A Trip Into The Past

I understand that most of us think that spirituality is an ethereal nebulous concept that will  lift us to a higher level.  We want to be like the Buddha existing on a different plain or Tibetan Monks removed from the world into a life of contemplation and meditation.

But we are not.  That is not the way the world or life works.  We are immersed in family, friends, homes,  technology, jobs and organizations.  We are also political and social beings. In order to reduce inner conflicts and find our spiritual balance we need to take our core beliefs and values and integrate them into our daily lives.

The Arlo Guthrie concert was thought provoking.  On the one hand it was wonderful.  Arlo Guthrie was everything I remembered only better because now he has 50 years of stories from which to draw.  

On the other hand we have a case of being so divided that a few verses of “This Land is Your Land” becomes subversive http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-super-bowl-lady-gaga-this-land-is-your-land-20170206-story.html
 I was reminded that the issues that plagued us 50 years ago are still with us today.  Immigrants are still the scapegoats of choice as in”Deportee” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportee_(Plane_Wreck_at_Los_Gatos)
 Woody Guthrie’s song from 68 years ago.  War is still with us as in Arlo’s song “A Soldier Makes it Home” from the Soviet Afghanistan wars in the 80s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iZjldSvro1A. 
Politics is more concerned about staying in power and doing the bare minimum to lift he lives of ordinary people.  Race and integration/segregation take two steps forward an three steps back.

These questions are still here from 50 years ago.  The answers remain just as elusive.  The only thing we know deep in our hearts is what Arlo reminded those of us who sat in the audience last night.  

The change has to start with us.

We ended the concert by singing a poem that Woody had written and Arlo set to music.  http://woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/My_Peace.htm

As a society we have so much to give, and the first offering we need to make is an offering of peace.

Arlo’s website is at https://www.arlo.net

Join the blog conversation by leaving a comment or sending me a message.  Thanks….Rob