I'm an old Coltrane disciple just like I'm a Christian.
Interpretation
Cornel West expresses a deep spiritual and intellectual admiration for John Coltrane, paralleling it with his faith in Christianity.
In this quote, Cornel West highlights the profound influence that John Coltrane's music has had on him, equating his appreciation for the artist with his commitment to his Christian beliefs. This underscores the idea that music, much like faith, can serve as a source of inspiration, guidance, and transformation in one's life, reflecting the interconnectedness of art and spirituality.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of music in personal development.
King's response to our crisis can be put in one word: revolution. A revolution in our priorities, a reevaluation of our values, a reinvigoration of our public life and a fundamental transformation of our way of thinking and living that promotes a transfer of power from oligarchs and plutocrats to everyday people and ordinary citizens.
You've got to love yourself enough, not only so that others will be able to love you, but that you'll be able to love others.
Profound music leads us beyond language...to the dark roots of our scream and the celestial heights of our silence.
And when I talk about love, I'm talking about something that's great, though, brother. I'm talking about something that will sustain you.
Clever gimmicks of mass distraction yield a cheap soulcraft of addicted and self-medicated narcissists.
I feel as if I have been blessed to undergo a transformation from 'gangster' to 'redeemed sinner with gangster proclivities.'
I have a wish. It as a fear as well - that in my end will be my beginning.
I don't want it to end, and so, as every therapist knows, the ego does not want an end to its βproblemsβ because they are part of its identity. If no one will listen to my sad story, I can tell it to myself in my head, over and over, and feel sorry for myself, and so have an identity as someone who is being treated unfairly by life or other people, fate or God. It gives definition to my self-image, makes me into someone, and that is all that matters to the ego.
The generosity of the Earth allows us to feed all mankind; we know enough about ecology to keep the Earth a healthy place; there is enough room on the Earth, and there are enough materials, so that everybody can have adequate shelter; we are quite competent enough to produce sufficient supplies of necessities so that no one need live in misery.
If people have to put labels on me, I'd prefer the first label to be human being, the second label to be pacifist, and the third to be folk singer.
Life is an unanswered question, but let's still believe in the dignity and importance of the question.
Anything that is impractical can be play. It's doing something other than what is necessary to continue living as an animal.
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