“Some Will Listen”

The Zeitgeist — which, from the German, translates as “spirit of the age” — has in our time become a restless, angry spirit, inciting violence, inspiring mobs, threatening to topple long-held democratic principles. At the least, I wonder what will assuage it, let alone transform it into something positive?

Sorry, good Sir or Madam, if you think you can escape it. No one can. It’s in the sound of the horn blaring behind you on a roadway, imploring you to drive much faster, and threatening to blow your head off if you don’t. It’s in the maddening undertones of 90% of today’s soundtracks, and in the conflicts that erupt both locally and on the world stage.

In the midst of a Zeitgeist attack, it’s easy to get triggered and caught up in the same energy. That, of course, can escalate the problem, not defuse it. Calm and reason does not usually prevail in these situations. If it did, today’s Zeitgeist would not pose the menace it is. So how does one tame this noxious spirit? And is it overly optimistic to think that’s even possible?

The story goes that following the Buddha’s enlightenment, the great Brahma Sahampati urged him to bring his insight to the world. But the Buddha demurred, feeling the world was ignorant and too filled with lust and hate to appreciate what he had to say. Knowing the Buddha’s teaching was exactly what the world needed, however, the great Brahma did not take “no” for an answer. And so he countered, essentially saying:  “Some will listen.” 

Indeed, that may be all we can hope for. Though they may be few and far between, as long as there are those who are willing to listen and respond to the sound of truth, there may yet be hope for the world. That is our hope, at least, as we endeavor to raise enough funds to bring our musical to the stage. We hope you’ll join us!