the chrome lake - Blog Posts - Yoga Vidya International - Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality2024-03-28T13:01:25Zhttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/the+chrome+lakeThe Music Of Poligraf : Leaving The Ashram part 1 & 2https://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/the-music-of-poligraf-leaving2009-06-30T13:16:55.000Z2009-06-30T13:16:55.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" width="444" height="317" /> <br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">(Detail from a Postcard, Unknown Artist)</span></p><div align="center"><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="100" flashvars="song_label=converted-poligraf.leaving.the.ashram.part1_converted.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/qjekoowbe8auroexll2a/5386708d9a06925aaad713defa1c27abd0d07c42/60bf9db0-8f87-012b-7f83-f3b03b40a8b2/633b1450-8f88-012b-dfb5-f5e88fe06072/v2/content&autoplay=false" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></div><p>“Leaving The Ashram” is the third chapter of "Entering The Stream," a trilogy describing an episode of intense introspection that will most likely open our second album. <br /><br /> An instrumental suite in four movements (Meditative Walk, Running The Last Stretch, The Tabla Master’s Enigma, and The Ordinary II), it was originally put together in 2004, way before the other two chapters, “Into The Ashram” and “The Chrome Lake.”<br /><br />Once reflection and healing have taken place, the ashram need not be externalized anymore, and the meditator can thus return to its work in the world.</p><p style="border-width:1px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-color:#AAAAAA;font-size:x-small;">The Music Of Poligraf series are reposts of writings and demo audio clips that have been originally published on The Goal Was So Near from November 2008 to April 2009, made available for those who missed the original Clip Of The Day series. <br /><br /> If you enjoy what you hear, you are invited to visit the Music section of our website and support our efforts by pre-ordering our first album entitled Samsara.</p></div>The Music Of Poligraf : Leaving The Ashram part 3 & 4https://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/the-music-of-poligraf-leaving-12009-07-26T22:52:39.000Z2009-07-26T22:52:39.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" width="444" height="498" /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">("Enigma" by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mat%C3%ADas_Argud%C3%ADn">Matías Argudín</a>)</span></p><div align="center"><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="100" flashvars="song_label=converted-poligraf.leaving.the.ashram.pt3pt4_converted.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/xadkuewess33dy8jphsc/a5fb252aa696dbebd1e4cc5c908051c09f070d17/c19288e0-975a-012b-75ca-f422761eb17d/f2457cc0-975c-012b-4945-fdd3b3cfc479/v2/content&autoplay=false" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></div><p>The third and fourth parts of “Leaving The Ashram” are respectively entitled “The Tabla Master’s Enigma” and “The Ordinary II.” Our unidentified introspective hero has completed his retreat and is going back to ordinary life.</p><p style="text-align:center;">As I now leave behind the echoes of complaints<br />The struggles of ego in the hall of constraints<br />I recall my time here one of introspection<br />Of intense pondering and of liberation</p><p style="text-align:center;">Long I sat by myself in silence and darkness<br />One by one noticing the causes of distress<br />Observing unmoving ever firm in my oath<br />Persistence consistent is rewarded by growth</p><p style="text-align:center;">On the way there's a man playing on the tabla<br />The master gatekeeper singing his enigma<br />The question is no test but rather a message<br />Telling me the ordeal was a rite of passage</p><p style="text-align:center;">Just a few steps away from the ordinary<br />I pause for one last glimpse of my sanctuary<br />The shelter dissolving having served its function<br />The master and the gate fading to oblivion</p><p style="text-align:center;">Different from the rest eccentric by nature<br />I had spent my whole life avoiding the matter<br />Once to burn sensitive of the whirl centrifuge<br />I return to the world may it be my refuge</p><p>"<em>If you live the sacred and despise the ordinary, you are still bobbing in the ocean of delusion.</em>" – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linji">Lin-Chi</a></p><p style="border-width:1px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-color:#AAAAAA;font-size:x-small;">The Music Of Poligraf series are reposts of writings and demo audio clips that have been originally published on The Goal Was So Near from November 2008 to April 2009, made available for those who missed the original Clip Of The Day series.</p></div>Integration (The Chrome Lake part 7 - revisited)https://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/integration-the-chrome-lake2011-07-22T22:14:58.000Z2011-07-22T22:14:58.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://poligraf.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/444px-4-cube_horribly_scrambled.png?w=444" alt="444px-4-cube_horribly_scrambled.png?w=444" /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">(Based on « <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:4-cube_horribly_scrambled.png">4D virtual 3x3x3x3 sequential move puzzle, scrambled</a> » by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Spinningspark">SpinningSpark</a>)</span></p><br /><div align="center"><object height="24" width="290" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="" value="" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="playerID=audioplayer&soundFile=http://k002.kiwi6.com/uploads/hotlink/n6378h388b" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" height="24" width="290" src="http://kiwi6.com/swf/player.swf" allowscriptaccess="never" flashvars="playerID=audioplayer&soundFile=http://k002.kiwi6.com/uploads/hotlink/n6378h388b" id="audioplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object></div><br /><p>« Integration » is the seventh and final chapter of « The Chrome Lake. »</p><br /><p>This instrumental section starts on a chaotic solo piano part which is soon backed up by the rhythm section that plays up the oddness and dissonance. The intent here is to convey the impression of having too many pieces to fit in a puzzle, combined with an urge to complete it.</p><br /><p>The disarray slowly gives way to order and steady forward movement until the piece concludes on a peaceful release signifying the successful completion of the integration.</p><br /><p>Perhaps we'll add vocals to this one. In any event, here are the accompanying verses.</p><br /><p><em>a time i can recall<br />when everything fitted<br />symmetry wall to wall<br />no pieces omitted<br />not<br /><br />the whole code i had cracked<br />the sky i was kissing<br />unaware of the fact<br />that something was missing<br />then<br /><br />coming back from the past<br />forgotten episode<br />left me torn and aghast<br />made the structure implode<br />boom<br /><br />out of place in my quilt<br />this memory unheard<br />everything i had built<br />had to be dismembered<br />doom<br /><br />alive and dissected<br />the puzzle a complex<br />which parts were infected<br />the process did perplex<br />pain<br /><br />constantly suffering<br />a life disassembled<br />an entire being<br />so horribly scrambled<br />death<br /><br />from the insanity<br />a new picture emerged<br />enhanced humanity<br />and composure resurged<br /><br />revealing the affair<br />clarity had returned<br />no punishment unfair<br />but healing i had earned<br /><br />lotus out of the dirt<br />graceful evolution<br />letting go of the hurt<br />careful reconstruction<br /><br />the sand in the oyster<br />seed of pearly treasure<br />soothing words of nacre<br />poetry of nature<br /><br />patient needles of time<br />all of the stitches knit<br />until moment sublime<br />when all the pieces fit<br /></em></p><br /><p align="center">·</p><br /><p style="font-style:italic;font-size:x-small;border:1px solid #AAAAAA;">« The Chrome Lake » is 12-minute long suite in seven sections that constitutes the core middle chapter of a trilogy entitled « Entering The Stream » which depicts a life-changing retreat of soul-searching, triggered by a one-too-many outburst of accumulated dissatisfaction with the way one's life is going.<br /> <br />The title of the suite was inspired by Voivod's « X-Ray Mirror » from their « Nothingface » album :<br /><br />I can't believe I am the image<br />Within the mirror<br />Into the chrome lake<br />The glass is broken<br />But I look the same</p></div>The Music Of Poligraf : The Chrome Lake part 5https://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/the-music-of-poligraf-the-32009-09-01T14:46:34.000Z2009-09-01T14:46:34.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" /></p><div align="center"><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="100" flashvars="song_label=converted-poligraf.tcl.pt5_converted.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/hnwcqd7qmgtpt0qixyal/5cb32d32025444e2791a29a3260f847467c90c3c/32972050-b2f2-012b-e9f8-f7f6f943e39a/2ea6d180-b2f3-012b-f7fa-f73555a9d042/v2/content&autoplay=false" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></div><p>"Introspection II" is the fifth section, and second with vocals, of "The Chrome Lake." And as is the case for its almost-but-not-identical twin "Introspection I," the subject matter is pretty much self-explanatory.</p><p><strong>Verse</strong><br />I see you feel restrained, mechanized, dehumanized<br />I see you feel estranged, incomplete, dissatisfied<br />Anything for a refuge, an island for your mind, a flight, a break<br />No amount of diversion or substance will ever dissolve the lake<br /><br />Low confidence, you can't make a move without a guide<br />Right now should you laugh or cry ? Live or die ? Can't even decide ?<br />The choice is so easy if only through my eyes for once you'd see<br />You can break down your wall or endure all that will be<br /><br />You wanted advice ?<br />It's about time you showed<br /><br /><strong>Chorus</strong><br />Another you - the true you<br />Afraid of the way they will see<br />The one who hides inside<br />Another you - let them see<br />The flame in your heart<br />Shine<br />If you try you can end your misery</p><p style="border-width:1px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-color:#AAAAAA;font-size:x-small;">The Music Of Poligraf series are reposts of writings and audio clips that have been originally published on The Goal Was So Near from November 2008 to April 2009, made available for those who missed the original Clip Of The Day series.</p></div>The Music Of Poligraf : The Chrome Lake part 3https://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/the-music-of-poligraf-the-22009-08-15T23:17:26.000Z2009-08-15T23:17:26.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" width="444" height="449" /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">("Introspection" by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alberto_Baumann">Alberto Baumann</a>)</span></p><div align="center"><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="100" flashvars="song_label=converted-poligraf.tcl.pt3_converted.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/555mrqphp7wlgxx2n7tx/bc5d741e551faf57bae166c86b1ee8e3ef223d24/f23615e0-a254-012b-be61-f7df11d64e5b/0410bb20-a25d-012b-b197-fc5187fca60a/v2/content&autoplay=false" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></div><p>"Introspection I" is the third part, and first vocal section, of "The Chrome Lake," which itself constitutes the core middle chapter of the "Entering The Stream" trilogy.</p><p>The title of the whole suite was inspired by Voivod's "X-Ray Mirror" from their "Nothingface" album :</p><blockquote>I can't believe I am the image<br />Within the mirror<br />Into the chrome lake<br />The glass is broken<br />But I look the same</blockquote><p>The present part's subject matter is, as implied by its title, looking into oneself. Here are the lyrics :</p><p><strong>Verse</strong><br />I see you're down you know you can always confide in me<br />Over your head in haze, I will always reflect the true story<br />The picture that I see may not be complete but just the same<br />Since you don't open up, I'll start, it's a part of our game<br /><br />The one I see before me is lost, it's not a pretty sight<br />A living dead, a ghost, a black hole starving for some light<br />I see you feel ignored, exploited, always out of breath<br />I see you feel damaged, depressed, contemplating death<br /><br />It's too hard on your nerves to recall who you must be<br />The way you must behave to please, please everyone you see<br />You don't know who you are, you just try to fit their scheme<br />You even let your mind become slave, slave to their dream<br />Looking for advice it's about time you found<br /><br /><strong>Chorus</strong><br />Another you - the real you<br />Afraid of the way they will see<br />The one who hides inside<br />Another you - let them see<br />The flame in your heart<br />Shine<br />Only you can end your misery</p><p style="border-width:1px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-color:#AAAAAA;font-size:x-small;">The Music Of Poligraf series are reposts of writings and audio clips that have been originally published on The Goal Was So Near from November 2008 to April 2009, made available for those who missed the original Clip Of The Day series.</p></div>The Music Of Poligraf : The Chrome Lake part 7https://my.yoga-vidya.org/profiles/blogs/the-music-of-poligraf-the2009-08-04T23:00:00.000Z2009-08-04T23:00:00.000ZChristopher Stewarthttps://my.yoga-vidya.org/members/ChristopherStewart<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="" alt="" width="444" height="296" /><br /><span style="font-size:x-small;">(<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Integrationsweltkugel.jpg">Globe of Integration</a> by Eugen Hofbauer, Herbert Kalleitner, and Susi Müller. Photo by Manfred Kielnhofer)</span></p><div align="center"><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/stlth/static/production/swf/audio_controller.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="100" flashvars="song_label=converted-poligraf.the.chrome.lake.pt7_converted.mp3&music_track=http://drop.io/download/public/cvxbie6drnpobsjr84hm/524b0c8f1d4f81f376419cc4557beef67beb5bf9/4c000170-94f6-012b-a6a6-f938125d14bd/8de6ea20-94f7-012b-71ff-f09b272e3bad/v2/content&autoplay=false" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></div><p>“The Chrome Lake” is the core middle part of “Entering The Stream,” the trilogy which begins with "Into The Ashram" and is completed by "Leaving The Ashram."</p><p>Lasting a little over 12 minutes, the suite comprises seven sections identified as follows :</p><ul><li>1. Introversion</li><li>2. Intervention</li><li>3. Introspection I</li><li>4. Introspectrumental I</li><li>5. Introspection II</li><li>6. Introspectrumental II</li><li>7. Integration</li></ul><p>“Integration” starts on a chaotic solo piano part which is soon backed up by the rhythm section that plays up the oddness and dissonance, intending to give the impression of having too many pieces to fit in a puzzle combined with an urge to complete it. The disarray slowly gives way to order and steady forward movement until the piece concludes on a peaceful release signifying the completion of the integration.</p><p style="border-width:1px 0px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-color:#AAAAAA;font-size:x-small;">The Music Of Poligraf series are reposts of writings and audio clips that have been originally published on The Goal Was So Near from November 2008 to April 2009, made available for those who missed the original Clip Of The Day series.</p></div>