Meditating to TOOL.

[Korpo]

Hey, heliac.

"Third Eye" by Tool

There comes a passage when many interwoven patterns come together with an industrial thumping sound. At this point I had a vision of gigantic cogs and wheels turning, a gigantic machine, but in a style that reminds one of the 19th century, like the innards of a clock like Big Ben, I guess. What does this mechanism drive? It was as if this was the inside of the world, and I was for some strange reason reminded of Hinduism and of depictions of the mechanics inside the world.

Today I laid down to listen to an album I've just got in the mail - Tool's "Lateralus." I decided that I wanted to give this mostly new experience the same chance as some classical music I've been listening to - to work its effect on me.
[...]I gave it a fresh chance and exposed myself to the whole 75 minutes in one go.

I can say that within short time I experienced what I call "inner light" - an illumination that comes from downward up and starts to fill my visual field. I sometimes get this during meditation, and it came on quite noticeably after a while. The effect came on and receded, sometimes I would experience wandering blobs and sometimes this uniform light, that would build every once in a while. The whole duration of the album was interesting. There was a variety of effects happening behind my closed eyes, and I observed with interest the different qualities of when energy built, when it receded, and so on.

[darron]

Sounds pretty awesome korpo, oh and heliac my tme came from various songs like vicarious, jambi, torn right in two, pretty much the whole 10000 days album start to finish meditating to it, third eye, and probably a few more.

[Sinera]

Just today when I was jogging through my beautiful forest with my player on (shuffle mode as usual) this song came on, giving me goosebumps as always (especially around the part when he shouts 'Give me my wings! ... Priceless!). I almost had forgotten how much I loved that song back then when it came out and listened to it over and over again.

It's also a very spiritual song. That's why I think it fits in a forum like this (even more in a Tool thread ).

It is about the (life and) death of the singer's mother, Judith Marie. It also touches upon the gap between organised religion (in its dogmatic and ritualised way) and spirituality. He praises his mother (who lived a faithful life) for the good example she gave when she had to endure a life of suffering before she died, to represent the core of this kind of spirituality, the inner truth (God within). The singer opposes it to the amount of hypocrism displayed by the custodians of organised religion (which disgusted the singer). This relationship for me is so brilliantly paraphrased in this single line of the song:

"You were the light and the way they'll only read about."

If it wasn't about the great music as well, this phrase alone makes this song a priceless classic for me.

For who really doesn't know it or wants to listen to it again, here's the song on YT with the lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-HRa06KVA4

I also would like to copy here what the uploader wrote about the meaning and background of the song lyrics (no, it's not me, but I mainly like what he says):

They're about Maynard James Keenan's mother, Judith Marie. Judith was paralyzed when Maynard was 11. She stayed paralyzed until she died 10,000 days later ("10,000 days in the fire is long enough; you're going home"). She kept faith in God the whole time.
The first song is more about Judith dying, and then Maynard accepting it and his mother's beliefs, which often conflicted with Maynard's. The second song is more about Judith's life, beliefs, etc. in general, and Maynard accepting them. The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory. Lots of Christian references.
I'll say one more thing. To say that Maynard is an atheist is something that would literally undo every possibly intelligent thought you've ever had. Maynard OBVIOUSLY believes in spirituality, a higher power, etc."
- cardinalbaseballer5 @Youtube

here's the lyrics:

10.000 Days (Wings Pt. 2)

Listen to the tales and romanticize,
How we'd follow the path of the hero.
Boast about the day when the rivers overrun.
How we rise to the height of our halo.

Listen to the tales as we all rationalize
Our way into the arms of the savior,
Feigning all the trials and the tribulations;
None of us have actually been there.

Not like you.

Ignorant siblings in the congregation
Gather around spewing sympathy,
Spare me.

None of them can even hold a candle up to you.
Blinded by choice, these hypocrites won't see.

But, enough about the collective Judas.
Who could deny you were the one who
Illuminated your little piece of the divine?

And this little light of mine, a gift you passed on to me;
I'm gonna let it shine to guide you safely on your way,
Your way home ...

Oh, what are they going to do when the lights go down
Without you to guide them all to Zion?
What are they going to do when the rivers overrun
Other than tremble incessantly?

High is the way, but all eyes are upon the ground.
You were the light and the way they'll only read about.
I only pray, Heaven knows when to lift you out.

Ten thousand days in the fire is long enough;
You're going home.

You're the only one who can hold your head up high,
Shake your fists at the gates saying:
"I've come home now!
Fetch me the spirit, the son, and the father.
Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.
It's time now!
My time now!
Give me my, give me my wings!"

You are the light and way that they will only read about.

Set as I am in my ways and my arrogance,
(With the) burden of proof tossed upon the believers.
You were my witness, my eyes, my evidence,
Judith Marie, unconditional one.

Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescents.
Difficult to see you in this light.

Please forgive this bold suggestion, but
Should you see your Maker's face tonight,
Look Him in the eye, look Him in the eye, and tell Him:
"I never lived a lie, never took a life, but surely saved one.
Hallelujah, it's time for you to bring me home."

- Tool, 10.000 Days, 2006

Well, usually, I do not listen to spiritual rock music at all (except vor DEE's several projects who is brilliant in his very own way), but this is just what I would listen to if I needed a dose of 'inspiring' lyrics, too (needless to say that I'd listen anyway to Tool for the music alone).

[darron]

God those lyrics are so epic, And deep. Have u ever read about they're drummers spiritual experiences, its amazing his drumming is perfectly based on sacred geometry, and he is a mystic, plus his timing is impeccable, almost as if he can warp time. Lol.

so good to hear from other fans.

[Neil Templar]

Ok i'm officially hooked, beautiful!

[darron]

heck yea.

[-asalantu-]

¿TOOL' music allows access to extended capabilites like those associated to Mozart Effect?
My best regards
Ángel

[darron]

very possible asalantu

[Sinera]

Danny Carey, their mystical occult drummer, has quite an interesting website (see further below). I was a drummer myself (and yes, of course he is one of my fav drummers) so all the stuff about his drumming is interesting to me, anyway. But there are also a lot about his magical / occult views, which are also reflected in his drumming.

Quote Wiki:
"Religion and the occult Although Carey has not officially aligned himself with any particular school of philosophy or religion, he has projected a deep interest in and understanding for the magical arts and sciences, among them various occult teachings. Enochian symbols, geometric designs, and special symbolic percussive devices are featured on and in his drum kit. He is also a collector of First Edition Aleister Crowley books as well as books by one of Crowley's more innovative students, Kenneth Grant.
Geometric designs
Carey has laid claim to various drumming techniques that use sacred geometric figures such as the unicursal hexagram. The final product is very recognizable, fluent drumming, although to him it is much more: the official Tool website claims that Danny uses drumming as a ritual similar to occult rituals,^[2] with purposes varying from spiritual exploration to "a gateway [which] summoned a daemon he has contained…that has been delivering short parables similar to passages within The Book of Lies". Another geometric reference from the website was the inclusion of Nothing in This Book Is True… by Bob Frissell^[3] on the band's recommended reading list, a book that deals with sacred geometry and the evolution of human consciousness.^[4]"
- Wikipedia

http://www.dannycarey.org/

He has a FAQ answering questions. Here's an answer to a question regarding 'evil' occultism:

"Q: When I asked my teacher if he had heard your playing he said that he doesn't condone your negative message. I responded that in my ten years of listening to your music I have yet to find anything negative and asked him if it was because of your occult fascination. He said it was and that all occult is evil/"satanic". This bothers me because this is a man who has been studying rhythm his whole life and cant come to appreciate what you play because of some conviction. What would you say?
A: Unfortunately, I have found that there is not much you can say to people like your teacher. For some, knowledge is a scary thing that could tear down the walls of their little fortress they have spent many years building and reinforcing around themselves, so its much easier to label something as "evil" rather than have their security jeopardized, and leave themselves vulnerable to infinite chaos. I have found that courage is always rewarded when trying to find truth and beauty for what it is, rather than what someone has told you it is. I say always trust in your own divinity and your explorations will not go unfulfilled, and by the way, the word occult simply means hidden. "
- D. Carey
rings true to me

[-asalantu-]

For some, knowledge is a scary thing that could tear down the walls of their little fortress they have spent many years building and reinforcing around themselves, so its much easier to label something as "evil" rather than have their security jeopardized, and leave themselves vulnerable to infinite chaos.

For me, this matches well with profile of people member of Holy Inquisition.

Sincerely,
Ángel