In a mood in which he was feeling the “delight, the evanescence and love within which we are all enfolded”, my dear friend, Hiroshi “YOTA” Tanaka, wrote the score for a CD album, NATURE SONG.  It is the third offering in a trilogy titled MARVELAND, in which Yota-san musically and emotionally,  maps a legendary world of wonder [another word for miracle] in a transcendent observation of the human drama of endlessly repeating histories.

In NATURE SONG, Tanaka is remembering a carefree time in his life when he ran in the fields, swam in the rivers and the sea, when Mother Nature was less challenged, and when, perhaps, human society was  more inclusive and caring of each other and better cared for the heavenly body from which it derives its sustenance.

Yota’s music evokes memories of an ancient place and time from which our species has continuously played out its transitory existence.  Moving between joy and sorrow as we evolve, our individual lives ebbing and flowing and then returning to their source–as naturally as do the rivers–before  finally dissolving into the One Ocean.

The quality of our  journey and the quality of our Natural world depend upon the quality of our thoughts and deeds.  Song titles like “Gentle Mind”, “Mountain Glow”, “Bird Song” and “Mind Flower” carry the spirit of Yota’s gentleness and childlike wonder of Nature at her finest and free-est.

As I am uplifted by the hopefulness and joy of the title track, “Nature Song”, and feel the genuine childlike wonder carried within it, I know that I don’t want to come to the end of my life in a condition of nostalgia, longing for a better, earlier time.  

In this period, NOW, 2011 the beginning of the Age of Aquarius, there is still time to choose to change the patterns of carelessness for our earthly Mother and each other, and to invite the natural expansion of our consciousness to reach higher levels where we are the true “enjoyers”, unaffected by the dualities.  This can be achieved when our tune is harmonized with Nature’s own song; not another version of  “Play it again, Sam”.   What do you think/feel?

WE are the current stewards of our Wonderland, our Universe, our One Song.  Can you hear our hearts calling out to be restored to the natural rhythms of Life? It may be but one choice away.

“Nature Song” written and conducted by Yota Tanaka is performed by his ensemble, the Milky Way Orchestra (above).     A SPECIAL TREAT:  YOUTUBE video of performance with pan pipes  EIKEN Trio (below)

Solo performance by Hidenori Iwata on panpipes

http:/yotahuman.net/

Whew!! YOU MADE IT HERE!

Overwhelmed by responsibilities?  Breathlessly rushing to complete deadlines?  Disturbed by the latest news?  A special relationship stressing you out?  Forgetting to breathe deeply and be deeply grateful for all the Miracles in your life?

Grace yourself with 7 exquisite minutes of peace transmitted by Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh

“This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home”.

Homage to Avalokiteswara, Embodiment of Compassion

(If you want to both listen and follow the words- go to the next page)

May the sound of the bell penetrate deep into the cosmos

even in the darkest places,

living beings are able to hear it clearly

so that all suffering in them cease,

and understanding comes to their hearts

and they transcend the path of suffering (sorrow) and death.

The Universal Dharma door is already open.

The sound of the rising tide is heard clearly

And a miracle happens

A beautiful child appears in the heart of a lotus flower

one single drop of this compassionate water

Is enough to bring back the refreshing spring to our mountains and rivers.

Listening to the sound of the bell

I feel the afflictions in me begin to dissolve

My mind becomes calm, my body relaxed

a smile is born on my lips.

Following the sound of the bell

my breath guides me back to the safe island of mindfulness.

In the garden of my heart the flowers of peace bloom beautifully

I recently became aware of a beautiful song by Sarah Mclachlan, “Ordinary Miracle”,  which expresses the heart-view of “Miracles and Grace”.

We hustle around so fast these days, that  it is easy to miss the abundance of ordinary, everyday miracles, even when they are right under our noses.

C.S. Lewis wrote:  “Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see”.

If you want to both listen and follow the words- -

ORDINARY MIRACLE

It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it’s time to snow
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
Go give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
Will always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
‘Cause we’re all a part  of the ordinary miracle. .

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional
The things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Sarah McLachlan : Ordinary Miracle Lyrics
Songwriters: Ballard, Glen; Stewart, David A.;

Link to hear song:         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwLxAFBLkCI