Music and Spiritual Practice - An Overview of Poligraf
Music has been an essential part of my life since the end of the 80s.
The adventure began during the second of my four years of studying electrical engineering at Université Laval in Québec City. Through various friends and contacts I reconnected with progressive rock, a form of music to which I had already been exposed to in my youth thanks to my older brothers and sisters. Hearing the music of bands such as Yes, Rush, Genesis, and King Crimson felt like meeting old friends, and quickly I knew I just had to do as those musicians did, although my prior experience with music had been minimal at that time.
The feeling was so strong that not only did it led me to buy various instruments so I could learn how to play, but it was also the main force that made me decide to change direction after my first semester as a graduate student in computer vision and systems so I could build my life around music. And perhaps more importantly, when it became clear that I would compose music of my own, it spawned the question "what should the songs be about ?" which powered me into many years of exploring a multitude of domains of knowledge including science, philosophy, psychology, art, mysticism, and the occult.
Music for me is also spiritual practice. The inspiration and elevation it provides is undeniable, and the many insights I have had while practicing an instrument or rehearsing a part are too numerous to recount. Music picks me up when I let reason bring me down, restores my energy levels when I feel tired, sustains me through lengthy work sessions, and generally brings me to a state of inner peace and deep joy.
My objective as a musician is to communicate that energy in the hopes that listeners will experience that very same elevation and inspiration. It is also my intention to share my experiences and discoveries and thus hopefully help others reach understandings that can they can use on their own journey.
Buddhism has been an essential part of my life since the mid-90s.
The adventure began when I stumbled upon a feature in an encyclopedic dictionary that highlighted the Four Noble Truths. That finding immediately sparked my curiosity and a few days later I was buying a copy of The Dhammapada at a local bookstore. While slowly digesting the aphorisms in the weeks that followed, I found that its teachings were in continuity with a process of introspection that had begun during an introductory course on neural networks (i.e. systems designed to emulate some of the capabilities of the human brain, such as pattern recognition and associative memory), the study of which had triggered the question "what does this tell me about my own inner workings ?"
From then on I pursued my explorations and plunged into the Tibetan Book Of The Dead, which was quickly followed by various Mahayana sutras. I also bought a guide to learn how to meditate and started experimenting with the practice.
During the years that followed, I plowed through most of the major Mahayana sutras, progressively adjusted my lifestyle and behaviour to accord with the precepts, refined my meditation practice, memorized mantras, and became a vegetarian.
Meditation and mantra recitation are now part of my daily practice.
Poligraf has been an essential part of my life since its inception at the beginning of February 1998.
The adventure began after the collapse of a band that probably never really existed as it only had a handful of rehearsals, but for which I had already written a lot of material. Left alone at the helm, I connected with a group of experienced musicians via a co-worker friend and after agreeing on a general aim and formula, we raised sail and headed to the terra incognita of progressive rock.
Over its eleven years of activity in various incarnations, Poligraf has yielded enough music for three full-length albums and two conceptual EPs, but never really had a chance to officially record any of them, although some of the material has been performed on stage on various occasions.
Most of the music documents my own spiritual path and presents some of the lessons that life has taught me on the way. Some pieces are directly inspired by Buddhist texts or teachings. For instance, "Between Worlds" is directly inspired by the Tibetan Book Of The Dead, and "The Idler" and "Creeper" have been inspired by aphorisms of The Dhammapada. "Void" illustrates the Buddhist concept of emptiness, and "SubjeKctiv" serves as a reminder of the subjectivity of experience and the coextensivity of worlds. "Entering the Stream" is a suite in three chapters that depicts the trajectory of an individual fed up with the mundane who decides to retreat into an ashram for some heavy introspection before returning to the ordinary with a renewed perspective on life.
Throughout all these years, if the Mahayana has provided the vehicle, then Poligraf has certainly provided landscapes, path, and drive, while the buddhas have completed the picture with their timely, serendipitous, and often magical interventions.
I don't know why I feel so strongly about music, progressive rock, and Poligraf in particular, but I just know I do and I trust that feeling to the best of my ability. My connection to Poligraf runs so deep that whenever I let hardships or circumstances turn into reasons to believe that there's no viable future for the band, then I retreat into apathy. That is, until that unmistakable feeling breaks through the veil of confusion to drive me again. To the best of my present understanding, my own self-realization seems to be linked to that of the band, if not as the culmination of my spiritual practice, then at least as an essential stepping stone towards it.
Poligraf's first album is entitled "Samsara." Traditionally, the term refers to the Buddhist concept of the cycle of birth and death in which all beings in the universe take part and which can be escaped only through enlightenment. Personally, I agree with the view that it is rather that very same process of enlightenment, in which ups and downs are in fact the appearance of constant motion towards spiritual growth.
In accordance with that perspective, the album presents a collection of pieces that depicts the journey of an individual who faces a series of challenges through which they will experience various transcendences, on their way to a better version of themselves.
Poligraf is very much eager to spread its wings and go into recording mode. The boys in the band would be grateful if you would be kind enough to learn more about "Samsara" and listen to the demos. You're also invited to extend your support and pre-order one of the packages we have put together to that intent.
Thank you for reading thus far, and best wishes to you on your journey.
Chapter 12 : No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
The twelfth chapter of « 2206 : Window Onto A New World » features Aaren Mayr, the Treasurer of the Alliance of Sovereign Nations.
Flying back to Milagenia, the secessionist reflects on how his official functions have increased the frequency of his travellings.
« The observation obliquely reminded the economist of one of the manners in which he could pass the hours more efficiently. He had developed the peculiar habit of systematically archiving all of his electronic conversations, that he could save automatically thanks to the native communication application of his uDev. In view of his professional activities, he had deemed it an additional safety, and it had proved invaluable in quite a few instances. His transits afforded him the time to manage his collection and rewatch some of the chats, and in this fashion he had fished many pearls among the dregs, bits of information that, in hindsight, suddenly gained significance. Now was the perfect moment to peruse the ever increasing heap, and recapitulate the recent evolutions of his attempt at establishing a collaboration between the Community and the Alliance. »
As the episode unfolds, the quadragenarian reminisces one particular weekend in Triton Aeolus, providing us with an alternative perspective on some of the events of those determining few days.
This week's edition of the Threshold Bookcast, « No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed, » follows below. Wishing you an enjoyable reading !
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
This week's instalment of The Threshold Series revolves around Bernard Sturn and features Veshtar, the almost barren land also known as the radioactive planet.
As the chapter begins, the illustrious physicist is enjoying a cup of green tea in his office, reviewing the events of the day while he waits for his newly hired assistant, Frank Evans, to join him for an informal evening meeting.
« At the beginning of the morning, Daniel Milton had sent him a long video mail which had revived the possibility that his new colleague could in fact be an industrial spy who had successfully infiltrated his team, in all likelihood in the pay of one of the independent nations. Obviously, the mere presence of a potential intruder in the Veshtari scientific facility constituted a threat that the security expert had to address, or at least report to the RDA. The space engineer had immediately recorded a brief response, arguing that he could probably clarify the matter on his own, and thus save everyone much time and energy. And at worst, should that request be denied, it yet afforded him the delay he needed to determine the safest way to proceed, and hopefully avoid a full-fledged investigation. Or at any rate, that had been the plan. »
The young programmer eventually enters the room, and the two men proceed to hold what could very well become a pivotal conversation in their developing relationship.
Here's « The Preacher The Teacher, » the eleventh episode of the Threshold Bookcast. Wishing you a most pleasant reading !
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
The tenth episode of the Threshold Bookcast focuses on Jake Harvey, the popular leader of the New Light Party.
At the start of the chapter, the rookie politician is enjoying a stargazing break on the observation deck of the space station his team and him are visiting.
« But life as an overly busy developing businessman had barely afforded him the leisure for socialization and entertainment, unless the activities served some work-related objective or another. As a somewhat less overly busy front running candidate, it was part of his duty to engage with people everyday and visit the far reaches of the Federation. And although he still had difficulty with the tedious travelling, he had recognized the value of savouring each one of the new spectacles offering themselves to his pale green eyes. Whether he were witnessing the often desolate landscapes of the sadly disfigured Ovel, or the lofty spacescapes which he had been awed to watch ever since the Progressive Parties had begun their tour of the stations, he would at least attempt to receive the beauty they conveyed. He had always thought he had seen stars in his youth, growing up in a remote farming community, away from the glitter and the greyness of the megapolises, yet this was nothing compared to the vista he was presently revelling in from one of the observation decks of Harmonia Eleven. The earnest and pragmatic administrator he used to be would not have dared to go sightseeing just prior to such a crucial meeting as the one he was about to attend. The wiser person he now was knew better. And given how off-worlders were generally significantly more respectful than their fellow Ovelians, there really was no reason to deprive himself of the pleasure. »
The pensive man is soon brought back to the reality of his agenda by his personal assistant. We then follow them as they proceed towards what could turn out to be a defining moment of the electoral campaign.
I hope you enjoy « South Side Of The Sky, » this week's instalment of The Threshold Series !
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
General About Me Curious romantic zensufi techno-geek, herbal-tea-drinking vegetarian artistic footballer, and singular muse-following tarot-reading polymath
Favorite Music Porcupine Tree, The Mars Volta, Deus Ex Machina, Arena, Mr. Bungle, Yes , King Crimson, Rush, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Frank Zappa, Mike Keneally, Opeth, Devin Townsend, UKZ, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Steve Vai, The Police, U2, Vissarion Shebalin, Igor Stravinsky, Dream Theater, Trey Gunn, Voivod
Favorite Movies Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I Robot, The Lord of the Rings, Punch-Drunk Love, Magnolia, Le Fabuleux Destin D’Amélie Poulain, The Matrix, The Fifth Element, Forrest Gump, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, Blade Runner, Highlander, Dune, Star Wars, Tron, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Alfred Hitchcock, Woody Allen, Fantasia, The Wizard of Oz, Lost
Favorite Books Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories, Isaac Asimov, David Bohm, Buddhist Sutras
Favorite Quotations The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience. — Frank Herbert
