gavin-greive‘The rhythm of life is a powerful beat’

It’s important when we realize the heartbeat is the most fundamental rhythm we have as a physical being, it may vary in speed but if the rhythm falters, then problems occur.

In primary school I am reminded of the rhythmic movement required for the skipping rope games as up to three or four people at a time were jumping together or separately, in and out of the moving ropes. We breathe in rhythm, walk in rhythm, or going a little faster there’s rhythmic gymnastics. There are bio-rhythms, circadian rhythms and a basic rhythm that we go about our day (sleep, eat, work, socialize, study etc.). Rhythm is constantly around us; it is part of life.

Rhythm adds interest to poetry, prayer and incantations. And it can be easier to remember things when done in rhyme. Rhythms are primarily to be heard and felt. Yes, by all means visualize it. When you visualize yourself, running that race, working in that job, completing that project. What is the rhythm in the steps you must take?  Do you want it to have more of a Funk, Blues, Cuban or Classical flavor to what you do? This approach is utilized in movies where the rhythmic build up in the music and action help create the drama of love, apprehension, fear, conquering difficulties and joyous outcomes….and they also lived happily ever after!  This can in turn help us be more aware of rhythms or recurring patterns within our own hopes, fears and dreams.

In music, when you add a number of beats or notes together to form a regular repeated pattern you are creating rhythm. The beat can be measured in one bar of music but rhythm is apparent for the whole song. Some people like to work with more simple rhythms (like Dance, Club and Marching music, or Ballroom, Scottish, Square andmusical-notes-2 Line dancing). Then we have variations, especially to more sophisticated styles (such as Jazz, Flamenco, African etc.). When you look at African tribal rhythms, apart from saying ‘Here is the starting point of the song”, there really isn’t a beat #1. So in this context, rhythm is very cyclical.

There is a massive history of using Rhythm to “touch the soul or be in tune with God”, from chanting monks to genres like Gospel, African tribal and Indian classical music, song and dance. A number of music rhythms and cultures have developed from these classics such as Hip Hop, High Energy club and World music with included samples of Gospel preachers shouting at the congregation, to jazz players talking about reaching the ‘soul of music’.

We can stay more relaxed, joyous and in harmony with others when we come together with heartfelt music, song and dance. It can help us with the feeling of, tuning back into the heartbeat of the universe, and nurturing that connection between body and soul. It’s also good fun! With a more relaxed, regrouped and cleansed aura, a clearer channel with spirit can stay open to help us with interpreting the multitude of vibrations and rhythms of others that we work and fellowship with. Otherwise if we slip out of this state then our dealings can tend to work toward one of selfish convenience, non- involvement, with our own sense of ‘goodness’ feeding back on us – in other words, a tendency to want to take things more personally, moral issues or listening to others dramas without a solution, avoiding or sidelining people or projects. Things can get overwhelming when we systematically ‘forget’ to regularly stay tuned in to ourselves and the rhythms of the universe.

Rhythm is not just about shaking it up! It represents continuity and repetition – though it need not be boring.  Boredom could secretly mean we want someone to tell us what to do.

timingRhythm is about timing. Now, may be a great time to recheck timing on important ideas or projects.’ To be sure, to be sure’.

Once we understand the simpler forms (or facts) of life’s rhythm. The 1-2-3-4 beat. The,’ What, When, Where, Why,’ of our projects.  Then we can take those basics and start mixing it up with freeform confidence and improvisation. Rhythm enables creativity and gives us a grounding point. As some music can be chaotic, so can life. So it’s important to be able to go and help ourselves regroup the basics regularly in order to stay in charge of our continually changing life perspective.

Life can be like surfing a wave or playing jazz and other music. We need continual grounding in the basics …and as our confidence grows, we gain the strength and ability to play our own rhythms in our own style. We are creating our own rhythmic wave path which allows us to encourage and inspire others. You become like the stone dropped into the still pond. The electric energy of your expression once started ripples out and never ends. In the rhythm of your universe, the right place and time you’ll be, no time to be little, just conscious free.

Gavin Greive, AU