Tonglen - Sending & Receiving☟
Developed by Tibetan Buddhists, Tonglen (translated to ‘sending and receiving) is a meditation practice + breathing technique for connecting with suffering - our own and that which surrounds us. Through Tonglen we visualize taking in the pain of others with every in-breath and sending out whatever will benefit them on the out-breath.
In a year defined by tremendous pain, loss and suffering, I have found Tonglen to be a consistent means to step outside myself and practice both self-love and love for others. In addition to direct action, it has helped restore my sense of connection in the age of social distance.
If you’re reading this, please know I’m sending you (through the breath) compassion and love. Believe it if you need it, if you don’t just pass it on.
Birdsong In The Canopy☟
As a long-time listener of Fred Knittel’s Folkadelphia show on WXPN, I was honored to be included (alongside some phenomenal artists) in the newsest volume of Co-Mission, an artist relief compilation started during the pandemic. The first new recording I’ve shared since the release of You Become The Mountain, ‘Birdsong in the Canopy’ is a demo that come out of a recent recording session with Ryan Oxford and features Barry Walker Jr on pedal-steel.
As I usually have a hard time releasing music that is not ‘fully realized’, I’ve set an intention this year of releasing more demos and unpolished material. This Friday is another Bandcamp Day. All proceeds made from the comp throughout the weekend will be donated to Planned Parenthood and Fair Fight, which fights for voters rights in Georgia and the rest of the USA.
New Guest Mix + Radio Show☟
Was recently invited to help launch a guest mix section of Underscore Music Magazine. The pressure was on given I was the first artist included in the series. Check out the feature + listen to my selections here. Felt Time, my bi-weekly show for Dune Buggy Radio is fast approaching double digits! Been having way too much fun putting these episodes together as it has primarily been my main avenue of for deep listening and music discovery recently. Catch up on past episodes + revisit all my guest mixes here. Next show is 10/6. If you’re a Mixcloud user, please consider giving me a follow! Flyer below by Rachele Liba.
Writing☟
For me, a well researched and executed interview is just as much an art form as writing a song or painting a picture. I have grown to love the challenge, especially the preparation phase. I’m still no expert, but I’d like to think I’m getting better with each one under my belt.
I recently had the privilege of connecting with two artists I deeply admire. Earlier this month I caught up with Max Clarke aka Cut Worms (new album for JAGJAGUWAR out 10/9) for October.
Last week I had a long conversation with Tim Heidecker for the Creative Independent. TCI is a tremendous resource for creatives of all kinds and I cannot recommend you spending time in their archive enough.
What I’m Reading,Watching and Listening To☟
Books
Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing, and Dying (Ram Dass)
Running with the Mind of Meditation (Sakyong Mipham)
Nine Ways to Cross a River: Midstream Reflections on Swimming and Getting There from Here (Akiko Busch)
Movies, Television
Search Party (HBO)
Kid From Coney Island (Netflix)
The Social Dilemma (Netflix)
Albums
Arbouretum - Let It All In (Thrill Jockey)
Ezra Feinberg - Recumbent Speech (Related States)
Trummors - Dropout City (Ernest Jenning Record Co).
Gratitude☟
Thank you for being here. Here’s a quick list of what I’m grateful for in this moment:
-black coffee
-clean air
-old friends
What about you?
Thank you for doing this, Jeffrey! A very refreshing and healthy email to receive.