So, in trying to get my Mimsey back to where it used to play, I’ve decided to go back to a technique that has worked for me in the past, but that I haven’t used in nearly 5 years. Partly because my life has been so hectic, but also because I simply let the habit lapse. And indeed, habit is part of why it worked.
And yes, the hectic nature of my life is partly my own doing, but if we do not make time, how will we ever have time? (The only good thing to come out of the second Matrix movie) If 30 minutes can be spared, at the same rough time of day, who know what could happen? 3 10-minute bursts, 3 points of focus, 3 disciplines. I work in 3’s. It’s what I do.
- 1. Instruments. Nothing gets the juices flowing like picking up my Guinevere and Agnes (yes, my Mandolin’s name is Guinevere, and my Mandola’s name is Agnes). Doesn’t matter the song or tune, doesn’t matter if I’m doing solo practice and revisions or just screwing around, 10 minutes with an instrument in my hand. 1 instrument only. Splitting focus in a 10-minute span fractures the mind. 1 focus. 1 burst. Limited time, so I have to work hard to cram in the needed practice. This is separate from song-writing with Eric. This isn’t about creation. This is about maintenance.
- 2. Focused Meditation. This is the tricky one. This is the basis of previous study, but it also requires a quiet, uninterrupted environment. Tough to do when 2 kids and 2 cats are running about, but I have a plan. I have a basement with a finished room that rarely gets used right now. Instant sanctuary space. I’m surrounded by instruments; I need only set up the altar downstairs.
- 3. Free association writing. A single subject, a 10-minute burst of free writing. Anything goes, no sentence structure, no need to connect the thoughts, simply get them all down. 1 subject, every thought that comes to mind. A different subject every day. This was the basic technique used for my previous element work. 4 blog posts later….
I’ve decided to do my first series of writing subjects on the Tarot. I did a dry run on the major Arcana as a whole and it was…jumbled. I also tried doing the ace of each suit, but it just ended up a secondary rendering of my previous elemental works. I need fresh subjects, so off to each Major Arcana in turn! I have pulled my first three subjects: the Devil, the Moon, and The Wheel of Fortune. These are the three archtypes/concepts running through my brain for the next few days. This should be an interesting ride….
