The Way
Once you let go the real journey begins
There is a magic in letting go. Because, really, it means stepping into the unknown and to boldly go where no-one has gone before. At least, where I haven’t gone before. And in this great unknown, trust is a key to create, to open doors that may have seemed unimaginable. Here’s an invitation…
Chapters:
- 00:00:00 Intro
- 00:00:26 Der Weg – Solo
- 00:01:19 Leere als Weg
- 00:06:04 Der Weg – Remix
Shownotes, ein Transkript der Texte und mehr findest du auf lachenderbach.de.
Transcript
The Way
The way
Does not exist
You’re creating it
With every step
It’s pointless to wait
in doubt’s shade
Trust your tread
Your foot knows the ground
And once you’ve found
Go for this round, and another
Now you can show others
The Way
That does not exist
©️ Laughing Brook/Peter Mueller 2024
Intro
In his essay “The Coronation,” written against the backdrop of the Corona pandemic, cultural philosopher Charles Eisenstein proposes the idea that we as humanity in our 21st century version are obsessed with the idea of control. We want to control everything, and ultimately also our lives – that’s why death is such a big taboo. For, after all, death is the ultimate loss of control. Eisenstein is not alone in this assessment. In my work with people I encounter this wrestling with control all the time, in amazingly creative and versatile forms and often not as a conscious act. And presumably this need to be in control of one’s own life is as old as humanity and in some respects an essential aspect of us as persons.
Many spiritual traditions invite us to face this desire for control and to – let go. Most prominent here are probably Eastern teachings, be they Vedic scriptures, Buddhism or Tantrism. They all invite us into emptiness, describing a reality behind our visible reality which lies beyond comprehension of our rational minds, but from which nevertheless everything originates. In the Judean and Christian tradition this invitation to let go is also found. The term used here is to believe – one could also use the word to trust. In the Tao Te Ching, the Chinese sage Laozi [laodschi] speaks about the art of acting by not doing, of emptiness as the path to fullness. Meditators and mystics of all times have had the experience of a void which is full, and alive, where nothing is missing and everything is well.
Getting there is actually quite easy. I just have to let go and I am there. But because we humans have this incredibly strong need for control, and because we also live in a society that constantly asks us to control ourselves and everything around us, it can seem impossible to embark on this path of letting go. There is a way, and it is enormously worthwhile and rewarding to walk it.
Like every path it begins with a first step. As we walk it, whether it is taking us on an easy downhill stroll or an exasperating steep and scary uphill climb; wether it is under beautiful blue skies or with icy rain biting in our faces; whether we walk it enthusiastically with others or doubtfully and painfully alone – it ever so slowly changes who we are. It takes a decision, the courage to commit to it, and trust that it will lead me to a destination. Intuition will become a resource, mindfulness will teach us to notice those easy to miss cues that teach us about the when and where, about teachers, mentors and allies. And very magically, just like in the beautiful story about the Wizard of Oz, it is precisely our walking on this path which has already all the things in it we are longing for.
Outro:
There are a few thank-yous to say, as I couldn’t have done this podcast in this way without help and inspiration.
Viktor Pavel for speech coaching, supporting as director with some of the poems that we recorded at Mixwerk Studio, Berlin, and for a number of very useful practical tips for recording. Michael Hermann from the Studio Frequenzgarten in Augsburg for help with mixing and tips on equipment and setting up a proper recording environment. Julia Knoblauch for shooting the podcast cover and some of the images you find on my website, laughingbrook.net. Dr. Simone Gaiss for stylistic feedback about writing the texts. Meredith Husen for feedback and inspiration from the perspective of a poet. And, speaking of inspiration: The remixes were and are inspired by artists such as David Bowie, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Laurie Anderson and Prince, who have always fished on the edge of what you can do or are supposed to do, and who have turned the studio into an art form.
And finally I would like to thank all of the people, alive or long passed, who inspired me, challenged and accompanied my throughout my life. This list would be too long to mention everyone.
There’s one person, who I would like to extend a very special and particular thank you – and this is you – thank you for listening, for your interest in this podcast. The texts I write and share here usually aren’t the result of lengthy construction, but are born in the moment. They represent special moments. They come from the heart, they are from the heart. Sharing them is something special, and that means that you as my listener are a special someone to me. If you are touched by what I do here, by what touched me, then we experience – in which ever way – something like connectedness. And what a gift this it! Thank you very much!
My name is Laughing Brook, I am a poet, dancer, mystic, nature coach and man whisperer.
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This podcast will continue without any fixed schedule, as life happens and verses come. So please subscribe to be in the loop and check back occasionally for any new poetry. For more info about me and things beyond this podcast, please check out laughingbrook.net. Thank you for listening, and – keep on flowing, bumping and jumping with the stream of life.
