” Or perhaps most likely, the question needs no answer at all. In the end, who really cares? It is all one process and one cycle. Perhaps a better lens in which to view such profound questions is best summed up by what Christine offered with regards to intention:

"As Krishna Das says, ‘If you want enlightenment; feed people.’ Music is food for the soul. Share your music. Let your gifts shine. Go to a shelter and sing. It is time for music to be unleashed as a powerful force of healing and cross-cultural peace-making. Music immediately removes barriers and creates dialogue and connections. Even the Dali Lama recommends music sharing festivals for peace-making in the Middle East.”

May the music-makers continue making their music, those in the field continue their work and each of us do what we can to make a positive impact. And, “person by person,” personally and publicly, alone and together, may we all work to, in Gandhi's words, “be the change we wish to see in the world.”

[By Trevor Harden (Trevor@RockOm.net) and Tom Crenshaw (Tom@RockOm.net)]

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_________________

The Seva Foundation is a non-profit foundation in Berkeley California that was founded back in 1978 by some very compassionate individuals such as Drs. Larry and Girija Brilliant, Dr. Nicole Grasset, spiritual teacher Ram Dass, Berkeley activists Wavy Gravy and Jahanara Romney. The Seva Foundation currently is working to:

• “Prevent blindness and restore sight in India, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Tanzania and Guatemala.”
• “Help indigenous communities in Guatemala and Mexico develop their capacity to meet basic needs and create solutions to poverty and injustice.”
• “Support Native American projects across the U.S. in the areas of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation.”

To find out more or to donate a one-time or reoccurring tax-deductible donation, please visit www.seva.org.

Info about Odetta: www.mc-records.com/html/odetta_landing.html

Info about Ram Dass and his album: www.ramdass.org

Info about Christine Stevens: www.upbeatdrumcircles.com

[Edited by Andrew Hoogheem]