Yesterday was the last recording session for the new Joensuu EP, which comprised of doing all the vocals. Beforehand I asked our producer Rene to give me some vocal exercises and he stressed that i should really try to relax the area of my vocal chords as much as possible and basically just let it do it’s work; it was the best vocal session I’ve ever had. Whilst singing I thought of the fact that it’s actually a beautiful analogy to the way we treat our bodies and minds. We tend to put way too much tension on our bodies and minds, hardly giving it any space. In this way we do not only make our bodies ill and our minds stress- and fearful, also we don’t leave room for the great qualities they have to offer. Yesterday, when I relaxed, I noticed that I suddenly had a much broader vocal range than i usually have when I tend to tense up while singing. Our bodies will give back so much more energy and health if we just let it be now and then. The same goes for our mind, if we can more and more let go of the tension of grasping, the mind can just be open, relaxed and joyful. Here’s a beautiful poem by Tsoknyi Rinpoche which basically says it all:
Usually when we fix our attention
We confine this natural cognizance
Instead of doing that, why not simply let experience unfold?
There is some energy in the beauty
In the ugliness,
In whatever situation you’re in.
Just let it unfold, and you’ll know more and more.
There’s no need to fix it or nail it down.
Just be carefree and let things be.
Then every single state within samsara and nirvana
Will only unfold, more and more.
When we are wide awake, anything can take place, can’t it?
-Tsoknyi Rinpoche- from Carefree Dignity