Symbolic Living » music

The Book of Mormon Broadway Musical

Symbolic Living — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:52:01 +0000

The Broadway hit musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ was imagined by ‘South Park’ and ‘Team America’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone as well as Robert Lopez. The satire musical has two young Mormon Latter Day Saints missionaries visit a village in Uganda in an attempt to share their beliefs with the local warlords.

Winning nine Tony Awards, The Book of Mormon is undeniably a huge hit, with a video release last month (May, 2011).

The Book of Mormon takes the the two missionaries through trials and tribulations in their overzealous intent to teach the local Ugandan people about Mormonism in the hopes of converting them.

For an upbeat, fun, satirical look at the idea’s, beliefs and faith in God, The Book of Mormon is guaranteed to entertain.

Tony Awards 2011 performance.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Living for Peace.

Symbolic Living — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:29:50 +0000

John Lennon was a symbol of peace and artistry lived and loved. Celebrating life by living his intended purpose to transform consciousness through his art, Lennon was an activist of love and freedom.

Watch and see an inside look into the life of John Lennon and his love, Yoko Ono and their journey together as they desired for positive change.

Five Days in 1969 (an early version of reality tv).

Enjoy the clips.

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Burning Man Festival 2010

Symbolic Living — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:19:21 +0000

Burning Man Festival is kicking off today in the Black Rock (Nevada) Desert with the climactic “Burning of the Man” on Saturday September 4. The Burning Man is symbolic of as many things as there are people who participate, unique to each individuals imagination.

A collection of wide interests in art and culture and freedom of self expression is revealed in all who participate. Clothing is optional.

This years theme of the Burning Man Festival is Metropolis: The Life Of Cities.

Excerpt from Molly Steenson’s essay on Burning Man

You belong here and you participate. You’re not the weirdest kid in the classroom — there’s always somebody there who’s thought up something you never even considered. You’re there to breathe art. Imagine an ice sculpture emitting glacial music — in the desert. Imagine the man, greeting you, neon and benevolence, watching over the community. You’re here to build a community that needs you and relies on you.

You’re here to survive. What happens to your brain and body when exposed to 107 degree heat, moisture wicking off your body and dehydrating you within minutes? You know and watch yourself. You drink water constantly and piss clear. You’ll want to reconsider drinking that alcohol (or taking those other substances) you brought with you — the mind-altering experience of Burning Man is its own drug. You slather yourself in sunblock before the sun’s rays turn up full blast. You bring enough food, water, and shelter because the elements of the new planet are harsh, and you will find no vending.

You’re here to create. Since nobody at Burning Man is a spectator, you’re here to build your own new world. You’ve built an egg for shelter, a suit made of light sticks, a car that looks like a shark’s fin. You’ve covered yourself in silver, you’re wearing a straw hat and a string of pearls, or maybe a skirt for the first time. You’re broadcasting Radio Free Burning Man — or another radio station.

You’re here to experience. Ride your bike in the expanse of nothingness with your eyes closed. Meet the theme camp — enjoy Irrational Geographic, relax at Bianca’s Smut Shack and eat a grilled cheese sandwich. Find your love and understand each other as you walk slowly under a parasol. Wander under the veils of dust at night on the playa.

You’re here to celebrate. On Saturday night, we’ll burn the Man. As the procession starts, the circle forms, and the man ignites, you experience something personal, something new to yourself, something you’ve never felt before. It’s an epiphany, it’s primal, it’s newborn. And it’s completely individual.

find out more at BurningMan.com

Check out the infamous Metropolis here

To catch a glimpse of Burning man, check out this brief overview.

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Madonna Birthday Leo

Symbolic Living — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:46:08 +0000

Madonna is all grown up. At 52 today, August 16, Madonna is still going strong in her career. Madonna celebrated her birthday Saturday night night at the Shoreditch House in London.

Focusing on film directing, and a string of fashion shoots from Dolce & Gabbana, Luis Vuitton, Versace and more, Madonna is continuing to enjoy her career and her relationship with young 23 year old Jesus Luz. She hasn’t been working on Music recently because her time is consumed with film.

Madonna continues to practice and study Kabbalah and is an active member of the Kabbalah Center. Her love of philosophy, spirituality and the meaning of life is evident throughout her music career.

She’s currently working on a new film W.E.

Madonna explained to Interview, “Yeah, [it's] the movie everyone thinks I’m making that’s supposed to be a musical about the duke and duchess of Windsor. I don’t know why that got in the newspapers. The duke and duchess of Windsor are in the movie, but it’s not going to be about them. It’s really about this other woman’s journey, and the duchess is kind of her spiritual guide… I use the Sotheby’s auction in 1998 of the duke and duchess of Windsor’s estate as a device to flash backward from.”

She added, “I’ve been writing it for the last two and a half years, to tell you the truth. It’s been kind of an obsession of mine. I started writing it when I finished filming [2008 directorial debut] Filth and Wisdom. It was actually an idea I had before that, but I made Filth and Wisdom because I realized that I didn’t really have a right to make a bigger film until I made a smaller film — and learned how to make a film.”

Happy Birthday Madonna.

Astrology Quicky:

Madonna was born a Leo on August 16, 1958 at 7:05am in Bay City, Michigan.

Sun in Leo in the 12th house

Moon in Virgo (Ascendant) in the 1st house

Mercury in Virgo in the 12th house

Venus in Leo in the 11th house

Mars in Taurus in the 9th house

Jupiter in Libra in the 2nd house

Saturn in Sagittarius (ret.) in the 4th house

Uranus in Leo in the 12th house

Neptune in Scorpio in the 3rd house

Pluto in Virgo in the 1st house

Madonna’s astrology chart shows clear signs of her personality. A lot of her planets are hanging around her 12th house and ascendant, with Sun in Leo and Moon in Virgo, there’s a lot of evidence for her need and desire to express herself artistically, sexually with a lot of focus on mysticism, and spirituality. Her Saturn in Sagittarius shows a lot of her connection in terms of origins of religion and her sense of responsibility to continue going deeper into her beliefs and search for deeper meaning. She has a natural desire to study philosophy and search for inner wisdom. Being born into Catholocism, it’s no surprise she’s felt a strong connection to religion from an early age (4th house). Pluto and Mercury in the 1st house, shows further emphasis on taking the symbolism of the Virgin and moving it beyond it’s limits. Venus in Leo, there’s no surprise there either with her iconic persona and glamorous beauty. Although excesses have done her well, there is a tipping point and she should keep her plastic surgery balanced. Jupiter in Libra in the 2nd house is a sure sign she loves to make money and is very good at it. With an average income of at least $50 million per year, she definitely knows how to build success. She has a prominent materialistic side and success is hers when she wants it.

Light is fearlessness.
Light is compassion.
Light is all giving and it’s, it’s immortality.
It’s a place where there’s no chaos, no pain and no suffering.

Light is the laws of the universe.
You can do things to connect to it, or you can disconnect.
That’s what I say I fear… disconnecting.

~ Madonna

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Courtney Love. Behind the Music.

Symbolic Living — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Courtney Love is a quintessential example one who’s life has come to symbolize Rock-Star through and through. Her big break into the mainstream happened in combination with her band Hole and husband Kurt Cobain in the early 90′s. Marriage to Kurt and his death catapulted her career proving her to be a force to be reckoned with.

Her life is exciting, daring, scary, wild and raw. Full of ups and downs, strong convictions, lots of screaming, drugs, cigarettes, makeup, music and always seeming to be battling someone in court over something about her or Kurt, she’s always hard at work keeping her life and career moving. Her brand, “Crazy Bitch”.

Always controversial, love her or hate her, she’s become an icon and symbol of our generation for freedom of expression and the raw reality of Rock and Roll living. The documentary Behind the Music says it all.

We had posted a video about Courtney Love’s Buddhist practices including chanting and yoga, however the video has been removed from youtube and can no longer be found. If you find one, send us a link please.

Astrology Quicky:

Courtney Love was born July 9th, 1964 at 2:08pm in San Fransisco

After watching this documentary you’ll notice Courtney fits the qualities of Cancer with a hard exterior but has a lot of emphasis on her softer, emotional side within.

Sun and Moon in Cancer in her 9th house

Mercury in Leo in her 10th house

Venus and Mars in Gemini in her 8th house

Jupiter in Taurus in her 7th house

Saturn retrograde in Pisces in her 5th house

Uranus and Pluto in Virgo in her 11th house

Neptune retrograde in Scorpio in her 1st house (Ascendant)

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Now – Dave Carroll

Symbolic Living — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:22:07 +0000

Beautiful Song. Enjoy.

Now

When there’s no way out there’s still a way through
So don’t give up whatever you do
Surrender to moments and things as they are
From the gaps in your catch-22’s
When there’s no way out there’s still a way through

Cause Now’s all there is
So peaceful and still
In Now you don’t worry ‘bout what’s happened or what will
Cause Now never ends
And Now’s never been
And all of your answers are waiting for you here Now

When your world stands tough and weighin’ you down
And you’ve had enough of this merry-go-round
End your resistance to walls you won’t move
And runnin’ through old déjà vu’s
When there’s no way out there’s still a way through

And when you don’t understand
How things got so far away from all you planned
And your life it feels so hard
In your fragile house of cards
Turn to your cornerstone when you’re tired and feel alone
To find your way through

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K-OS – The Rain, Hallelujah

Symbolic Living — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:58:39 +0000

K-OS. An artist with meaning in his lyrics.

Enjoy, music for the Soul. This video featured in our column.

The Rain

You say you love me
But then you turn and walk away
All for love
Not even born yesterday
I see you on the streets
And you just pass me by
You think I got no feelings
Think I’m living high
But let me tell ya
I could be on the TV
I could be in them magazines
But it’s never enough
When you felt the touch
Of an angel that’s rocking your soul

When the rain comes down
You’re never around
But when the sun comes up
You always steal the fire
And rain comes down
On this side of town
But people have no feelings
They just run around

They just, they just
We keep chasing dollars
It’s making me holler
I just don’t know
I don’t need a check
I need some respect
So people you know
And the war
And the babies crying
And the car
And the house
And the rings
And the things that don’t mean nothing
You could try to hate
‘Cause if I am right your right down
But I’m here to elevate
I’ll be floating in outer space now

When the rain comes down
Will you be around?
When the sun comes up
Will you always steal my fire?
And rain comes down
On this side of town
But people have no feelings
People

Hallelujah

I walk down these city streets
Just a lonely man inspired
Hoping God will send me water down
To quench this burning fire
If i left here for the mountain
A monastery man
Things will stay the same so I’ll remain
And show just who I am
Seeing things around me
Bonnie and Clyde
Graffiti with no message
Doctors, medicines, or pride
But it doesn’t really matter
They’re blowin’ in the wind
On the cover of a magazine

Hallelujah
Babylon is falling
Babylon is falling

I try to wash my dirty hands
But they won’t come off the water
Hopin’ truth will make me clean and then
Redeem my sons and daughters
Though they’re not yet on the very highway
Pass along below
That’s why I left my memories far behind the lazy road
Seems so simple
Future’s the past
The present all the things we holdin’ on to make them last
But it doesn’t really maeeaahhh (matter)
Blow eeeahh (blowin in the wind)
Couuhaaahhh (with they’re head high)

Hallelujah
Babylon is falling
Babylon is falling

Ahhhhh…

Hallelujah

Man I used to be

I tried it, I couldn’t find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
ohh baby, hoo hoo
Back into the man I used to be

Things that I said I wouldn’t do, I did ‘em
Secrets below the service of truth I hid ‘em
This man kind is past, but can he erase
The tears of a million years is human race
Of animals, that talk and walk upright
Then slave all day and fall in a trance at night
Flowing the planet, trying to find missing links
Like the men we used to be and always suppose to think
Mysteries, maybe not
It’s getting hot, we better configure the plot, but
I hold a pen with the grip so tight
That’a squeeze the ink out’ta the page, and write a song for the people
Came up from the underground, now I write above on a hovercraft sound
This microphone, like an an amphetamine
Keeping me clean, speaking in dreams
So nature can intervene, just for a scene

I walk along this path alone, my feet hurt
Lost some friends along the way, I did dirt
I went to church, I tried everything
From leaving my body, to watching the birds sing
For hours, so I could feel heavenly powers
Had been across the universe and inside of flowers
But what is it worth, i’m still just a man on the earth
Rappers are acting like man tan
Can I be candid, I can’t stand it
Rap bandit, got heaven acting frantic
I wanna swing my sword decapitate

But what is a man if he acts like an ape
So I sit back, planning my great escape
Load up my EPS and peruse my record crate
The man I used to be, I can only see by looking beyond me
So what is reality, I don’t know

I tried it, I couldn’t find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
ohh baby, hoo hoo
Back into the man I used to be

wrong song
You know what
I woke up in the morning
I took a trip to the corner store
That’s when I heard my calling
But i’d never heard the voice of truth before
So I kept on walking
Pretended I didn’t see
Walked by a window and my reflection said to me
You could try all the same
But you’ll never know this mystery
There’s no pilot on your plane
So you’re not the man you used to be
Try all the game, but you’ll never know this mystery
When your pilot has no plane
Said you’re the man you used to be seen
Holla and ya holla, you folla you fall
Ya holler and ya holla, you folla you fall
Ya holler and ya holla, you folla you fall
Ya holler and ya holla, you folla you fall
Ya holler and ya holla, you folla you fall
Ya holler and ya holla, you folla you fall
Yo, microphones get ripped holding us back
K dash rocking it out, rocking the cold style
Making it up, go along singing my song
Woke up, in the early morn didn’t know what was going on
Whatever, I don’t really know
Flows like an immaculate goat what up, whatever

Check out Sunday Morning

Other songs by K-OS recommended.

Dance in your car is hard to find for a listen online, but worth a listen if you find it.

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Fallen

Symbolic Living — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:40:29 +0000

Another selection we’ve featured in our column for your enjoyment and reflection.

Heaven bend to take my hand
And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight

Truth be told I’ve tried my best
But somewhere along the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
And the cost was so much more than I could bear

Though I’ve tried, I’ve fallen…
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don’t come round here
And tell me I told you so…

We all begin with good intent
Love was raw and young
We believed that we could change ourselves
The past could be undone
But we carry on our backs the burden
Time always reveals
In the lonely light of morning
In the wound that would not heal
It’s the bitter taste of losing everything
That I’ve held so dear.

I’ve fallen…
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don’t come round here
And tell me I told you so…

Heaven bend to take my hand
Nowhere left to turn
I’m lost to those I thought were friends
To everyone I know
Oh they turn their heads embarrassed
Pretend that they don’t see
But it’s one missed step
One slip before you know it
And there doesn’t seem a way to be redeemed

Though I’ve tried, I’ve fallen…
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don’t come round here
And tell me I told you so…

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Metropolis

Symbolic Living — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:15:51 +0000

Metropolis is a classic German film by Fritz Lang made in 1927, depicting life in 2026. This film is considered well ahead of it’s time, much like 1984 was considered to be.

Many modern interprations are credited to Metropolis in the ideology of the human being turning bionic. We can see in Christina Aguilera’s new album Bi-on-ic, this theme continues to be prevalent in the music industry. Beyonce and Kylie Minogue also have donned appearances as bionic, transformed women. Lady Gaga’s stage name is rumored to be from Queen’s Radio Ga Ga which features portions of Metropolis. Conspiracy theorists do point to a underlying message in the music industry revealing a higher echelon working behind the scenes with the desire to turn humans into part human part robot tapped into the system by microchips.

Christina Aguilera Bionic

Beyonce Robot Metropolis

Is there something to it? As we get further into the future we are depending on electronics immensely for nearly all activities in our civilization. Without them, could we survive?

Are we becoming too dependent on technology?

The film depicts the wealthy and privileged living off the underclass.

Metropolis is an absolute must see Silent film (with musical score), storyline and plot conveyed mainly through visual display and dramatic music. This film has non-English subtitles but is understood through it’s visual depictions.

Watch the Review Here

Fritz Lang’s science fiction epic Metropolis was made in Germany in 1927, when German cinema was among the world’s finest.

The story takes place in a city of the future – the year is 2026 – when workers slave and live underground while, above them in a modern city, the wealthy literally feed off them.

A film that has influenced science fiction movies ever since, Metropolis has invariably been seen in less than pristine copies that have been edited and shortened for a variety of reasons (a few years ago there was the Giorgio Moroder version).

But now the original 124 minute version has been restored by the German Murnau Foundation, and it’s possible to see this milestone of cinema in the best conditions possible. If you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a remarkable experience; if you’ve only ever seen truncated versions, it will be like seeing it for the first time ~ by David Stratton. SBS Films.

Enjoy the Movie.

Full Length with English Subtitles

Click here to view the embedded video.

Full Film with Spanish Subtitles

Queen’s Radio Ga Ga uses footage from Metropolis.

Conversation with Fritz Lang and Willian Friedkin

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City and Colour – Waiting

Symbolic Living — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:19:01 +0000

Music makes you feel good. Enjoy it.

City and Colour – Waiting…

Lyrics

A coma might feel better than this,
attempting to discover where to begin.
You’re weighed down, you’re full of something.
Of sickness, and desertion.
You’re weighed down, you’re full of something,
you’re underneath it all.

So say goodbye to love,
and hold your head up high.
There’s no need to rush
we’re all just waiting, waiting to die.

Hoping a better place is all I need,
with moments of innocence and mystery.
Oh, it’s the little things you miss.
Like waking up all alone.
Oh, it’s the little things you miss,
when you’re underneath it all.

So say goodbye to love,
and hold your head up high.
There’s no need to rush
we’re all just waiting, waiting to die.

All your friends seem like enemies
when you’re broken down and empty.
All your friends seem like enemies
when you’re broken down and empty.

So say goodbye to love,
and hold your head up high.
There’s no need to rush
we’re all just waiting, waiting to die.