DLM # 159 The Sovereign Psyche (Or Why Texting Sucks)

Here is a video that clearly shows why we are dying, psychologically. Why our souls are dying even as we make sure to take down all other living beings with us. If I waggle my finger in everyone’s face this week, it’s because our babyish ways are irresponsible, we need to grow up, stat.

For this week’s music, I’ve decided to start offering musical assignments. Please download Beethoven’s final symphony onto your phone, then go out into the woods with headphones, or or the desert, or the river, somewhere away from humans and the digital world. While you listen to the symphony, collect leaves, rocks, twigs, whatever winks at you, and then build a mandala on the ground. Make a square, then put a circle in the middle of it. Then embellish and decorate it in any way you like. Say a prayer for the soul of the world, the anima mundi. This process will take a bit over an hour. Then make a pact that you will do something beautiful and non-digital like this every week come hell or high water. Don’t take a picture of your mandala. Don’t upload it to social media or text it to anyone. Let it be a secret ritual of between you and the cosmos, mixed together in silent and loving solitude.

DLM # 152 Moonday Sermons

I like the word thalassic. For music this week, look up Tom Moulton’s remixes of the Philadelphia Classics and listen to all of them, then slowly, slowly, get really into Tom Moulton.

DLM # 141 Where Is Our Volition Carrying Us?

I think it’s a pretty good sermon this week, but gentle friends, I am working on so many projects that I have no music mix again. Maria Popova speaks of the “Ode to Joy” today in her blog, so I’m inspired to listen to Beethoven’s ninth symphony in its entirety and am suggesting you do the same. When you do listen to it from beginning to end, keep in mind the lyrics that I’ve posted here for you. They will make you quake with ecstasy.

With love until next week (and scroll down for link to sermon!)

An die Freude

Freude, schöner Götterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Was die Mode streng geteilt*;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder*
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Wem der große Wurf gelungen
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Brüsten der Natur;
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben
und der Cherub steht vor Gott.

Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan
Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!
Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt
Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen.
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!
Über Sternen muß er wohnen.

Ode: To Joy

Joy, beautiful spark of Divinity [or: of gods],
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
Heavenly one, thy sanctuary!
Thy magic binds again
What custom strictly divided;*
All people become brothers,*
Where thy gentle wing abides.

Whoever has succeeded in the great attempt,
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won a lovely wife,
Add his to the jubilation!
Yes, and also whoever has just one soul
To call his own in this world!
And he who never managed it should slink
Weeping from this union!

All creatures drink of joy
At nature's breasts.
All the Just, all the Evil
Follow her trail of roses.
Kisses she gave us and grapevines,
A friend, proven in death.
Ecstasy was given to the worm
And the cherub stands before God.

Gladly, as His suns fly
through the heavens' grand plan
Journey, brothers, on your way,
Joyful, like a hero to victory.

Be embraced, Millions!
This kiss to all the world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving Father.
Are you collapsing, millions?
Do you sense the creator, world?
Seek him above the starry canopy!
Above stars must He dwell.

DLM # 132 On Finding Freedom 🌀

Good one this week, I found it very helpful.

DLM # 131 The Affirmative Hero 👑

As always, keen discernment is a golden key that can unlock many doors.

DLM # 128 Goddess Reclamation Projects 🌚

Here is a photo of Prague according to the tram system (notice the mandala-esque design), and a cool Gothic tower. Plus, this week’s wisdom and musical libations. Enjoy!

Prague-Mandala.jpeg
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DLM # 120 Growing Up Strong Like A tree

We’re often blown off course when we see the success and wealth of others and start to feel bad about ourselves. But for those seeking wisdom, the slow maturation process of a tree is a better image to emulate.

DLM # 118 Tom Brady, Archetype of Success

A little ditty on the kinds of psychological parameters that give rise to feelings of fulfillment and success in life. The word “success” has been hijacked by the greedy capitalist imagination but in my view, true success is about self-mastery.

****Also, the “Let’s f**cking go” sign-off on today’s sermon is referencing Tom Brady’s oft-repeated call to action.

A recycled music mix from the early days of my mixes, apologies, I’m juggling a lot right now but will have a new mix next week.

DLM # 116 The Sacred Ecstatic

This week’s verbal sermon is short but packs a serious punch. I had to listen to it myself several times, and each time I was transported. The music, too, is powerful and there are many gods and goddesses in there, inviting us to leave silliness behind and enter into true profundity. There is nothing like mythopoetic language and powerful music to transport us directly into connection with the divine.

DLM # 115 Personal v. Transpersonal

I have discovered recently that people other than those I have reached out to personally have discovered my sermons and have been listening to them every week, so, for those who are interested or have the need, I wanted to announce that I now offer mentoring services: https://luminositymentoring.com/

Enjoy the week and do your best to stay conscious. xo

DLM # 110 Tussling With Demons

Whenever you need to go down into the depths of profundity and sustain a lengthy sojourn there, listen to E2E4.

Also, here is the website for a scholar, Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, about whom I speak in today’s sermon: https://www.emergencenetwork.org/

DLM # 109 The Parable Of Jesus

I explore the story of Jesus being nailed on a cross between two thieves this week.

And the music is a mix of some of my favorite songs from past mixes for a demo tape. I was planning on becoming a broadcaster at a radio station in northern California, but they wanted me to keep inserting inane little advertisements into my music every three seconds and I realized it wasn’t my thing.

I’m working on mixing music with sermons in a new podcast-style thing which is more in tune with my spiritual and creative obligations.

DLM # 97 What's Up With Our Fathers?

So much of our thinking requires reexamining and I would argue that the role of fathers in society is definitely one of those things.

DLM # 96 Wisdom From A Shaolin Monk

Master Shi Heng Yi gave a Ted talk about the five hindrances to total awakening. I thought they were fascinating because of their psychological specificity. All of the hindrances begin in the mind which is why I often talk about how liberation (for ourselves, for our species, and for the planet) must begin with an internal and personal struggle for freedom.

DLM # 82 The Dancer Gives No-Fear

Dancing and making personal choices about which energies to cultivate in ourselves are activities that go hand in hand. See what you make of it.