Leela Music Newsletter, October 2008

Michael Stribling
Leela Music, BMI
Newsletter, October 2008

Here's an overview of what you'll find in this issue:

• Musical Memos
• Spiritually Speaking
• Points to Ponder / In Other News
• And the Winner Is ...

***MUSICAL MEMOS***

As I mentioned last time, I ordered some new creative tools for the studio, which has resulted in some new material. (It always happens that way. New sounds lead to new tunes.) I'm not sure what direction the next CD project is taking yet; however, if I've learned anything at all, it's that the music will tell me where it wants to go. Creating music is a bit like raising plants: I just tend to them and watch the little plants grow and take their own shape. It's a very fun, organic process.

I'm also plugging along on developing a sister site for Leela Music that will essentially center around free internet radio, with some extras thrown in for good measure. There are a lot of variables involved in setting up the technological part of this site, and it's taking a while to sort it all out. Initially, it will probably just feature my own music, at least until I get the hang of it. Once I get it all figured out, then I'll be inviting other artists to submit their music.

As always, I'll keep you posted.

***SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING***

What goes around, comes around.

We've all heard that expression. Some of us have been taught it is unspiritual because it's not in the Bible or because it teaches something about karma.

(Actually, the Bible does teach karma. The expression "you reap what you sow" teaches the same idea.)

I like to think that all spiritual systems discuss this idea.

This concept is also the centerpiece of the whirlwind phenomenon, "The Secret", although there the idea is presented as the law of attraction.

It's all the same thing: what you put out to the universe comes back to you.

Here's a rather long, but yummy, quote about this idea, that I like a lot:

"Let me drop this pebble into this bowl of water. You see that the vibrations caused by the pebble's coming in contact with the water radiate from that center in ever-widening circles until they reach the rim of the bowl, or outer edge of the water; where, to the eye, they seem to lose their force and stop.

"What really happens is this. As soon as the vibrations have reached the limits of the water, they start on their return journey back to the place where the pebble entered the water; and they do not tarry until they reach that center.

"This exactly represents every thought or word we think or speak. The thought or word sets in motion certain vibrations that go out and on, in ever-widening circles, until they compass the universe. Then they return as they went forth, to the one that sent them out.

"Every thought or word we think or speak, be it good or bad, returns to us as certainly as we send it forth" (_Life and Teaching of the Masters of the East_, Baird Spalding, vol. 1, p. 148).

Let us be more mindful of the thoughts and actions we send forth to the universe (and everyone in it).

What goes around, comes around.

***POINTS TO PONDER / IN OTHER NEWS***

What Love Means (part 1)
Touching words from the mouth of babes

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds: "What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined See what you think:

• "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8


• "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4


• "Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5


• "Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6


• "Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4


• "Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7


• "Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8

(to be continued next month)

*** AND THE WINNER IS ... ***

Every issue, I give away a free CD (autographed, of course :-). If you're on the mailing list, you're automatically entered in every drawing. This month, the winner is Bill Walter. Congratulations!

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That's it for this issue. Feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you liked, or didn't like, in this issue, and any recommendations or requests you have for future editions.

Thank you for your support. Please invite your friends to visit my website and sign the guestbook. Oh yeah, it's okay to order some CDs, too! They make wonderful gifts :-).

I also have a page on MySpace.com. Have a look and join the list of friends at www.myspace.com/leelamusic

I wish you peace, joy, and love.

Namasté,

Michael Stribling
www.leela-music.com

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