Today's writing is unabashedly influenced by Phil Sudo, author of Zen Guitar and other fine books.  As many of my guitar students and friends know, I have referred to Zen Guitar as an invaluable source of inspiration and direction since I discovered it several years ago.  While the world is filled with information and people claiming to manifest "The Truth", I feel that truth presents itself in many different ways for humankind.  For me, Zen Guitar rings of truth, or things that I hope are true.  The principles are guided by simplicity, clarity and compassion. Phil Sudo has been dealing with stomach cancer recently (click here to read his journal).  It is during a time like this when one's mind, body, spirit and faith are severely tested.  It becomes a challenge to talk the talk and walk the walk....

There are people we hold up to high standards of conduct and wisdom in life: religious leaders, government leaders, philosophers, our parents, close friends and anyone else we entrust to give us aid and direction as we travel down our paths on this earth.  Likewise, all of these figures have turned to their own sources of guidance when dealing with their lives.  It seems that we all need people to look up to as unfailing examples of what we would strive to achieve ourselves.  We sometimes forget, though, that all humans have a hard time living up to perfection or embodying great ideals, including our role models.  When we see someone struggle, whom we greatly respect, it can either increase our admiration for them or leave us disillusioned by the things they stand for.

Whether it's Michael Jordan "failing" to live up to his past achievements during a comeback in basketball, Eric Clapton hitting a sour note during a solo, or the President of the United States betraying the trust of the American public in some manner, we begin to doubt the nobility and practicality of the things our heroes and officials represent when they can't live up to the demands themselves.  While there may indeed be occasions when someone's failure should wake us up to pursue different directions and allegiances, more often than not we rush in error to judge those who apparently don't live up to the ideals they espouse.  The fact is that none of us are perfect in terms of always fulfilling the best we can be.  That doesn't mean that the things we strive for should always be given up as lost or unobtainable causes, though.  Sometimes it should strengthen our resolve to stay the course.

You might have noticed that many of my writings encompass my search for clarity on a number of philosophical issues while others are more overtly musical in nature such as thoughts on equipment or artists. However, I tend to think that all of the articles are somehow related to each other in a coherent, if not obvious, fashion.  I always want these thoughts to tie in with both of our musical interests.  To me, there is no separation between recording with the latest and greatest piece of gear and the ability to handle the deep questions and obstacles that life throws our way.  The Zen saying "From one thing know 10,000 things" illustrates this.  It is precisely through my experiences, struggles and celebrations as a musician that I hope to understand things which can be applied to all events in life.  Likewise, I believe that Phil Sudo is drawing from the teachings in Zen Guitar to help him in his experience with cancer.

I am sure there are days when his illness makes it very difficult to cheerfully and gracefully fulfill all of the lessons contained in the book.  I have a hard time living up to a lot of the ideals I set forth in my writings as well.  During challenging times, it is very tempting to panic and give up, especially for perfectionists who try so hard to live up to the principles taught by their truths.  Failure to meet the moral and ethical (and occasionally physical) standards we endorse can leave us feeling discouraged and lost.

I try to teach my guitar students the virtues of practice and patience because I believe that they are two vital ingredients to success with the instrument.  However, there are many days when I don't practice and I lose patience with the demands of playing.  It is at those times that I often think "I am a teacher.  Of all people, I should be able to deal with these issues more effectively."  I have learned that it is important for me to have compassion and understanding for myself because I am human and can't always meet the ideal.  Because of this, it is necessary for me to have the same compassion and understanding when other people don't meet the ideal either.  This is much easier said than done.

The aforementioned Zen idea of knowing 10,000 things from one thing is further evident in how my own struggles with myself and music have taught me to appreciate other spiritual teachings such as "Judge not lest ye be judged",  or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  The truth can traverse different religions and philosophies to find its way into every one of us.

Sometimes it is much, much simpler to talk the talk, or discuss the values we endorse.  Most of the times it is substantially more difficult to walk the walk, or practice what we preach.  That should not always be a deterrent from trusting the leadership of those we respect, nor should it prevent us from reaching to be the best we can be.
 

Jason

"To teach is to learn twice" --- Joseph Joubert