Breath marks are little musical symbols that indicate when it is time for a singer, or a wind musician, to take moments breath–a sort of grace mark in the score that signals a short reprieve.
We typically don’t have signals to breathe factored into our everyday lives; yet sometimes they show up in various ways—watching a sunset, seeing a work of art, saying a prayer, connecting with a friend—or recently in my case, listening to a special recording of words and music.
I had been driving for hours; a sad journey prompted by the impending loss of a dear loved one. I was weary in every way…body, mind, and spirit. But I only had 90 minutes left in my trip, which happens to be the precise amount of time needed to listen to, “Yo-Yo Ma: Beginner’s Mind.”
This audio recording, written and performed by acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, “Beginner’s Mind” weaves autobiography, philosophy, and anthropology together in just six short chapters. Ma’s stories and his interspersed classical musical performances harmonize like an ideal multi-course pairing of food and wine.
Ma is infinitely curious (a trait that both the human and the cats at Curious Cats Read appreciate). While he describes his unique background, that of a child prodigy, and of directions and decisions he has made, Ma also asks weighty questions that are central to all of us like, “What makes me, ME?” He envisions how culture can help us imagine, create, and build a better future.
As the book ended, I reached my destination. None of the salient facts of my journey had changed, but there was a notable difference: I was still tired, yet I felt revived; still sad, but far more peaceful.
Had my respite been created by Ma’s soothing voice, his story, the hauntingly beautiful music? Yes, all those, and more. “Beginner’s Mind” provided me with a figurative breath mark on my journey that day—something we can all occasionally use—an interlude and a reminder to breathe.
“Yo-Yo Ma: Beginner’s Mind” is part of Audible’s ‘Words + Music’ initiative and is available free to all U.S. listeners.