Momentum…Focus….Discipline. I find them a constant challenge. Take your eye off either one for more than a breath and they try to slip away, (the bastards !) take themusicologist for example when the momentum slips the focus wavers and the discipline flies out the window making it difficult to get back on the right track.
‘So many things to do and so little time to do them in’ is a well worn cliche but fits me like a John Pearse tailored suit. Not that I’m complaining…I would much rather be busy than not it’s just that there are, (as we all know), only 24 hours in a day and it just isn’t enough for me to get the job done. So with that in mind allow me to lay this cut on you.
A slice of Jamaican ‘Steppers’ from themusicologist’s ROCKET BOX. One of my most cherished pieces of the shiny black stuff from One of my favourite Dancehall artists, Kenneth ‘Mr Reality’ Allen a.k.a Admiral Tibet whose consciousness and integrity are something to behold. Never have I heard the Admiral speak anything other than righteousness. An artist that, like Terry Callier, deserves our FULL support.
The horse reared in fright as the shrouded man walked unexpectedly onto the path and startled it.
‘Ho there,’ gried the carriage driver, struggling to regain control of his animal. ‘What devil does such a thing! What do you think you are doing suddenly appearing like that?’
‘In peace, I am no devil, moreover, if there were a demon it is within your hand, creating a reign of terror upon unsuspecting travellers,’ answered the man.
‘You are either a sage or a simpleton, speaking as you do,’ said the carraige driver. ‘The former I’ll wager, for any fool can see that this powerful horse has been finely trained and is well harnessed,’
‘Of what good is the strength of a horse and the control of a harness, if the direction of the will guiding the driver’s hand is elsewhere?’ said the sage. ‘It is clear that you are on this road against your will.’
‘What nonsense do you speak of?’ retorted the carraige driver, wondering how the sage had hit upon the truth with his last remark. ‘Explain yourself, or you’ll feel the lash of more than my tongue!’
‘The fine carraige in which you sit can be likened to the body; the powerful horse to your feelings and desires; you, as driver, are like the mind; and your will is the master of them all. Will is the development of a wish, the command that turns a wish into an action. It is clear that you have no wish to travel wherever you now go, because your will was not ready for the unexpected. The unexpected is the test of true constancy, Man’s self-governing key. You did not wish this trip, so, your will lacked the tenacity, steadfastness, stability and fortitude that a road such as this demands. A resolute will has power, control and direction working together. When man lacks this unity, his lack of will is plain for all to see, no matter how he may disguise it.’
‘In truth I have no desire to make this trip,’ said the carraige driver. ‘But the will of my master is such that I have no choice, though in my heart I know misfortune will come of the business I am ordered to do.’
‘It is indeed far easier to train a wild beast than educate one’s own will to perform, because of Man’s uncertainty as to what he really wants,’ replied the sage. ‘That is why Man continues to yield the power of his own will to the will of others and calls it destiny.’