creative process - Blog Posts - Yoga Vidya International - Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality2024-03-28T17:53:30Zhttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/creative+processUncertainty Principlehttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/uncertainty-principle2010-08-01T20:33:22.000Z2010-08-01T20:33:22.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">("<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_William_Waterhouse_-_The_Crystal_Ball.JPG">The Crystal Ball</a>" by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/John_William_Waterhouse">John William Waterhouse</a>)</span></p><br /><div align="center"><object height="100" width="400" data="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="song_label=poligraf.uncertainty.principle.clip.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/byqchthasabjtbdkdmbb/c35947d80bb49c5b624a8d4670d1197ee128db05/Asset/40606382/v3/web_preview&autoplay=false" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="song_label=poligraf.uncertainty.principle.clip.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/byqchthasabjtbdkdmbb/c35947d80bb49c5b624a8d4670d1197ee128db05/Asset/40606382/v3/web_preview&autoplay=false" height="100" width="400" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object></div><br /><p>« Uncertainty Principle » gets its title from Heisenberg's quantum mechanics principle which states by precise inequalities that certain pairs of physical properties, like position and momentum, cannot simultaneously be known to arbitrary precision. That is, the more precisely one property is measured, the less precisely the other can be measured. In other words, the more you know the position of a particle, the less you can know about its velocity, and the more you know about the velocity of a particle, the less you can know about its instantaneous position. But the subject matter of the song has little to do with science, some might say quite the opposite in fact.</p><br /><p>The intent here is rather to convey the difficulty and the value of keeping an open mind while waiting or working for a particular outcome to a process. This is not so hard when the process in question is of short duration. But as the length of time increases so does the temptation to decide that the desired effect will never come to pass, and that it is better to terminate the process, stop exerting efforts and investing resources, and forget about the whole thing. The uncertainty can become harder and harder to bear with time.</p><br /><p>But what if this uncertainty is the only door through which the wanted result can come about ? This is especially relevant when one is engaged in a creative process or trying to bring about innovation. Holding on to a vision, nurturing the faith that an experience wasn't instigated in vain, and that the reward for keeping the door open will come, can turn into a tremendously demanding struggle in some instances. But when it's the only way to go, then having the capacity to sustain uncertainty becomes a determining factor in the fight between hope and actuality.</p><br /><p>The music is still at the draft stage. The arrangements, for the chorus in particular, will have to be developed, but for now they mostly serve the purpose of capturing the melodies and chordal structures.</p><br /><p>The lyrics are almost complete at this point, but they still need a little polishing before they receive the « Final Version » seal. Here are the third and fourth verses, followed by the chorus :</p><br /><p><em>Reflecting<br />Wondering<br />Observing<br />All day - Hoping for a sign<br /><br />Of presence<br />Of guidance - Divine<br /><br />Sometimes it's better not to know<br />Maybe goes further than a no<br />The future's not for me to see<br />But I can wish wholeheartedly<br /><br />Count on the unknown quantity<br />Nurture the possibility<br />Magic needs a way to get in<br />Let it begin<br /><br />And when it seems unlikely<br />That you'll ever be set free<br />Before the brand new day<br />Your darkest hour<br /><br />Forget about what can't be<br />The sacred, the worldly<br />Keep open the doorway<br />Of uncertainty<br /><br />You may find if you open your mind<br />That you're one of a kind<br />In your finest hour<br />Life loves a dreamer<br /><br />Amazing discovery<br />Wildest reality<br />Your wish has come to be<br />For all to see</em></p></div>Come Backhttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/come-back2010-09-07T23:40:45.000Z2010-09-07T23:40:45.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">("<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magnetic_field_of_bar_magnets_attracting.png">Magnetic field of two bar magnets with unlike poles</a>" by Alexander Wilmer Duff)</span></p><br /><div align="center"><object height="100" width="400" data="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="song_label=poligraf.comeback.clip.intro.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/6u1iaubp2g4ctwyfitea/5bbe940eac4be9c234f20c57541bee72d21045c9/Asset/3715498/v3/web_preview&autoplay=false" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="song_label=poligraf.comeback.clip.intro.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/6u1iaubp2g4ctwyfitea/5bbe940eac4be9c234f20c57541bee72d21045c9/Asset/3715498/v3/web_preview&autoplay=false" height="100" width="400" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object></div><br /><p>« Come Back » dates back to the epoch of The Fall Children, the band that was supposed to be but never really was, and whose unexpected but timely demise cleared the space which Poligraf needed to come into being.</p><br /><p>This is an enigmatic piece for me as both music and lyrics have been reworked and reorganized many times over the years, yet I’m never completely satisfied with the end results, which is kind of strange for a piece which is basically a simple song with an extended instrumental ending (as opposed to a lengthy suite for instance). That being said, as it stands now, I find the music convincing, except for the choruses which need an arrangement.</p><br /><p>The song portrays the situation of a person hoping to reunite with a long-lost loved one, and I'm currently working on lyrics with a view of including the piece on Poligraf's third full-length album tentatively entitled « Zen and the Art of Navigating the Cosmos. » So, I'm trying to tell the story from the point of view of someone who uses their own feelings and visions along with traditional divinatory tools (such as astrology and tarot) in order to reach the desired future, pretty much as a pilot would use their instruments to reach their destination. Hopefully this new angle will provide enough inspiration to bring the piece to a satisfactory completion.</p><br /><p>Here are parts of this work in progress :</p><br /><p><em>Walking at night through the city<br />Miles away from your stare<br />Absorbed in memories of you<br />No distance I can't bear<br /><br />My Evening Star for you I long<br />This love knows no delay<br />Dark of the moon, the feeling's strong<br />To be with you I pray<br /><br />Still have this flame burning inside<br />Bright as the light of day<br />Lately the signs have multiplied<br />Hope tomorrow's the day<br /><br />How time flew by, yet in hindsight<br />Few beats did not belong<br />My mind never figured I could<br />My heart knew all along<br /></em></p></div>