Bluegrass and the Evolution of Human Consciousness
Adam Jacobs
Adam Jacobs
Quote:On some level or at some point, we're all know-it-alls. We have formed our opinions, made our choices, and have a deep and pervasive drive to hang on to them. In truth, it's healthy and good for our know-it-all attitude to be crashed against the wall of cognitive dissonance that we all experience. This process opens the door to growth. I say “opens” as many choose not to walk through it to our own detriment.
As Pema Chodron taught, “only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible be found in us.”
Okay, so how is that done?
Primarily through honesty.
Quote:Now, bluegrass grew out of the rough-and-tumble life of the Appalachians in the 1930s and 40s and often laments its hardships. It's also suffused with the faith and religiosity of those who live through it. As such, there's often a behind-the-scenes hopefulness in spite of the painful circumstances.
Once a soul has foundered on the complexities of human existence and has developed enough to admit its pain, ignorance, and fear, new vistas open. One that allows moments of higher awareness to mingle with the lower ones. This is akin to walking through the woods during a lightning storm. By and large, you can't see more than a few feet in front of you, but once in a while, explosive bursts of energy illuminate a much more vast terrain.
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'
- Bertrand Russell
- Bertrand Russell
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