I just thought the title would be fun.  If you haven’t guessed it, I’m a spiritual person who loves various types of music.  I don’t feel the need to listen to only New Age or soothing music.  I like all kinds of music, especially punk rock, rockabilly, and psychobilly.

Last Sunday, November 18, my husband and I had tickets to see Wayne Dyer the first part of the day.  We also had concert tickets to see Nekromantix, the Koffin Kats, and the Chop Tops play together on one stage.  So, yes, we wore black band t-shirts to go see Dr. Wayne’s lecture.

Dr. Wayne lectured on his new book, Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.  I have seen him on PBS many times, but always wanted to see him lecture live.  He’s very dynamic, inspiring, and funny.  I especially appreciate spiritual teachers with a sense of humor.  If a teacher does not have at least a small sense of humor, I run the other way.

Dr. Wayne’s new book is comprised of essays from a modern perspective on each verse of the ancient Tao Te Ching.  The wisdom of the Tao predates Christianity.  I highly resonated with Dr. Wayne’s introduction in the lecture.  He said that the lecture was about spirituality, which is a sharing versus religion.  When people talk about religion he said, they tend to argue.  He also pointed out that the Tao is about Oneness–once you name it something, it becomes two, not one.  I love that! 

The lecture was filled with so many insights.  It takes a while to ingest them and process them all.  I also find that I remember the specifics of the lecture when I’m faced with a life issue and remember a piece of the wisdom.  That is actually how it has been reading Dr. Wayne’s book.  Every time I read a chapter, it feels the chapter relates to me in a big and specific way.  I love to have these confirmations in my daily life.

A favorite story from Dr. Wayne’s lecture was about a woman whose check bounced after she wrote him a check for books at his event.  Dr. Wayne’s daughter Serena told the story on stage among others in a brief section about what it was like to be Dr. Wayne’s daughter.  Serena is funny and honest, besides being down-to-earth.  Serena thought they should get the books back from the woman, but Dr. Wayne felt the woman needed more help, so they sent her more books.  That astounded me, but I smiled.  I know the lesson is to give love where it is needed.  And, well, nowadays, many need so much love.  That is how I aspire to live.  I want to choose love in my interactions with others, despite the fact my human ego says otherwise or has other ideas about how to deal with people.

In the break, Dr. Wayne signed books.  I was with my hubby in line.  Two larger, taller people bumped in front of me.  I know that hubby and I were silently thinking, “Oh, man, they just don’t get the message.”  So, here’s a chance to practice the Tao I thought.  I just stood there with my book open with a smile and eventually, Dr. Wayne signed it.  I was not attached to getting it signed though–I enjoy meeting authors, but that is not why I go to lectures or classes.

Filled with joy and love, we left the lecture, heading for Detroit proper for our concert.  I have seen Nekromantix and Chop Tops play together before in Detroit.  I absolutely loved Chop Tops’ set.  They are a great neorockabilly band from Santa Cruz, California.  I just love any band with a Gretsch guitar–I’m a bit biased that way.  I enjoyed chatting with their merch guy about surfing in Northern California.  I enjoyed talking to everyone in line that night for t-shirts–good people for sure.

The Koffin Kats hail from Metro Detroit, so it was real treat to see them play a long set.  They don’t like to categorize their music according to any genre.  I guess the closest genre would be psychobilly–the punk and rockabilly hybrid.  We’ve seen them open up for other acts, but this was the first full set we’ve seen.  Talk about energy!  I am astounded by the talent and energy of this band.  Vic, the lead singer plays electric upright bass.  Vic is super outgoing and friendly with fans before and after gigs. They are a band who care about their fans and it was very cool that Vic took the time to come shake our hands after the entire show ended.  It is amazing to be thanked by a band for supporting them–I always felt it was my job to do the thanking.  And, gosh, some spiritual folks would be scared to even come to this show.  All I could see and experience was kind, friendly, genuine people.  It rocked!

Nekromantix played last since they were the head-liner.  They currently live in Southern California, but hail originally from Denmark.  Kim Nekroman the lead singer and bassist plays this very cool-looking coffin bass.  Yes, you guessed it!  Psychobilly bands sing about things that are the themes of B grade horror flicks.  It’s a controlled kind of scary.  It’s a fun escape from the even more scary aspects of the real world.  And, well, it gets your attention, doesn’t it?  It’s fun too. 

If it’s fun, to me, it’s spiritual.  I enjoy music so much.  There is nothing to me like a live show.  Live music brings a special energy or quality.  It is special.

I thought about the next bit and laughed really hard.  I think that many spiritual authors and teachers are similar to rock stars in what they do.  It’s just packaged differently for a different audience.  I can see and feel the similarities though.  I know that some may disagree, but that is okay too.

Love and light,

Lisa