Why is it that the greatest artists are flawed? Jonny
Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin to name just a few. The performances
from these where far from perfect in fact they teetered on the edge of disaster
for most of the time, concerts of Amy Winehouse for instance.
What is it that we seem to miss here intellectually? We
have a concept which makes us aim for perfection yet obviously realise the
reverse unconsciously otherwise we would not be captivated by the failings of
these masters.
Are these personal demons of the above artists the things
that drove them and made them so captivating? Let us as a thought experiment
imagine that they were and take our psychological shadows and let them in for a
while.
There is a Buddhist concept which I think comes from
Tibetan Buddhism of feeding your demons by invoking them, getting to know them
and then 'feeding them' sometimes literally. They need feeding anyway and if
ignored will disrupt your life as well as feeding off you, so bring them in! I
look at it like the builders and labourers that are doing stuff for you, make
sure that you pay them and treat them with respect and do not ignore their
requests for payment.
The shadow side of our nature contains most of the juice
that we need for artistic expression, if you do not believe me sit through a
modern church service and listen to the music. If you are not part of the
reverie then the music will make you feel like you are being beaten to death by
soft furnishings.
There is something important in our failings and
inadequacies that can be recognised and used. Hendrix was not the best
guitarist technically for his time, not by a long shot, but he touched more
people than any other guitarist and his performances although flawed were
entrancing.
Instead of looking for perfection and dancing in the
light step into the shadows and dance with the shade. Invite the parts of you that
you do not like, be it your character flaws- anger, jealousy, greed or your
ability flaws- lack of patience, heavy handed, inaccurate playing and let them join the feast
see what they bring to the party. Stop pretending to be someone else. Stop
being the shop front that you show the world and bring the workers from the
back room out. Do what Freddie Mercury did, lay it out for all to see but in
your way and see what happens.
Your demons may have some cool tricks up their sleeves.
Let’s face it they have had to put up with you all these years.
Vic
Music summer school for rock blues reggae soul jazz ….
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