[pianotech] Slightly OT: Movie recommendation

[Euphonious Thumpe]

          Without getting "too theistic" (because religion and politics were deemed verbotten on this list after the 9/11 attacks), work that one does to seek perfection through (to the best of one's abilities, and to improve them) is meditation. And, as we sit alone at a workbench, pondering some problem, who among us has not had that "Aha!" moment when it simply "comes to us"??? (Seemingly more a reward for our dedication, than result of our effort.) I pity those souls who, seeking material profit only, have never enjoyed this experience! Though raised to be an atheist, the astonishing nature of some of these "Aha!" moments compelled me to reconsider whether the inner voices we hear ("our thoughts") originate FROM us, or "elsewhere".*   Eventually, after some truly astonishing phenomena (which I am currently documenting at the request of some significant Hollywood persons --- a couple of the milder ones were read on NPR and included in a NY
 Times best-seller already) I had to reject the atheistic paradigm completely. While we who are in the tangible trades must "look within" for the solution to unique problems which we seek to solve for both practical and inquisitiveness reasons (and the sheer joy of it!) far too many souls today are enticed into believing that satisfaction comes through avidly seeking to connect their sensory apparati with corresponding external  stimuli. (Usually, by those selling the stimuli!) Hence, they neither experience nor develop an "inner focus", have no intuition (connection with the Teacher Within) and utterly no self-confidence. (Confiding with the Self.) They exist primarily  as swarms of lost and pathetic, pitiable "hungry ghosts" (as say the Buddhists) a nation of consumers (and on borrowed money!) rather than givers, providers and creators. (The swarms of thousands of crazed, binge-drinking college students, stumbling from bar to bar here in Athens,
 Georgia, every weekend, is a perfect example of this! 4 ambulances now just show up and park at 8 PM downtown, waiting for "customers" to have to haul off! It's a real mess, and largely, I believe, the result of these kids having no sense of meaning or purpose beyond being thrill-seeking consumers. 
If they knew the satisfaction of creating something tangible they feel good about, afterward, or something INtangible ( like joy in another ;person through selfless service) they'd likely not be so prone to such binging, and the subsequent catastrophes it engenders, IMHO.     
     Beyond just making pianos enjoyable, therefore, we have a role as examples of CONTRIBUTORS to society (not merely parasites)! Those who exude the palpable inner satisfaction which comes from bringing beauty to the world! There are many other ways to do this, of course, though: the current, burgeoning, organic small-farm movement being a welcomed return to sanity, for example, and I wish all such well. But ANYTHING we do "for the love of it", and to bring joy to others, and relieve them of their sufferings, has worth infinitely beyond any mere game of "money making"!

     Thumpe
 

     *"There has been a model around for at least 100 years, that says that the brain is the reciever of thoughts, and not the creator of them! And that we are missing something, somehow..." (In our standard, Western, description of the mind and how it works.)  This is a quote from Dr. Bruce Grayson, head of the Department of Conceptual Studies of the University of Virginia, pertaining to astonishing, replicable phenomena observed in his highly advanced research lab, as he stated on NPR about 7 years ago. One such experiment, for example, has repeatedly shown that the portions of the brain corresponding to responses to specific stimuli (such as a grisly photo of an auto wreck) "light up" with activity BEFORE the test subject turns the page in the book lying before him, and in fact sees the photo!!!


   
 

________________________________
 From:  Encore Pianos <encorepianos at metrocast.net>; 
To:  <pianotech at ptg.org>; 
Subject:  Re: [pianotech] Slightly OT: Movie recommendation 
Sent:  Mon, Aug 13, 2012 8:50:13 PM 
  
It's an important point too, one that is too much lost in the
commodification of work in our society, where finding meaning and value in
one's work (beyond the monetary) is all but forgotten.  It seems that we are
an anachronism to most people.  But I cannot help but think that we are the
lucky ones, even if only a few others know it, because we have work that we
love and have a lifetime passion for, fed by an unquenchable curiosity.  I'm
planning on dying with my enthusiasm intact, no matter how old I get.  

I watched the preview online a short while ago.  The way he handles his food
reminds me of the rituals of the Tea Ceremony, where one spends a lifetime
practicing what seem to be the simplest of movements.  

Will

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 4:14 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Slightly OT: Movie recommendation

Yes, I realize the danger here.  The other movies you mention are quite good
too.  But one of the theme's here is dedication to a life's work and also to
enumerate the principles of refining one's craft.  I couldn't help but think
of piano work as I watched and the parallels were too strong to ignore.  It
is available as a rental at this point.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Encore Pianos
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 12:53 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Slightly OT: Movie recommendation

You're in danger of creating a monster here, David - there are so many
possibilities.  Several come to mind for me:  Babette's Feast;  Eat, Drink,
Man, Woman; and Julie and Julia.  

I saw the previews to this film a few months ago at our local beloved Indy
film theatre, and we ended up missing it  (Arrggghhh!!)  But it's just out
on DVD, and Netflix has it.  I have long been influenced by the traditional
Japanese sensibility of craft where the journey towards perfection in one's
craft is also a
 spiritual one, and one has to master oneself before they can
master their craft.

Will Truitt




-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 2:53 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Slightly OT: Movie recommendation

For a good movie which parallels to our own commitment to craft see "Jiro
Dreams of Sushi"  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
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