Be the Principle You Would Like to See Manifest in this World

post 33 – wisdom from Paul Mugwart

Thank you, everybody, who sent me your best wishes for my “keynote concert” presentation at the New Jersey Convention of Woman Educators this past Saturday.  It was titled, “Remembering Pete Seeger and his Use of (Folk) Music as a Tool of Education.”  I am happy to say it was a swimming success and both a growing and educational venture.

After three days of mind clearing, overeating, hours of walking and running, a few episodes of “Monk,” and a regrouping of my disparate energies, I resume my quest Looking for America. I found a chunk of it today at the Global Grace Cafe in Highland Park, New Jersey.

My friend Tony joined Paul Mugwart and me for lunch. Tony works helping “newcomers” to America navigate their new world.  He said/asked, “Spook, you’re a folk musician.  You must know how to teach newcomers the history of America and what it stands for.”

 Holy Cow!  What a loaded statement!  It’s also quite a compliment, but I raised my eyebrows and tilted my chin downward in a gesture of incredulity.

Tony said, “Well, that’s what folk music is, isn’t it?  A group of people singing together about our history and values?” 

Spook:  “That’s one definition.  One that is pretty close to mine.  It is true that I have learned more about history and social philosophy because of folk music than from any other source – especially school.”

Folk Music Used to Do the Job

Tony:  “So, how do we teach newcomers about this new country they now call home?  Folk music used to do this job – because it boiled down our history and values into simple sentences or simple stories.  People used to sing them over and over and that provided context for them to learn about their new home. 

“People have been singing together for thousands of years.  At least we used to. It was a powerful way of educating people and creating community spirit.  We used to sing in school.  Now, the first thing they cut from the school budget is the most important – the most educational.  What happened?”

{There are many reasons some traditions we’ve practiced for thousands of years have diminished greatly over the past century.  That’s a topic for another day.}

Learning Cooperation

Spook:  “In my humble opinion, I would say we learn how to cooperate by singing together.  We learn the power of group effort.  But we also learn to bring our individual talents to the group.  The individual who makes the effort may find a special unique gift they can bring to the group effort - one only they can offer.”

Tony:  “Yes.  That’s why I want to teach the newcomers songs we can all sing.  I want to see immigrants from one country connecting with newcomers from another.  Break down the walls.  And we can listen to their songs and their history, too. 

“Then we can all talk together about what these songs mean - the history and culture - how much we all have in common even though we have unique backgrounds.

Community Spirit

“I want to see more community spirit here.  So, I try to convince the rest of the group to do this and there’s just no interest.  How do I change their minds?”

{Paul Mugwart rarely speaks up when there is more than one other person present.  He does about 25 parts listening to 1 part talking.  But, he did have something to say here.  I would attribute that to the sincerity Tony showed toward his noble goal.}

Changing Hearts and Minds

Paul:  “We have neither the right nor responsibility to change anybody’s mind.  Or heart.  But what we can do is offer them the opportunity to see a different way.  It’s their choice whether they look or what they do after they look.”

Tony:  “How do you offer that opportunity?”

Paul:  “Become the embodiment of the principle you wish to see manifested.  There’s a time to focus on the accomplishment of an outward goal.  But you are part of a group and the group doesn’t agree with your outward goal.  It can cause disharmony to push for something nobody else agrees with.  Instead, double down on the inner goal.  Are you the personification of your inner goal? 

“You said you’d like to see more community spirit.  If community spirit looked like a person, would it look like you?  Become a resonating vehicle of this principle.  Remember, community spirit cannot manifest in this world unless it first resonates in us. We are the vehicles through which virtue comes into this world.”

Be the Principle

Tony:  “Are you saying Be the Change?”

Paul:  “If you want change, then be the change you wish to see.  If you want peace, be peace personified.  If you want love in your life, be a vehicle of love.  Whatever it is – Be the principle you wish to see manifest in this world.”

- Keep the Flame Alive!

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