Prog Semi Final #1 - Yes v. Pink Floyd

rogerthat wrote: Of course, it's harmless and well intentioned on the whole, I said as much earlier.  And as I also said earlier, it's just a bit difficult for me to get deeply moved by it because I know that for us, it's just a way of life.  There's nothing to see here....for me.   We have gurus going on all day about these same topics and they pocket a lot of money for doing so...and one fine day, some of them (not all, I won't be that harsh) go to prison for fraud, molestation, murder, you name it.    So I just can't help feeling very cynical about it.  In no way was it intended to be an objective criticism of Anderson's lyrics; rather I was just reflecting on it from a personal standpoint as to why the leave me cold.  There's nothing exotic about chanting.  My school used to play the gayatri mantra on speakers every morning to wake us up and force us to attend.   As I said, just another way of life.

Unfortunately the same can be said for anywhere one lives… We have clergymen and preachers of the same caliber here in the US. 

Anderson actually voiced religious deception on Close to the Edge- How many millions do we deceive each day?

However, not all religious educators are crooked and not all spout out half-truths.  Religious texts are heavily cloaked with cryptic writing.   If the books are taken verbatim one can get seriously wrapped up in BS.

Chanting is a tool, and if done properly can be transcendental.  

rogerthat wrote: Yeah, I am not among those who necessarily regard his lyrics gibberish.  But as an Indian, I am inclined to take his whole spiritual trip with a bucketload of salt.   Is there really some magical wisdom waiting to be grabbed in the East?  I am not so sure and all the poverty I see on the streets doesn't reflect a lot of wisdom.  If we were that wise, we would have solved our problems long before.  I can understand the novelty value of it from a Western perspective, especially the almost chant-like vocals in parts of TFTO (which I dislike quite intensely).

You are right, most are not wise. To postulate further, underneath the human exterior too many are not even humane. To turn things around  it’s important to take heed of the core messages from the wise ones.  Sensible messages of harmony, love, peace, balance etc.

The masses always dictate the circumstances of the planet.

I think in this day and age of technological evolution, spiritual evolution is more critical than ever.  Man can destroy the entire planet with a push of a button.

The precursor to spiritual evolution is to simply be humane.  Our free will can turn this place into a heaven or a hell.  We can also stagnate in purgatory, but not too much longer, technological advancement will see to that.

The difference between Pink Floyd and Yes is like the difference between Confucius and Lao Tzu.

Confucius mounted a horse and navigated across the earth while Lao Tzu mounted a dragon and ascended into the heavens.

I dig them both but favor Yes by far.

Yes lyrics are not a “meaningless string of words” and “ridiculous”.  Jon uses a lot of metaphors in his writing, if not understood then of course they will sound nonsensical.   His transcendental messages are insightful and spiritual in nature.  They truly resonate with me.

I don’t view Jon as some sort of prophet.  For the most part he is simply regurgitating the wisdom of the prophets.

Dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you

– Jon Anderson