Last night we celebrated New Year’s Eve by going to New Year’s by the Bay in Belfast, Maine. I remember when I was in my early 20’s spending some New Year’s Eves alone and doing thought-provoking reading. In preparation for the New Year, reading these things encouraged me to ponder what life was all about and how I might approach the New Year. Many of the things I read had a spiritual slant, such as the writings of Thomas Merton.
I was reminded of this last night, as we began the evening listening to Hawk Henries play his wooden flutes. I thought this was a great way to begin the preparation for the New Year. Hawk Henries is a member of an Algonquin tribe called Nipmuc. He has been making and playing flutes for over 20 years.
I appreciated being able to close my eyes, clear my mind and listen to the beautiful, mellow sounds coming from his flutes. It was a meditative experience. Mystics, including Merton, talk about contemplation as being open to God and experiencing the Divine presence without words. It seems to me that music is a similar experience. The right music, that is. And to me, Hawk Henries’ flute music is the right music. Here’s a sample of it. This YouTube clip includes some pictures that complement the wonderful sound of the flute. The shoreline pictures appeared to me to be from Mid-Coast Maine.
Enjoy the YouTube clip and have a wonderful New Year!
