It is Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday this week. Poet. Shaman. Trickster. For me he is always one step ahead. Something about his quality is very turquoise – here is why.
Bob Dylan
Un-pin-down-able
I was introduced to his songs by a friend who saw him as a genius: a poet certainly, but beyond that almost a shaman – some kind of mirror. I would say Dylan is – amongst other things – the archetypal trickster – always one step ahead, he is impossible to pin down, he creates songs as if they flow from the Source. They sound raw, unrefined,but vibrantly alive (the good ones, that is). If you listen to the words literally, they do not always make sense. Yet they tumble out in a way that conveys something bigger. Here is an example that I know by heart:
Buckets of rain, buckets of tears,
Got all them buckets coming out of my ears,
Buckets of moonbeams … in my hands.
You got all the love, honey baby, i can stand.
Maha Chohan
I have held Dylan in high regard ever since I saw a clip from a film which was made about his UK tour in the early 1960’s – he was still only in his early twenties. A young journalist who was hanging around the hotel suite was trying to get an interview out of Bob. It was amazing to see the way that Dylan engaged with him; answering questions with questions, exposing the journalist’s assumptions. It was as if the journalist were fighting smoke. Dylan was everywhere and nowhere. I think Bob Dylan wonderfully expresses the quality of Maha Chohan. I don’t think Masters are limited to one body, one historical event, I think their influence can shine through anyone – in any moment.
Maha Chohan. Pale Turquoise
Silver and Gold
One of my favourite songs of his is called Silvio. I listened to it a lot in the early 90’s. It was with Mike Booth during a special Level 2 course in the Swiss Alps in 1993 that, when I was working with the colour turquoise, a fragment of this song came in to my head. During the feedback Mike invited me to sing it – and I duly did.
I can tell you fancy I can tell you plain.
You give something up for everything you gain
Since every pleasure’s got its edge of pain
Pay for your ticket and don’t complain
These is truly a turquoise message: grow up – don’t hold on to our smallness. Turquoise is opposite coral. Coral’s tendency is to stay attached; turquoise however always encourages us to let go – to move on – to become what we are not yet but may be. .Here is another verse from the same song:
Give what I got until I got no more
Take what I get till I even the score
You know I love you and, furthermore,
When it’s time to leave you got an open door
In fact I could make a mini presentation about this song and the Tree of Life and the journey of the soul. There is so much more. Here is link to the full lyrics if you wish to see.
“All I can do is be me – whoever that is.”
Final word. In 2007 the film “I’m Not There” was released. A labour of love by Todd Haynes – a true fan of Bob Dylan – this film tries to do justice to Dylan’s life. It is remarkable because it has 6 different actors all playing Bob Dylan. Each character expresses a different stage or aspect of Dylan’s life. Though a little long towards the end – I found it this film exciting to watch.
And at the end, just as six days lead to the seventh and a return to the centre, the six characters lead us to reflect on the title again “I’m Not There” and wonder– who on earth is Bob Dylan?
My answer? A word created just for this article:
Un-pin-down-able
I'm Bob. Who are you?
PS I just notice his birthday is 1941/05/24. Perhaps i will write another post …
