Music Career = Ideal Setup for Main Purpose - Bodhisattva!

Woke up early this morning, made a bathroom trip, and read a little of the Jataka Tale about the nagas - wealthy snake-like creatures with human faces; and how a human decided to become one to get the wealth, but then realized the far greater wealth is having a human birth, with the opportunity to become enlightened, and help all beings!

Helped me get a clearer idea about what I’m going to do with my life, especially with the extra time my upcoming “semi-retirement” will bring.

Realized, after all these years, it’s really not about “making it big” in the music biz! I’ll still do higher-quality stuff, like concerts and recordings, but will remained unconcerned about fame and fortune!

Then the big realization came: being a musician, especially in the current scene (lots of steady gigs, many solo piano), is a great opportunity to make a decent living without spending a ton of time and energy doing it. That gives me lots of time and energy to practice, grow into the Bodhisattva ideal, and spread those teachings and practices! And again there, without concern for fame and fortune - just doing it!!!

And, of course, making music is really a wonderful practice, too. To do it well requires a very steady mindfulness. Which I also practice in every situation every day, and formally, too!