Listen and Learn

The first time I listened to jazz, I was about 22 or so. At the time, I was an exchange student in Costa Rica. Everyday, there were heavy rains, called aguaceros. For a couple of hours, the whole country basically shuts down while the rain falls in torrents. During these aguaceros, I found myself confined to my apartment, with nothing to do but listen to music. I flooded the air waves with bolero, reggae, salsa and samba. But I will always remember the day that I really listened to what was going on in jazz.

On this particular day I was listening to Nefertiti by Miles Davis. Somehow, I caught wind of the conversation between the drum, base and piano. As I stayed with it, I began to "understand" what the horns were saying; I could feel the logic! I was thrilled at first. It was like suddenly being able to understand the language of flowers. But then, as I eavesdropped on the conversation, I was a little startled, too. I remember thinking "These guys are totally insane. Just crazy!" Their thinking was brilliant and complex. But it was radically different from anything else I knew.

I have, since that early experience with jazz, learned to really listen to other musical forms, including Cuban rumba, Nigerian high life and Haitian racine. Each time, I am impressed by the effects of really listening, as opposed to just hearing. When you listen, you accept what is said, how it is said and you open up your heart to the reasons why it is being said. In short, listening has a real impact on your awareness. It is an experience. Through it, you learn more about yourself, what makes you tick. You also learn more about the world around you, things you share with your environment and the people in it. 

The Orisa Lifestyle Academy member site is where you go to train yourself to listen to the spiritual laws that govern the universe. The hundreds of videos, activities and exercises will allow you to learn to listen to your body, your ancestors, your natural gifts and talents. And thus, you learn what it means to live the medicine that will heal your life and the lives of those you serve.