December 12, 2006
What Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Can Teach You About Qigong
I had the good fortune to hear Hawaiian slack key guitar masters John Keawe and Keola Beamer at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis last Friday.
I arrived late and entered to John Keawe in mid-instrumental. I was struck immediately by the atmosphere of attentive respect and gentleness in the audience.
John Keawe’s slack key appeared effortless and free-flowing like a bubbling stream shot through with glancing sunlight. The ease belied the hidden mastery.
Between songs, John told humorous stories, generally joked around and displayed a humble, down to earth, yet very soulful character.
Keola Beamer displayed an equal mix of deceptive musical mastery and light good humor.
It was clear that both these gentleman have habitually been enormously dedicated in their music practice. And yet they display a gentle ease of being to complement that dedication.
Dedicated practice and lightness of being. Now there’s the formula for success in so much of life and most certainly for your qigong!
Developing and maintaining a good sense of humor will go a long way to ensure that your practice remains enjoyable and rewarding year after year.
Too much seriousness can lead to tightness, rigidity, narrowness and stagnation. Be dedicated to your practice but leaven your dedication with a sense of ease and playfulness. Your body, mind and soul with thank you. And your practice will be longer-lived and richer in its expression.
See all of John Du Cane’s qigong resources.
Posted by james at 9:10 AM | Comments (2024)