Wow, this is a great post! Let me tell you, you are the medicine I have needed all of my life. I have always struggled with trying to do too many things at once and feeling tense. Even in first grade I can remember the teacher telling me “don’t hold the pencil so tight”! A friend of mine, Michael Powers who saw you play at the Port Townsend Jazz Festival, told me about your methods and I have bought your book and listened to your mediations and while they have helped, I know I have not really applied the core of it the way I need to to see maximum effect as you did. Thanks for continuing to teach this. I know one of these days I will experience that special moment where I see that same effortless breakthrough.

Peace,

Chris

Beautiful. Like riding a bike, eh?

Tim

I´m from Brazil and found very inspiring this ideas about practice and music. The way we feel is really important on how we experience the act of playing. Sometimes is a lot of joy and sometimes is really a painful experience. I´m experiencing a lot of solo playing since I decided to play alone in this setting. I use to record my gigs. One of the things that I noticed is that in some cases I was feeling very bad during the gig but the music recorded sounded good if compared to that feeling. So I realized that all the suffering was related to the ego and that I could be more happy playing exactly the same stuff. It´s all in mind. Practicing is just one part of the process. Relaxing and enjoying is also important.

Thanks for posting this.

Regards,

Julio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YDCFX2saqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isurxZB3Re8

I have read your book. I just purchased your DVD Living Effortless Mastery. I listen to your meditations quite often.
I suffer from fear and the ego. Your suggestions have helped at times . How can I apply on saxophone the same exercise you were given by Assis.?