Do You Dream Music?
Posted by Robin Easton
Woman – Dreams – Music:
Hi my dear friends, I apologize for being out of the loop lately. Work has kept me away from blogging and commenting. Your beautiful endearing comments have been especially precious to me during this stressful time. This week I hope to get around to visiting you all and have missed doing so. I may be a bit slow as I’m still going full bore for the next three weeks, running on little sleep. But I want you know that I have missed you and think of you often. I feel you with me and am deeply grateful.
This week I have posted a portion of video about my music. Many of you already know I can’t read or write music, but dream it at night, as well as often hear it in my head while going about my day. It is all original music that just overcomes me and demands to be expressed. I’m compelled to sit at the piano and play what is moving through me. I’ve no idea what keys I’m playing; my fingers just seem to have a life of their own.
When I was four years old my mother sent me to take piano lessons, but after the first lesson the teacher told my mother that I had no “aptitude” for it. Then my mother tried again when I was eleven and on the first lesson I refused to play and the teacher became angry, called my mother and said (through clenched teeth Lol), “Do…NOT…send…Robin…back.” (With the word EVER silently attached to the warning. Lol! ) However, I must have had a good ear because when I reached high school I’d occasionally play something on the piano that I’d heard on the radio. I was proficient enough that friends thought I could read music, but that only happened a handful of times, and there ended my piano playing days until I started to dream music in the Australian Rainforest.
Music is one of the truly great gifts in my life. It came to me after much deep personal growth and has stayed with me every since. I still don’t read or write music and have had no training (and still have no desire to), yet I play piano or flute almost every day. I believe that music isn’t something separate from us; it’s who we are. We must be aware of a culture (especially USA) that tends to “can” music and consign it to stereo-types, professionals, “famous” people (chuckles) and those with music degrees. It is not to negate these people in anyway; they have worked hard to achieve their dreams. It is only that we be aware of how we perceive our connection to music. Our ancestors were creating music and singing long before there were any record companies, sheet music, music schools or degrees. So I encourage you to find your own music even if you start by singing in the shower. What are your experiences with music?
Love,
Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
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41 Comments so far...
Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Says:
9 May 2009 at 10:01 pm.
Wow! That was wonderful, I really don’t know what else to say. Thank you for sharing yourself Robin. I am truly blown away.
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Daily News About Music : A few links about Music - Saturday, 09 May 2009 21:57 Says:
9 May 2009 at 10:07 pm.
[...] Naked In Eden Blog – Robin Easton Do You Dream Music? [...]
Lilly Says:
10 May 2009 at 3:31 am.
You have a gift and you are a gift. I am glad that teacher said No when you were four as your natural talent may have been hijacked to become something else. The Australian Rainforest is a magical place. Take Care of yourself and hope the end is near ( of the frantic times I mean). Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. We know you are busy so do not worry about blog surfing!! Cannot wait for that book!
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Robin Easton Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Dear Lilly, Thank you for your compassionate and kind words. Also, I feel the same about your insight re: the teacher, in fact both teachers) turning me away. It was a good thing as my soul obviously had dictates of its own that were far more powerful. And yes, your Australian Rainforest is a vastly magical place, so ancient…from the time of the dinos. I couldn’t remember if you said you had been there or not, to the Daintree area of QLD. If you haven’t you must sometime go all the way out to Cape Tribulation. It is beauty beyond words.
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mary( mezmar ) Says:
10 May 2009 at 7:11 am.
Thank you for your blog, I too am from a family of six children, you were truly blessed to have had such a father that took the time to show you what life was about, our father was not interested, in anything but (alcohol), sorry not a good speller (booze) LOL. He was my father; I did love him. He died in 2007. I have always liked the (wilderness)(BUSH), though I never get to go their. I care for my niece who is mentally disabled she is 25, mentally 3. Great music, loved it, allways loved music but art even more, wished I could draw as good as I liked it, but I do not stop trying, lol.
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Robin Easton Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Dear Mary, it is a huge gift that you give your niece and I’m sure it takes a lot of effort and commitment on your part. I admire you for that. And I’m also sure it makes her life far richer because you are there for her. Also, thank YOU for visiting. I am very touched by your honest and heartfelt comment. Never worry about spelling. It’s unimportant. I attach no meaning to it and instead value the content and heart in your sharing. I hope there comes a time in your life when you will have more time to be in the bush and be with nature. I can tell that you like it. I enjoyed your sharing.
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Liara Covert Says:
10 May 2009 at 8:51 am.
You express love and soulful enthusiasm for who you are and all you feel. It is a joy to visit this blog. Readers share your quest to explore soul-level questions, to move beyond judgment. Each person basks in the glory of repeated opporunities. They expand insight and shift consciousness to experience the energy vibration of timeless wisdom and compassion.
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Robin Easton Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Dear Liara, Thank you, dear soul, for your kind words and wisdom. I like what you wrote about soul here. I just love living from soul, with soul and connecting on the soul level with the world around me. I find people’s souls fascinating and enriching. And we are all so blessed because if we don’t see or understand something the first time around we have, like you said, “repeated opportunities”. I love that about life. I even love how life can bring us to our knees — if needed — to help us awaken to self and the astonishing world around us.
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David Says:
10 May 2009 at 8:56 am.
Very nice. I was writing something about this in a post last night (Saturday evening) and then this morning I came here and read this wonderful post. Truly we are on the same wavelength sometimes. 
Robin Replies
Dear David, I read your post and was so excited to see that we are on the same wave length. Even though I knew this long ago, it was still so good to absorb how YOU expressed this. You are gifted. And you took only a few lines to express what took me a whole video. Lol!! Thank you my friend. Readers you can see David’s site here: http://davidnotes.com
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Chrissy Says:
10 May 2009 at 10:23 am.
Your post made me smile, you have a real talent
I am completely tuneless in every way………..my singing voice is terrible so I sing loudly in the car. I cannot play an instrument to save my life
But, I very much appreciate other people’s music
Robin Replies
Dear Chrissy, I have taught both music and voice (believe it or not — more on that another time) …BUT when I heard you on the “Deer Keeper” video I thought you had such a lovely voice, and knew that you would have lovely singing voice. Often people don’t really know that they do or shyness can make them think that they don’t have a good voice or no one has ever showed them how to use their voice. Re: instruments, you could always try a drum of some kind. Also, there are many kinds of singing. In some cultures (especially some indigenous cultures) the way people grow up learning to sing we might not in western cultures perceive their voices as “good” voices as they are not like what we grow up hearing on the radio. I just know this, you have talent ooozing out your ears. Lol!!
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Hilary Says:
10 May 2009 at 12:46 pm.
Hi Robin .. you wrote a wonderful post to Lance at the Jungle of Life blog .. and I’m so sorry to hear of your troubles .. I have some idea – but not fully .. as my mother 89 has had 3 major strokes, nil by mouth and is fed via a PEG, – however I, particularly, am so lucky .. as my Ma does not forget .. she’s not completely with it .. but at least, when she’s awake enough we have a wonderful time .. my blog tells stories .. that she will like and does like ..
I just stay positive .. I just don’t know if it will help you at all .. possibly not .. but I’d love to stay in touch .. and get in contact ..
With lots of thoughts and blessings for you both ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Robin Replies
Dear Hilary, What a generous heart you have. Thank you so much for sharing about your own Mom. You certainly would know what it is like. I agree that staying positive makes all the difference in the world. My mom has been going through this for many years and in some ways it’s hard as it drags on and in other ways it’s allowed both our souls to adjust. These days I am able to see a much bigger picture of life and our connection to each other. I truly believe that she has visited me in my dreams at night to let me know she is okay, safe and loved. And to let me know that I should not worry, that in the most important ways nothing between us had changed. I think she wanted me to KNOW without doubt that she is still be with me and can still hear me. —You have a sensitive and compassionate heart. Thank you for that.
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ZuzannaM Says:
10 May 2009 at 2:59 pm.
Love for Music
For you and me music is joy
Love for life expressed in tone
The music is peace, love and life
Escape from a noise of the town
Some people born with the rhythm
Some to strife to learn the beat
Taking lessons acquiring the craft,
A sound that speaks to sensitive heart
Music is joy and a great sound
Music is beauty found in the heart
Music on time, a tune of a ground
Music is love and beauty around.
May 10 – 2009-05-10
By Zuzanna Musial
Robin Replies
Dear Zuzanna, what a lovely poem. I am so honored that you wrote and shared this with me and others. It touches me deeply. Your heart is bursting with love and creates such healing sound/energy every where you go. I love the line in your poem that goes: ” Music is beauty found in the heart”. This is so so true. Thank you for taking the time to express this so beautifully and lovingly. I know my readers will relate to it. You are a joy and have touched my heart many many times! You have so much vitality that I bet your garden grows abundantly. Thank you dear.
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Stephen - Rat Race Trap Says:
10 May 2009 at 3:00 pm.
Sweet, beautiful Robin! You’re amazing and your passion for a sense aware life inspires me. Have you ever heard of synesthesia? It’s a mixing of the senses that come from deep within the brain and I know at least one scientists who believes it can be learned.
I am so jealous of your experience in the forest. If my wife wouldn’t divorce me I would go!
P.S. I recommended people follow you on twitter. I hope you don’t mind I sent them your way.
Robin Replies
Dear Stephen, Thank you SO much for your very kind, spontaneous and fascinating comment. I have not heard of synesthesia. But I am sure going to Google it. It sounds fascinating. I believe anything can be learned. It’s just a matter of finding the key to our unique method of learning. —I also am touched by your hunger to experience life fully. I’ve felt it in many of your posts. I do know that my time in the rainforest was a HUUUUGE gift and I was blessed that my parents gave me enough of a foundation in regard to loving nature that I was able to really make use of my time in the forest. Although my experiences and time in the rainforest changed my entire physiology, I do believe that we can seek out openings or portals that will lead us where we hunger to go. For some people this portal might be extreme pain that would become their guide to deeper insight, compassion and connection with all life, others facing an addiction might be the portal, others illness, others loss of a child or spouse, others a near death accident or situation, etc. Others it might simply be making positive, bold and brave life changes. I think when we move toward and look at what frightens us, when we move toward and look at addictive behavior, when we commit to being 100% honest with ourselves right down to what we eat, whether we get exercise or not, whether we watch too much TV or computer, What we say or don’t say, how we treat ourselves and others, etc. we begin to move into the land of the gods. Life becomes real. Innately we know more about ourselves than we may think. We can sometimes forget our truth, but if we start being really honest with ourselves and listening to and acting upon our heart’s dictates, we will walk into the jungles of our own souls where all things can become known to us. It is not always an easy path to “actively” live Life in the trenches, with great honesty, courage and the initiative to act (sometimes blindly until we better know ourselves). But for me there is no other way. The rewards are endless. We fall deeply, passionately, desperately in love with Life.
Wow you really inspired me. Thank you SO much. I hope some of this is clear. A lot of late nights lately so forgive if it’s a bit spotty. And thank you my good friend for the twitter. You have some wonderful friends. I was so excited and moved that you did that. —-Also I have a few friends who go solo into nature every once in awhile. No cell phones, books, etc. Just one human in relationship with the wild. It can really help keep us connected to who we really are. Follow your hunger; it is your soul’s voice. It will lead you where you need to go…back to yourself.
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Stephen - Rat Race Trap Says:
10 May 2009 at 3:05 pm.
Oh, I forgot to mention something. I heard you say something about billions of atoms in your body. There are at least 50 trillion cells in the human body. It has been estimated that there are about 7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms in your body. That’s more atoms in your body than stars in the universe. Pretty amazing huh?
Robin Replies
This IS amazing!! Okay, I have to reassess this. I would now say the are a gazillion bazillion atoms in my body!! LOL. I know a little girl who used to say that. Lol! I love this line: “…more atoms in your body than stars in the universe.” Isn’t that magical. I really like looking at things in that way. I find it very beautiful. Thank you.
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Lance Says:
10 May 2009 at 4:34 pm.
Hi Robin,
What a wonderful video to share! “We hear what we already are” – Robin, that is so beautifully said. And it jumped out at me as I was listening – what is it deep within our souls, that sings? We all have it, we don’t all find it though. It’s taken me a while to get there, to really listen to what is already there – and now that I am, I do feel so much more connected to others – and it’s others far and wide. Like you. Robin, I am drawn here because I feel a very deep connection, listening to your voice, reading your words, hearing your music – it all touches me deep within my soul.
Your music is such a wonderful gift – and that you do this by just dreaming it and then playing – how truly you are in touch with your soul. And again, I feel as though I can relate. While I haven’t dreamed music, I regularly sit down and just begin to let my fingers play the piano – and really letting the keys speak to me, and move me in some direction. I used to say I had no musical bone in my body. I don’t say that anymore. I’m hard-pressed to read any music, yet music touches me deeply. Especially as I sit before the piano, and let sounds turn into music to my ears.
So, Robin, thank you again for sharing this – and for a fresh reminder that anything is possible, what is within each of us is unique and beautiful, and we just have to “hear what we already are”…
Robin Replies
Dear Lance, this is an utterly magical comment. I experienced great joy and excitement that you sit at the piano and let the sounds speak to you. That is exactly one of the techniques I used when teaching people to find their own music. You have simply decided to dispel the limiting conditioning of “I don’t have musical bone in my body” and made up your mind that you ARE a whole musical body. I am SO excited and joyous to hear this. Simply deciding this, like you did, shifts our whole being and changes what will come to us, what we hear, feel and experience. You have removed the lid, which then allows the energy to flow. INCREDIBLE! I am So proud of you. I say, go for it. Choose to be, hear and see what you already are, Lance, because every time you do this you change the whole world. The change or lifting of the lid, affects me, your family, your friends, everyone you touch and beyond. It affects the entire universe. Thank you, my dear friend, for sharing this. And thank you from my heart for your kind earnest words and encouragement. —Oh I forgot. I wanted to say that I LOVE these words of yours: “I do feel so much more connected to others – and it’s others far and wide.” Wow! That is profound and I know exactly what you mean. This feeling of connection to all life, even far and wide is a powerful experience. From these roots we fall in love with Life and see all life as part of us, as US. Bless you.
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Tammy/Cricket Says:
10 May 2009 at 6:34 pm.
Hey Robin,
You are so connected with life and your being. I will not call you talented, smart, witty, sensitive or anything other descriptive word because you are not just one description. You are truly one living being that feels it all the way to her finger tips.
I love you because you are you.
Robin Replies
Dear Tammy, Your spirit is so lovely. I resonate with what you said about me not being just one description. I just wrote about this the other day and will post it at some point. But you are so right in that I am like the weather in Maine where it is constantly changing and is often many things at once, all things at once. And yet they all coexist in harmony. I love living like that. Like my husband says, “full on”. Life itself is like that, all things. It is not a static being. Life is forever changing and even contradicting itself. There are no rules. It is only us humans who want surety, control and definites. But Life is a wild evolving menagerie filled with every possibility and potentiality. I see this same bursting vitality in you. You have never lost your innocence, your curiosity, your wild zest for Life. It’s why Dylan thinks we’re both nuts (Lol) and yet I suspect he secretly admires us for it. Yes, I love you because you are YOU. Amazing isn’t it?!!
Tammy
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Walt Says:
10 May 2009 at 8:50 pm.
I used to dream of music often, at one time I could read and write a little, but that was over 30 years ago. Once, I even once dreamed I was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and years later I found myself in his former home at Saltzburg, Austria. It was not the same as my dream there were quite a bit of changes, and more than a few things were missing. Funny, there was one tune that I dreamed I thought was my very own, so I crudely wrote the music down. My mistake was, I never shared it with anyone, and for a while, I was proud of my little secret until one night on TV. Doc Severinsen played my song and broke my heart. I never wrote down another tune after that. It may not be my song, but it’s one that I will always remember with a smile. 
Robin Replies
Dear Walt, this is an absolutely incredible story. I am stunned and yet totally believe this. You have lived such a fascinating life. I will sometime share an experience I had with my music that touches on this same theme. Maybe I’ll do a video about it. More fun to tell it orally than writing it. It’s funny because I can see music all around you. I would have guessed that you had a whole history with music and can easily see you dreaming music. There is just something about you that is dancing and generating a lot of music. You know it is NEVER too late to do another song. I KNOW that you have them in you. I can plain and simple see it in you.
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Randy - Peaceful Walks Says:
11 May 2009 at 6:04 am.
Very eloquently expressed, both verbally and musically.
I read once about the Australian Aborigines’ concept of land-based “song lines”. Apparently they believe the earth was “sung into being” and the land is criss-crossed with meridians of music that continue to sustain the earth. These song lines are also how they navigate when they travel, they know where they are and where to go by “listening to the music”. I don’t remember the details of this belief, but I found the concept fascinating. And, I am confident they didn’t acquire this belief by studying at Julliard!
Robin Replies
Oh Randy! This is excellent. Yes, I too know this book and read it several years ago. I understand and relate to this whole experience of hearing the song lines. In fact I was deeply moved when I realized their were other people in the world who heard the songs. And even used them to navigate by. I believe once the song of an area is heard it is imprinted on the body, the soul even, and is never forgotten. Just as when we hear a song on the radio years later, or smell a scent years later and it immediately takes us back to that time of our lives when we first heard that song or smelled that scent. As you know SO well, we are not only connected to the land but we ARE the land. When we are awake to this connection we remember our roots and ancient songs. I also know that nature will imprint us whether we are aware of her doing so or not. I have seen people who had no awareness of nature suddenly awaken after years of living in disconnection. For example: when they hear the haunting call of a white throated sparrow or the babble of a creek or the wind through pine trees they suddenly remember that sound from when they were 4 years old and lived with their grandmother for a year in the woods, etc, etc. We ARE imprinted by the world around us. And Nature’s imprint is beyond priceless…and completely unforgettable. Thank you Randy for this wonderful reminder. I, and so many others, have taken GREAT joy and peace in your ability to bring nature back into our lives. It is vital work you are doing. I see the response to it when I share your site with other people. Although some or even many may have forgotten their hunger and ancient connection to the wild, the hunger never goes…we are all innately hungry for that which birthed us. Thank you SO much, Randy
NOTE TO READERS:
Randy has the most astounding site titled PEACEFUL WALKS at http://www.peacefulwalks.com/ It is filled with pristine nature videos and sounds that are the purest I’ve seen/heard anywhere. He has really captured the innocence and raw beauty of the wild. You will be in heaven listening to the world he sees and loves.
[Reply]
Julie Says:
11 May 2009 at 10:09 am.
Oh, Robin, your passionate expressions of words, body language, music… Love of life is just flowing from you in every possible way! Beautiful, just beautiful, how you captured it in your tale and playing. Thank you SO much for sharing…
I, too, was sent to piano lessons, and then clarinet, and neither went well. Instead of playing, I prefer listening…and the music I “hear” is the songs of colors that surround me, the wildlife in my yard, the music of the breeze as it passes through the trees. I hear music everywhere. I’m not being poetic when I say that; it all really does feel like the most beautiful music to me. Often, I’ve wondered if the sound of music I feel from Nature is the joy of life the classic composers tried to express. It’s like a sound that’s transmuted into a resonating feeling all throughout me and my surroundings… Music from the radio just doesn’t hold a candle to it, and so I seldom choose to listen. Most of it really does seem like noise. Yours is MUCH closer to what I feel. Again, just lovely.
Robin Replies
Dear Julie, Oh! You, my friend, are LIVING in a bath of music. I see that. (Robin chuckles) You merge so fully with the world around you, like I was saying on your blog yesterday. You are not only aware of this wild world around you but you are aware that it is imprinting itself upon you with it’s infinite beauty. Somehow you made it to your age without putting up a wall between you and nature. This is how children are. Their is no barrier between them and the spirits of the wild. Given the opportunity they innately BREATHE IN the wild the same way wildlife itself does. They are connected to nature like the wild geese that follow their song lines north and south each spring and fall. You are like that Julie. You soak up the shifting sun, evenings long shadows, songs of morning birds and rustle of grass as if your life depended on it. It does. We all do. Thank you my dear friend for inspiring me and radiating your great passion into my life and the world. It is seen and SO appreciated. Never doubt it.
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Walt Says:
11 May 2009 at 10:44 am.
I paid good money and had to put up with a professors bad jokes for a whole semester to learn this, and here it is on the Internet for free. And Robin you do not have to post this; it bothers me at times to think that I clutter up your blog with trivial information.
As this much too long to post I will only give you the first part. You can edit it more if you like, or fallow the links to the page if you desire to read the whole primer.
Math and Music: A Primer
If all art aspires to the condition of music, all the sciences aspire to the condition of mathematics. – George Santanaya
Music is the pleasure of the human soul experiences from counting without being aware that it is counting. – Gottfried Leibniz
Mathematics and music have a strange connection. Music is the only art form, where the form and the medium are the same. Mathematics is the only science where the methods and the subject are the same. Mathematics is the study of mathematics using mathematics. Music is only created and experienced as music. Thus, there is a natural connection between mathematics and music: Both are experienced as pure objects of the brain, and both have meaning outside of the brain only by artificial connections.
Back when I was teaching High School Algebra, I had a student who was gifted in music, but not so gifted with mathematics. “If you really want to understand music,” I told him, “you really must understand math, and the connection between them.” I then presented him with some of the following. A brief lesson on the connection between music and mathematics.
“Give me an A” = 440hz
Some basics: Music is made up of sound. Sound is made from repeating sound waves. The musical pitch of each note has a corresponding frequency measured physically in hz (hertz) or cycles per second. There are some important mathematical relationships between the notes played in music and the frequency of those notes.
There are two constant values in music. The first is that the A note that is 9 white keys below middle C has a frequency of 440 hz. The second constant value in music is the 12th root of 2 (1.0594630943593…) which is the ratio of the frequencies between half tones. So, the frequency of A# is 440 × 1.059… = 466.16376… The frequency of B is 466.1637 × 1.0594 = 493.8833. After you do this 12 times you end up with A an octave higher which equals 880hz. Doubling the frequency creates a note an octave higher. Reversely, dividing the frequency in half creates a note an octave lower.
Welcome to the Math Mistakes Website
http://www.mathmistakes.com
YOU are the SONG:
“The price God exacts for this Gift of Song is that we become what we sing.” Pythagoras
The Pythagoreans stated a simple truth… YOU are a Song. You are a Harmonic Being. It is the basis of the Orphic Mysteries. When you entered an Asclepiad (Temple of Healing) in Ancient Greece the first thing that happened is that your important dates were analysed, and musicians would convert the cycles in these to Harmonics, then play the music of YOU. This would be the trigger that opened to door for healing to occur.
This is not my show; I better stop before I find myself in deep doo doo!
Robin Replies
Dear Wonderful Walter, this is fabulous. Don’t worry about length. I think there are many people who will find this fascinating. I know I do. I really appreciate you taking the time to post this. I loved this thing by Pythagoras. I have read some of this as someone showed it to me a long time ago when I told them that I often saw sound waves and could hear music when “supposedly” there was no music. I love this whole premise of healing as well. Just fabulous and holistic. They use some of these techniques with autistic children and sound. Simply fascinating to look at ourselves as SONGS!! So there is the Robin Song, the Walter Song, the Julie Song, the Liara Song and so forth. We are energetic beings singing our way through Life, even if we never open our mouths. We are singing our songs to each other and the world around us. You are a dear friend to share this. Isn’t it juicily fascinating?!!
[Reply]
Lerin Says:
11 May 2009 at 5:08 pm.
Robin ~
Each and every day you become more…Lovely
Thank You for Your Laughter and Your Song!
With My Love, Lerin
Robin Replies
Hey Luv, So good to see you here. I’ve been praying for you, that you are kept safe during the huge fires. I was SO relieved when you said the wind had died down. So so so glad. Also I was glad to hear that you were all packed and ready to evacuate it necessary. I was proud of you as it could not have been easy. I’ve loved your emails and cards. They have brightened my long long work days. And thank you for this very dear comment here. I am of course touched and encouraged by your words. And just sooooooo glad you are safe. Sending love to you and Rina. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Robb Says:
12 May 2009 at 1:02 am.
Kia ora Robin,
It has been hard for me to even write about Music, I hold it Sacred and Close to me. At one time in my life things were so black and it seemed the only way I could communicate was by Listening to music and then saying “Listen to this song, I am sad, (happy, angry, melancholy, wanting to cry, laugh), and the only way I could express that was through the music of others. You said in your video “music is passion”, and how apt, how honest. It was the only passion I could feel for so long. Then one day I went for a paddle in my canoe upon a quiet lake, and I could hear Music there, the most beautiful music I ever heard, the sound of the lake, the gentle lap of a wave against my canoe, the loons in the distance, my own breathing becoming one with this Thing happening to me, it was so clear, so vivid. I felt alive, and I found a passion in the Wilds. Through that I found Tara and new music, someone who insisted I be Present, yet loved me enough to let me roam, someone who gave the music of my own tears and laughter and that of my beautiful boys, and the Music of the Ruahines. I still hear that music in the wild and I always try to honour it.
When I was little my grandfather used to play us songs on his harmonica. I loved it and would just sit on his knee and watch him play. A few years ago some friends came from the states to tramp in the mountains and brought me a gift – a harmonica! I am too shy to play, or try to play in front of people, but out in those mountains, from time to time, I dig in my back pack and pull it out by a river, or resting high on a ridge – on a fine day!- and I just play it. I am not quite sure what it sounds like, but it seems to blend in with the music of the mountains, and I feel my grandfathers hand upon me. Kia ora Robin, thank you for bringing this out in me. Kia kaha Wild Sister.
Aroha,
Robb
Robin Replies
Dear Robb, What a beautifully poignant story of the way you used music to share with others your deepest feelings. I find this very touching and can easily see how this would work really well. I also am honored by your honest sharing here. I taught music, voice and sound at one point and one of the things I learned about people was that when they couldn’t express how they felt through words they could express how they felt through making sound. And the opposite applied. Where words did not go in, sound or music went directly to the heart and allowed people to start to open up. Music transcends all boundaries. I find that so lovely. The Universal Language is not only Love, but music. Which of course can instill Love. — Re: you harmonica. It was the first instrument I learned to play. Like you I was given one when I lived in Australia and knew nothing about it but I would wail away when I was alone and found it very comforting. I still have one, although not proficient by a long shot, I like to play it sometimes. Your sharing here reflects a deep connection to music and soul. But then I knew that about you already my Wild Brother. Thank you and Kia kaka. Aroha, Rob
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tikno Says:
12 May 2009 at 1:02 am.
Thank you for sharing about yourself, Robin. Like music does not mean have to playing piano.
Robin Replies
Hello Tikno, Welcome and thank you for sharing. Yes, I like that also. Music does not mean that we have to play piano or any other instrument. We were singing and like the birds long before we had pianos. It’s good to remember that. Music is free and who we are.
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WD Favour Says:
12 May 2009 at 2:09 am.
I like this part of what you wrote in this article, “Our ancestors were creating music and singing long before there were any record companies, sheet music, music schools or degrees.” Music is a part of all of us. We breathe and live it, even if we are not aware of this. I got my first musical equipment before I was 9 – a baby grand…and I started playing instantly. I continue to play the piano today without having attended any formal music school.
Once I was playing at a Christian event, afterwards, someone approached me and asked, “I like your chords. Can you give me a copy of your chord sheets?” I stared at him, because then, I didn’t have any idea as to what he was talking about! He was shocked. He told me you are playing some of the most complex contemporary jazz chords and you don’t even know what a chord is?
I understand your experience, Robin. I simply play what I hear in my ear…i just make the sounds that my fingers produce match those sounds. The experts at music can make the note combinations and teach in their music classes… I care more about the beauty of the melodies.
Robin Replies
Dear WD, SO wonderful to see you here. Been thinking of you. I love this story because it so resonates with my own. I too have been told that my chord combination and key changes are often complex and yet I have no idea what I am doing. Like you I only play what I’ve dreamed or the music that simply passed through my heart and rises up begging to be expressed. You are always so true to your heart and I like that. Always be so, because who you are is very innately wise and filled with richness. That magic in you doesn’t just come out in your music; it comes out in everything you touch. That’s because you think, feel and live from your heart.
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Walt Says:
12 May 2009 at 10:45 am.
“It is love at first sight, is it not? No?
Do not come with me to the Casbah!
We shall make beautiful music together right here!”
For Scent-imental Reasons 1949
Robin Replies
Oh Walt!! This is GREAT. It made me laugh and smile! I’d forgotten these lines but recognized them the moment I read them Simply delightful!! Thank you friend.
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Mig Says:
13 May 2009 at 2:31 am.
“There’s music in the sighing of a reed;
There’s music in the gushing of a rill;
There’s music in all things, if men had ears:
Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.”
Robin Replies
My Dear Friend “Mig”, What a treat to see you hear. I am touched. — I simply adore this poem you wrote. I don’t recognize it. Is it yours? Regardless, I love it. It EXACTLY describes what I was talking about and how I experience the world. It’s one that I will print out for my music room. Thank you dear for sharing this. It’s like you; so very lovely.
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Kit Says:
13 May 2009 at 9:36 am.
Billy dreams music sometimes, and records it later. He used to keep a tape recorder by the bed so he could wake up in the middle of the night and quickly record what he’d dreamed. Like you, he cannot read music and is mostly-self-taught.
Unfortunately I seem to have an inability to discern and replicate differences in pitch, which makes singing or playing an instrument pretty difficult! LOL. I still sing to my kids a lot, and sing along with the radio, but any listeners just have to give me points for enthusiasm and leave it at that. Those aren’t the only ways to express myself through music, though- I can experience the depths of musical connection which you describe through dance. Dancing allows me to tap those harmonic vibrations of the universe, and add my own movements to the great celestial choreography.
Robin Replies
Oh Kit, this made me laugh…your enthusiasm over music. And then when I read about your dancing I thought, “YES!” I have seen this in you whenever you even mention dancing you become soooo passionate. I am so glad that you have this passion for dance. You also are that way with your kids, your writing, nature and your photography. Much talent and passion. I was also tickled to hear that Billy is a dreamer of music. I laughed over that, because I remember that days I kept a tape recorder by my bed as well. I think that is SO COOL that he dreams music and it is GREAT music that he creates. Very talented. You both are in so many ways. That’s wonderful!!!
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Miguel de Luis Says:
13 May 2009 at 9:43 am.
I used to sing a lot, but after a period in which I had to sing in chair -because of lack of better volunteers- I discovered how bad I was. So I’ve stopped. Even when the whole congregation sings I just move my mouth.
Robin Replies
Dear Miguel, I just adore this comment because it is funny and honest. You might like to know that I used to perform at a little church back east and as I came to know the people better several of them told me they just moved their lips because they felt their voices were not good. A couple of them even “sang” in the choir and never told anyone but ME that they only moved their lips. There was one guy who wasn’t in the choir and he only moved his lips and I would look out at him sometimes and have to NOT laughed because he would tip back his head and open his mouth wide and put all this expression into his face like he was vigorously singing away….only he wasn’t. And I thought that was so so funny. And he would look at me and wink because he KNEW that I thought it was funny.
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Liara Covert Says:
13 May 2009 at 12:37 pm.
Robin, each time one listens to this heartfelt recording, the message and enthusiasm expand.
Robin Replies
Dear sweet Liara, You are so kind. This little note touched me. I really like your use of the word “expand” because that is exactly how I felt as I was doing the video. I had no plan or “script” I simply turned on the camera one day and lost myself to the feeling inside me. It tends to be the way I do a lot of things. I lose myself to them and “become” the feeling. —Liara, thank you for your continued encouragement and you generous and wise heart. It is much appreciate and treasured.
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Mike Foster Says:
14 May 2009 at 6:55 pm.
Hi Robin, another wonderful video and inspirational post. I liken your dreaming music and then remembering it to perform upon wakening somewhat to what the writer feels like when in the throes of the muse. During those times when the muse arrives, often from out of the blue, I feel like i am in a dream-like state, my fingers barely able to keep up with my brain’s dictation, as I spit out prose I didn’t think I was capable of creating. Who knows, maybe I WAS asleep? I am fascinated with the creative process, and feel it doesn’t get its due.
peace,
mike
livelife365
Robin Replies
Dear mike, Wow what a comment. I just LOVE it. What you have described here I completely understand with both my music and my writing as well. And yet, I know people who do not create in this way. They plan it out in a more linear fashion. I am like you and even in the day go into a dream-like state. I really believe that we have waking dreams. I learned that when I started to dream music at night and then realized that same thing was happening through the day. I also believe that when we are open we can tape into waves of creative energy. I see this big time in you. It is what makes what you do so natural. I am learning to do that more with my videoing and public speaking. Less planning and more going into myself and BECOMING the feeling or creativity or music or writing or talking or whatever form it takes. It really does feel like I am riding a wave. It is exhilarating. It is a strength in your work. I see it in everything you do. It’s like a part of you lives constantly in another world, “the world of creative flow”. I know you understand what I am saying. Isn’t it incredible?? I thrive in it. I am so honored that you shared this today. It’s helped clarify or give me words for something that I just live and am consciously grateful for but don’t really think about or put into words. You are a gem. Thank you.
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igakely Says:
15 May 2009 at 5:38 am.
Many thanks for sharing so good music and sweet words !
Have a good week-end !
I invite you to look at my vidéo about the malagasy rainforest in my blog.
Robin Replies
Hi my friend, Thank you SO much for your visit and kind words. I appreciate them. Also, I tried to see your video, but it wouldn’t play. Tried 2 times, but will try one more time. It just was a blank square. Not sure what happened. But I do know this; I love all your videos. So uplifting and important. Thank you and hope you are doing well.
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Daphne @ Joyful Days Says:
15 May 2009 at 7:25 am.
Hi Robin,
I followed you here from your comment on Julie’s blog, and am marveling at life’s coincidences. I just wrote a guest post for Lance’s Jungle of Life, titled “The Closest You’ll Get to Eden” about lessons from a jungle. Imagine my surprise to chance upon your blog so soon after, all about living in the rainforest, and with Eden as the blog title!
Thought I’d just leave a note to say hello and let you know I’m so happy at this turn of events. I am amazed at your ability to hear and play music just like that. I took formal lessons as a child and can play by sight from a score, yet I don’t write my own music nor does my playing sound like yours. You have a gift.
Robin Replies
Dear Daphne, welcome and what a joy you are. I am honored you stopped in. I will have to check out your post on Lance’s site. Now, I’m very curious. This is a such a delightful coincidence. Your kind words touch my heart and are very generous; they are high praise from someone who reads music so easily. I’m honored. Your words also remind me to always be aware of and thank for the gifts that I am blessedly given. Gifts that without my life would not be the same. Thank you dear soul.
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Ophelia Rising Says:
16 May 2009 at 9:43 pm.
Dear sister – for me, music is also simply part of who I am, and I am constantly writing it in my head. I sometimes think I should write it down/record it (which I do, once in awhile), but for the most part, it is somewhat of a Buddhist experience – it is here, it is gone.
It’s so hard to say what music means to me, or what it does for me. It is almost to say, who am I? It’s always been in my life. From musical theatre, to choral singing, to singing around the piano with my family, to Christmas caroling, to singing in a blues band, to acoustic performance, to teaching it to children – there are so many ways in which music has been a part of my life. I can’t possibly separate myself from it.
I love your experiences, and fall silent at the wonder of them. How amazing it is that you found your voice through music, only from connecting so intensely and profoundly with your nature! That, in itself, tells a real story, so deep that it flows from you to me succinctly and with great force. Your music is YOU, and that is how music is to all life.
I love you, dear friend. xoxo
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Lydia Says:
17 May 2009 at 4:49 pm.
You left a delightful review at BlogCatalog about my other blog Clutterquake, which brought me here. I am so enchanted by your music and by your loving and enthusiastic delivery of your message. Believe me, I needed this particular talk on this very day. Funny how that happens when you’re open to it…..
THANK YOU!
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Lisleman Says:
17 May 2009 at 5:29 pm.
Robin that was some wonderful music. Since you don’t write/read it I assume you can just keep it in your head/soul. Are you able to reproduce a song from the past?
I enjoy music. For me it opens up my imagination. Most of the songs I listen to give me a visual picture.
I’m very interested in physics and your thoughts about the particles is very interesting. Current thinking says everything is moving. The very essence of matter might be vibrating stings. I suspect you may have heard of string theory.
I know you have shared some thoughts on my blog and I recall you offering a quiz type post. I just posted a challenge of a travel photo of mine. Please stop by and take a guess. thanks
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Carol Says:
18 May 2009 at 10:42 am.
Robin:
I too have fallen off the web briefly, and think about you quite often, because you are always an inspiration to me. You know how important music is to me, and I think your gift for music is incredibly unique. Your passion for others & sharing with us is something we all can learn from.
~Carol~
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Yira Says:
22 May 2009 at 3:13 pm.
I am so glad I found your blog, through Lance who inspires me every day When I read this title I thought, you know, so often I find myself dreaming some tune or even playing one in my head and it’s never related to any song I’ve heard. I can’t just sit at the piano and play what I hear, I actually get frustrated that I can’t. However, my oldest child found his talent early and with no lessons what so ever. He sings beautifully and plays pretty well too. One day, I told him, I would be able to play what I hear in my head…one of my long term goals. I think it’s awesome that you can, such a gift to be treasured.
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soulMerlin Says:
23 May 2009 at 10:13 am.
Music is very much a part of me, especially with my work as a choreographer. I remember my first orchestral concert – I was totally thrilled with the sound. So big and so melodious.
I tend to vary in my creative outlet. At the moment it is visual, painting, drawing, photography.
You have a great gift there Robin – I cannot play a musical instrument and I dream in silence (I think)
love
henry
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Walter Says:
23 May 2009 at 11:21 pm.
That’s When The Music Takes Me!
He he he, am I really that old? I remember this like it was yesterday.
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Robin Easton Reply:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Dear Jonathan, Thank you for your kind words. You needn’t say anymore. Just this simple comment is precious to me and I am honored you took the time to watch the video and visit me. It means much.
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