In Goddess We Trust

Making Music    by J. Devi


I'm still stuck on that subject of sound. Sort of. I like to compare various "principles," such as musical theory, to cultural rules or principles. I find it's an excellent way to examine our conditioning from another angle. It's not my intention to draw direct correlations or conclusions. In order to apply musical theory to relationships, it is helpful to think of the body as a source of vibrations. These vibrations have correlations in sound, color and matter and so on. Think of the colors of the chakra as notes, the number of petals on the lotus as beats per measure, the aura as a tune.

Without getting Into the intricate mysteries of the attractive forces at work in relationship making, let us assume that there is a harmonious resonance between the individuals. And yes, if all goes according to the standard score, they make lovely music together and live happily ever after. One problem with this is that is assumes that there is only one form of music for all relationships. If most moralists had their way, all relationships would sound like Gregorian chants.

Most of us never question what purpose a particular relationship has, or whether it has some other purpose in our life than fulfilling this patented Barbie/Ken fantasy of relationship. Relationships can have a vast range of functions in our personal evolution such as learning, balancing, re-patterning, calling us to grow in any number of directions.

We may never know what the music is trying to evoke in us unless we listen to what is true in the sound of the moment. It is unfortunate to see how much beautiful music is unappreciated because it does not fit a particular form. Not to mention how many missed opportunities occur because we get so fixated on making a potential flamenco into the theme song to the Waltons.

Then there is that forever thing, that rule that we should be in love with only one person forever. Talk about an unreasonable expectation! Constant Salsa? It's possible but rather unlikely. People change over a measure of time. Someone's heart may open and so their chakra configuration also - the result being, they change their tune. Their partner may also have changed, for the better also. But combined, and without any fault, their tunes may sound unbearably dystonic.

Consider what happens when we force ourselves to stay in a situation where there is persistent disharmony. Combine all the stress and the guilt and grief for unmet expectations, and you've got the recipe for one "unsound" situation. I'm not saying the relationship is over at the first flat note. I am suggesting that many problems in relationships are the result of not finding the true function of a given relationship. Why struggle to make jazz sound like a lullaby?

Relationships can be opportunities to work through any number of patterns. For example, one could be drawn to someone that has a complementary sibling issue that is an obstacle to both. But potential strides are lost because Prince Charming has to find just the right foot. Some see this attractive force as the spirit of the relationship. I suspect many of us are familiar with the darker aspects of this spirit. Sometimes I think we have to be prepared to go through hell to pay homage to it. But it seems that unless we come to appreciate the true nature of the forces that draw us together, we never get to witness her awesome beauty.

*First printed in Pathways (Crossroads Learning Center) Vol. 4, #2 (March 1995)

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In Goddess We Trust - works by J. Devi