The miracle that is Lucy—a neurodivergent blind 13-year-old child prodigy featured on ‘The Piano’

April 30, 2023

Listen to this neurodivergent blind 13-year-old child prodigy play the piano. It is moving and unbelievable. She makes the instrument sing. The music she feels and expresses through her fingertips goes right to the listener’s heart. It felt like I was hearing these well-known classical pieces for the first time. This is how Lucy communicates with the world. It is profound and incomprehensible! These videos tell the story.

BBC – The One Show – Talking about Channel 4’s ‘The Piano’

BBC’s The One Show invited the host and a judge of a new television show, The Piano, on England’s Channel 4. Host Claudia Winkleman and pop star Mika, one of two judges with pianist Lang Lang, discussed the concept for their series and how they were secretly judging amateur musicians playing on street pianos located outside train stations in selected cities. That portion of the interview starts at 1:26 and concludes at 7:25. They don’t give too much away, but we later find out in future episodes that the series will conclude with a final concert performance at England’s premier Royal Festival Hall.

Lucy performs Chopin’s Nocturne in B flat minor

One of those musicians is Lucy, a 13-year-old blind girl who stuns the crowd with her piano performance of Chopin’s Nocturne in B flat minor, Opus 9 number 1. Claudia speaks with Lucy’s mom outside the Leeds train station as they wait for Lucy’s teacher, Daniel, to lead her to the piano on an elevated platform. What happens next is breathtaking! It leaves Lang Lang speechless wondering how Lucy can learn how to play the piece. That question is answered below in The Amber Trust video – Lucy’s Story, showing us how Daniel instructs her using The Amber Sound Touch method.

Here is Part 1 of the full broadcast of that episode. It serves as a backgrounder leading up to the final performance. At a certain point Claudia reveals to all of the musicians gathered together for the first time that they not only played for people at the train station locations, but also for the world’s greatest classical pianist and a well-known pop star who were secretly watching them. Lang Lang and Mika are introduced, surprising everyone. The explanation of what their intent was, and the power of music, is worth listening to. They invite everyone to attend the upcoming Festival Hall performance as their VIP guests and, after hours of deliberation, announce who and why 1 of the 4 finalists was selected to perform at the finale—Lucy. Actually, as it turned out, all 4 finalists—Jay, Sean, Danny, and Lucy—played, and Lucy was selected as the performance of the night.

Lucy performs Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1

Lucy performed Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1 on Channel 4’s Finale of “The Piano’ at Royal Festival Hall. You could hear a pin drop in the hall, the audience was that intently focused on her, many moved to tears. After her performance, Lang Lang and Mika rose to their feet applauding, shouting “Bravo.” Everyone joined them giving Lucy a standing ovation.

Here is the 2nd part of that episode on The Piano Show, which includes Lucy’s performance. Read the YouTube notes for fuller explanations. There was one last surprise for the 4 finalists—a piano delivered to their homes!

Complete version of Lucy playing Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1

Enjoy this complete version of Lucy playing Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1. It starts at 1:48. An earlier well-edited short section of the video introduces us to Lucy’s mom explaining her daughter’s medical condition, then segues to Daniel walking Lucy to the piano where she plays Chopin’s Nocturne in B flat minor. It’s where Lang Lang, speechless, not knowing what to say, calls her a genius. At the end of this final performance, everyone is on their feet applauding wildly. The applause continues as Daniel and Lucy leave the stage. Claudia returns and proudly says, “Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is Lucy!”

The Amber Trust – Lucy’s story

The Amber Trust – Lucy’s story is a film made 3 years earlier about Lucy when she was 10 years old, blind, with autism and severe learning difficulties, but exceptional musical potential. Her teacher, Daniel, explains and demonstrates how he guides Lucy to play classical pieces on the piano. Adam Ockelford, founder of The Amber Trust, speaks at the end of the film. Lucy’s story is a part of ‘Amber Sound Touch’, The Amber Trust’s online resource for teaching music to blind and partially sighted children and young people, including those with additional disabilities. For more details, visit The Amber Trust website.

The Amber Trust has now worked with Lucy for over 10 years through their Music Awards program, funding the piano lessons she receives with her wonderful teacher, Daniel. Lucy achieved ‘performance of the night’ on the finale of Channel 4’s The Piano, receiving a standing ovation for her performance of Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1 at the Royal Festival Hall. They are very proud of everything she has accomplished on the show!

May 7, 2023: Astonishing moment blind and autistic pianist Lucy 13, stuns 20,000 spectators at Coronation Concert

Tens of thousands of spectators at King Charles’ Coronation Concert were left speechless Sunday evening as 13-year-old blind and autistic pianist Lucy Illingworth gave a jaw-dropping performance. The pianist, who is part of Queen Camilla’s patronage, The Amber Trust, was one of the talents chosen to perform at a concert taking place on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Playing a rendition of Bach’s Prelude in C Major, the teenager prompted smiles and applause from the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte, leaving the newly crowned King and Queen speechless. Her mother Candice Illingworth was beaming as she proudly sat next to her talented daughter as she wowed the crowd.

Here’s Ravenscliffe’s wonderful Lucy sharing the stage with some of the world’s biggest musical artists as she plays “Prelude in C Major” by J.S. Bach in the Coronation Concert, which was held on Sunday 7th May 2023. They continue to be awestruck watching Lucy play so effortlessly delivering her intricate piano playing live in front of 20,000 people. She actually performed this in front of 18 million people! Enjoy listening to her performance with the full introduction.

Lucy’s Royal Albert Hall Debut

Lucy made her debut at the iconic concert hall Classic FM Live in October 16, 2023 playing Bach and Debussy. Lucy, an incredible 15-year-old blind and neurodivergent pianist from Yorkshire, plays the stunning Bach ‘Prelude in C’ alongside her teacher Daniel, for a 6,000-strong audience at the Royal Albert Hall. Blind pianist Lucy plays enchanting Bach ‘Prelude in C’ in Royal Albert Hall debut | Classic FM Live.

Watch a very special performance, as the exceptional pianist who won Channel 4’s ‘The Piano’ plays deeply emotional Debussy to an audience of 6,000 in London’s iconic theatre. Blind pianist Lucy stuns Royal Albert Hall with breathtaking Debussy debut | Classic FM Live.

Early April 2024: Classic FM and Lucy on Instagram posted: “Debussy’s Arabesque No.1, played exquisitely by Lucy from The Piano. ❤️ You’ve just voted this piece into the Classic FM #HallOfFame Top 300 – the world’s biggest poll of classical music tastes. Stay listening across the Easter weekend!” Lucy replied: “Lucy is so honoured to have been voted into the Classic FM #HallOfFame ! ☺️”

How neurodivergent ‘The Piano’ star Lucy speaks through the piano

April 12, 2024: Classic FM: Discover how Lucy, who is blind and neurodivergent, uses the piano to communicate. Lucy’s piano teacher, Daniel Bath, and mother, Candice, share her musical beginnings and winning success on the Channel 4 series, ‘The Piano’. Filmed backstage at The Royal Albert Hall for Classic FM Live with Viking, on the day Lucy made her performing debut.

April 16, 2024: Lucy joyfully jazzes it up with Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Wish’.

International Ambassador of Lang Lang Foundation

Since Lucy was selected as “performance of the night” at ‘The Piano’ concert, Lang Lang may have arranged for her to perform at the Coronation Concert. I saw this announcement on a Lang Lang Foundation langlangfoundation Instagram post of the two of them spontaneously playing Pavane by Fauré, Op.50 together. Lang Lang spoke about this in a Classic FM interview, how Lucy would immediately start playing the piece along with him.

“I was totally blown away by Lucy, when we met her in the Leeds station, and I just thought this is impossible to have someone like that. She’s a miracle kid.” He spoke of later working with her in London, how she knows everything when it comes to music and would instantly play a musical piece. He emphasized how remarkable she was. What follows is what they had announced on Instagram.

We are truly delighted to welcome the one and only @lucypianohq as our new Lang Lang Foundation ambassador 🎊 Lucy and Lang Lang’s special bond began on @channel4’s The Piano, where she won the hearts of many, and continued at Windsor Castle where they both appeared at the Coronation Concert playing in front of 18 million people.

Lucy truly is an inspiration, and we are so proud to officially call her part of the Lang Lang Foundation family. Welcome, Lucy! 🌟✨💫

Visit https://www.lucythepianist.com.

Check Lucy’s social media for updates: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok.

Lucy’s moment in Channel 4’s ‘The Piano’ nominated for a BAFTA

Lucy’s Instagram posted this exciting news: This year the BAFTAs are being held on Lucy’s 15th birthday, Sunday 12th May 2024. With her moment on Channel 4’s ‘The Piano’ winning over so many people’s hearts—it has been nominated for a BAFTA for Most Memorable Moment, and it would truly be such a special present to win on her birthday! 🎂

They previously posted part of a news clip of Lucy’s BAFTA nomination for Most Memorable TV Moment.

Channel 4’s The Incredibly Talented Lucy

May 4, 2024: Channel 4 produced The Incredibly Talented Lucy: the Series 1 winner of The Piano in the words of her mother and teacher. It is available to stream and watch on TV from 10:05pm on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Ahead of their special one-off documentary into her life, they spoke to two of the people who know her best, her mother Candice Flynn and her music teacher Daniel Bath. I am not able to access this BBC documentary, unless someone posts it on YouTube. All we can see now is this interview/news release, where they answer questions about Lucy and the documentary. It’s a worthwhile read.

May 5, 2024: Lucy’s Instagram posted a video of what she’s been up to since winning The Piano listing many of her accomplishments, most of which have already been mentioned above.

I’m Walking With You – Lucy The Pianist

September 13, 2024: Lucy, The Pianist, releases her first official single “I’m Walking With You”, written by Debbie Wiseman OBE. “I’m Walking With You”, written especially for Lucy by Wiseman, Classic FM’s composer in residence, was recorded with the Masquerade Quintet at the iconic Metropolis Studios as part of Lucy’s highly-anticipated first studio recording. The single has been chosen for 2024’s GB Paralympic Homecoming Ceremony, which is televised on Channel 4 on 14th September 2024, in a celebration of determination and endeavour across music and sport.

Other inspiring artists featured on The Uncarved Blog

To see other inspiring artists featured on The Uncarved Blog, scroll through the Archive of the ‘Music’ Category.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Music, Videos | 2 Comments »

A Spring Haiku inspired by Radim Schreiber’s photos of pink dogwood flowers

April 24, 2023 
Spring Haiku 
Inspired by Radim Schreiber’s photos

Pink dogwood flowers
Delicate tender beauty
Captured by the lens

April 21, 2023
Fairfield, Iowa
© Ken Chawkin

Related posts: Japanese culture: poetic aesthetics, artistry, and martial arts, inspired me to write haiku and tanka || Radim Schreiber captures the magic of fireflies in beautiful award-winning photos and films

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in My poems, Poetry | 1 Comment »

Tony Anthony’s amazing eight-year spiritual journey with TM founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

April 1, 2023

Some people I know highly recommended Tony Anthony‘s recent book, A Joy-Filled Amazement: My Eight-Year Spiritual Journey with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I read it and found theirs and other familiar names mentioned in the story. I checked the many positive Customer Reviews, recognized some of the reviewers, and decided to add my own.

This personal story is told with sincerity, vulnerability, and transparency. Some fascinating moments give us a glimpse into Tony’s relationship with TM founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and his evolving experiences, in and out of meditation.

This personal story is told with sincerity, vulnerability, and transparency. Some fascinating moments give us a glimpse into Tony’s relationship with TM founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and his evolving experiences, in and out of meditation.

Here is a look into the author’s background, what he’s accomplished during his lifetime, and a description of the book.

About Tony Anthony

Tony Anthony was born in New York and educated at Syracuse University. He served as a combat correspondent for the 198th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. His stories and photographs appeared in Stars & Stripes and in newspapers around the world.

He has had a career in the creative arts: as an author, a painter, a photojournalist, and a creative director. As a photojournalist, Anthony photographed the attack on the World Trade Center from a Blackhawk helicopter on September 11, 2001 for the NGO Americares. Days after the US bombed Baghdad in 2005, he photographed the first humanitarian relief mission to Iraq. He has photographed on all eight continents, including the melting ice in Antarctica.

He has written three previous books: Life is War But You Can Win, an inspirational book for Veterans; Beneath Buddha’s Eyes, a novel; Before the Next War, a novel set in Vietnam based on actual events. He has directed a documentary film, Fearless Mountain, about a Buddhist forest monastery. The author is the recipient of an Atlantic Monthly writing award. He resides in Northern California and has two grown sons.

A Joy-Filled Amazement

A Joy-Filled Amazement is the wild and enthralling tale of a spiritual seeker that proves that anything is possible. The book begins at the lowest moments of the author’s life—penniless and mind-ravaged, just back from Vietnam, living in the hold of an anchovy boat. In an inexplicable encounter, he meets Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the spiritual leader who brought Transcendental Meditation to the West made famous by the Beatles. The great Indian guru enthralls him with a vision of the life he longs for and the way to get there. The story is an eight-year odyssey, to Maharishi’s ashram in Switzerland, to India, and finally to enlightenment. The journey is complex, deeply spiritual, and genuinely captivating.

A generation of seekers

Ours was a generation of seekers. If you’re on the spiritual path or curious about it, this book will satisfy. You will spend time in the heart and mind of a seeker turned finder.

Ours was a generation of seekers. If you’re on the spiritual path or curious about it, this book will satisfy. You will spend time in the heart and mind of a seeker turned finder. Tony also describes some pretty cosmic experiences that will inspire. Glad I read it!

On page 258, Tony shares something that surprised and pleased me. A friend who cleaned Maharishi’s apartment had invited him along, which was unexpected. While his friend “went about about replacing flowers in vases and otherwise straightening up in the sitting room, I took a seat and thumbed through a book of photographs taken by Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney’s wife. On the front piece was a hand-written note to Maharishi saying how much she and Paul loved and appreciated him.”

Book Cover

Tony chose Spanish graphic designer Jonas Perez to design the book cover. He selected the typeface and gold color and left the rest to him. Jonas surprised Tony “with the sensitivity and subtlety of the design.”

You may recognize the famous photo of Maharishi on Sands of Parkville, the beach at the former Island Hall resort in Parksville, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. It was taken by Victoria artist, photojournalist, and filmmaker Karl Spreitz. Eileen Learoyd, a columnist for The Daily Colonist at that time, asked Karl to take the photo for her article on Maharishi (September 20, 1963). An early meditator, Eileen later became a TM teacher. Maharishi appointed her National Leader of Canada. Her daughter, Grania Litwin, also a journalist, sent me the article and the photo, which was also used on a billboard with the words, learn to meditate, and a mailing address.

Book Title

In case you’re wondering, as I was, about the book title, Tony explains that in the 3rd paragraph on page 309 under Acknowledgements.

The title of the book is taken from The Shiva Sutras, revealed by Swami Laksmanjoo, a close friend of Maharishi’s. In Verse 12, he explains the signs by which we can determine that a yogi is established in that supreme state of Lord Siva: “The predominant sign of such a yogi is joy-filled amazement.”

Related reading

Here are two novels I’ve read and reviewed about meditating philosophy professors that you might enjoy: “To Be Enlightened” by Alan J. Steinberg and “The Best Of All Possible Worlds” by B. Steven Verney.

Many articles have been written about Maharishi. Here is a blogpost on the centennial of his birth with links to other articles and interviews.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

June 16, 2024: I wrote Tony to tell him about Billy Schulz’s book, The Field of Glow: My Life with Angels and Celestial Beings. He said he had read it and mentioned his new book, A Joy-Filled Awareness, the follow-up to the book about his time with Maharishi, A Joy-Filled Amazement, which now fleshes out the “time before and after” as described by a mutual friend from the United Kingdom in his 5-star Amazon review.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Literature, Writing | 7 Comments »

Cartoonists show us the pressure some people put on their pets and how they try to deal with it

March 26, 2023

This funny cat cartoon by Scott Metzger gives us an insight into the lives of pets and what they have to put up with from their human owners.

With this kind of pressure some cats need to undergo therapy, as shown in this Bizarro cartoon by Wayno & Dan Piraro.

One of their earlier cartoons showed a dog on the psychiatrist’s couch, but for a different reason.

Other cartoonists worth checking out for a few more laughs

Gary Larson’s cartoons are funny because they make us see the unexpected humor in things

Funny cartoons make us laugh ‘cuz they’re true

This funny and wise cartoon from David Sipress reminds us that things are not as bad as we think

Good cartoons teach us a lot if we’re willing to learn and laugh at our little foibles and neuroses

More brilliant cartoons from Dave Coverly as he anthropomorphizes a dog and a crash test dummy

Click the humor category for more funny cartoons on The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Humor | Leave a Comment »

Harpist Nadja Dornik beautifully performs Claude Debussy’s romantic composition Clair de Lune

March 18, 2023

Today, Serbian pianist and harpist Nadja Dornik posted her performance of Claude Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque, L.75 – III. Clair de Lune. The whole composition was recorded on August 30, 2022 at the Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall, including the first and second movements — I. Prélude and II. Menuet — posted 4 and 3 weeks earlier, respectively.

Historically, Clair de Lune, was a French poem written by Paul Verlaine in 1869, and became the inspiration for the third and most famous movement of Debussy’s 1890 Suite Bergamasque of the same name.

You can actually hear Debussy playing Clair de Lune (1913), recorded on a piano roll, Claude Debussy plays Debussy. It is included in the Complete recordings made by Claude Debussy: The Composer as Pianist. Compilation from all Debussy recordings available “Claude Debussy Plays His Finest Works” (1904-1913).

Also enjoy listening to Kristan Toczko, one of Canada’s premier harpists, perform Debussy’s romantic composition, Clair de Lune. That post contains links to performances by famous pianists and other musicians, some on unusual instruments, recorded for the celebration of Debussy’s life and music in 2018, the centennial of his passing.  

In an earlier post, Nadja Dornik transcribed and performed a stunningly beautiful version for harp of Frédéric Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu.

August 4, 2024: Nadja Dornik posted this interesting Interview at the “Festival International de Colmar » Interview with Olivier Erouart and Johny Royer after my piano recital at the Festival International de Colmar.

See Canadian pioneer filmmaker Norman McLaren’s 1968 NFB film ‘Pas de deux’ for a truly spellbinding aesthetic experience. Predating digital effects, this masterpiece won many national and international awards.

‘Pas de deux’ was nominated as ‘Duo’ for Best Live Action Short Subject at the 41st Academy Awards (April 14, 1969) to honor the films of 1968. It was the NFB’s 24th Oscar®-nominated film at the time.

Some other amazing artists I’ve been inspired by and written about are available in the Archive of the ‘Music’ Category on The Uncarved Blog.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Music, Peace, Videos | 1 Comment »

Transcendental Meditation reduced healthcare workers’ burnout symptoms during Covid crisis

March 5, 2023

NEWS RELEASE 3-MAR-2023

Transcendental Meditation highly effective in rapidly reducing healthcare worker burnout symptoms during the height of the Covid crisis

Healthcare providers (HCP) at three Miami hospitals during the height of the Covid crisis, who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique (TM), showed a rapid and highly significant reduction in stress-related burnout symptoms such as somatization, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional exhaustion, as well as significant improvement in mental well-being, compared to a parallel matched lifestyle-as-usual group (LAU), according to a new study published today in PLOS ONE.

A total of 65 healthcare providers at the three Miami hospitals (Baptist, Mercy, and Encompass Hospitals), were enrolled in the TM group, as well as 65 parallel match controls. Validated surveys were used to assess burnout and stress-related symptoms including the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 scale (BSI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI), and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS).

After two weeks symptoms of somatization, depression, and anxiety in the TM group showed a near 45% reduction and insomnia, emotional exhaustion and well-being had improved by 33%, 16% and 11% respectively. At three months, the TM group showed mean reductions in anxiety of 62%, somatization 58%, depression 50%, insomnia 44%, emotional exhaustion 40%, and improvement in mental well-being of 18% (Examples Figures 1 – 3). TM appeared easy to learn and was maintained by the subjects within an average weekly TM session completion rate of 83%. (Click on Figures 1-3 to enhance details.)

“The results of this study—one of the largest on the effects of TM in a healthcare setting conducted during the height of the Covid crisis—are dramatic, not just because of the size and significance of the improvements in a variety of burnout indices, but notably in how rapidly the results were seen,” said Mark S. Nestor, M.D. Ph.D., the principal investigator, and lead author of the study. Dr. Nestor is Director of the Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research in Aventura Florida, and Voluntary Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “This rapid and dramatic improvement in stress-related symptoms is not often seen with the use of medications much less with other easy to learn mental techniques.”

The authors point out that “the study confirms and expands on the previously reported benefits of the practice of TM and its positive psychological impact on healthcare providers in high stress settings and should be considered as a rapid intervention for healthcare worker burnout but certainly may have application to other at-risk populations.”

The study was supported, in part, by the David Lynch Foundation as well as Miami-area donors. The article is titled “Improving the mental health and well-being of healthcare providers using the Transcendental Meditation technique during the COVID-19 pandemic: a parallel population study.”

# # #

Source: EurekAlert!

Peer-Reviewed Publication | Randomized controlled/clinical trial

See the full PowerPoint Presentation PDF with all 6 Figures.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265046

News Coverage: The first to report on this study was Australia’s Mirage: Healthcare Workers’ Burnout Reduced with TM During Covid Peak. News Medical, one of the world’s leading open-access medical and life science hubs, also reported: Transcendental Meditation reduces stress-related burnout symptoms among healthcare providers.

A month later, Psych News Daily reported: Transcendental Meditation reduces burnout, new study finds. A new study has found that Transcendental Meditation reduced symptoms of burnout and insomnia, while improving overall well-being.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Health, Maharishi University | 1 Comment »

Gary Larson’s cartoons are funny because they make us see the unexpected humor in things

March 3, 2023

Cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side, is a genius because he shows us the humor in the obvious, but from a different perspective, one we normally wouldn’t think of. Here is an unexpectedly funny example.

The official website for The Far Side Comic Strip by Gary Larson (www.thefarside.com) posts The Daily Dose—a selection of classic The Far Side comics that are updated daily.

Two animated versions were produced for television: Tales from the Far Side (1994) and Tales from the Far Side II (1997). I saw them both. They’re hilarious and the music is great!!

See 11 Twisted Facts About ‘The Far Side’, which includes The Far Side 1986 Gary Larson interview on 20/20.

See other humorous and sometimes instructive cartoonists’ work in Funny cartoons make us laugh ‘cuz they’re true.

More brilliant cartoons from Dave Coverly as he anthropomorphizes a dog and a crash test dummy.

Click the humor category for more funny cartoons on The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Humor | Leave a Comment »

Manual Cinema and Crescendo Literary produced this video of Gwendolyn Brooks’ “We Real Cool” as part of the centennial celebration of her birth

February 26, 2023

This is real cool! Using simple, illuminative paper-cut puppetry, this enchanting video imagines the moment of witness that inspired Gwendolyn Brooks to write her landmark poem, “We Real Cool.” It was created by Manual Cinema in association with Crescendo Literary, with story by Eve L. Ewing and Nate Marshall, and music by Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods. Poetry Foundation posted We Real Cool on June 6, 2017 as part of the upcoming centennial celebration of her birth that year.

Everything about this video is excellent—the background story, Brooks’ dialogue, the poem read by her and sung by the chorus, the lifelike facial expressions, outlines and movements of the paper-cut puppetry, the jazzy driving music—all make for a lively and enjoyable realization.

The 6-minute video is a companion to a live staged production of No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks. It premiered November 2017 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brooks’s birth. See the trailer for that show when it played in Vancouver at the Chan Centre. “We Real Cool” starts at 26 minutes into the 68-minute performance.

Gwendolyn Brooks (June 7, 1917-December 3, 2000) won the Pulitzer Prize at 32, and at 68, was the first black woman to become a consultant in poetry for the Library of Congress, aka the 29th Poet Laureate, 1985–86. A prolific poet, author, and teacher, she received a lifetime achievement award in 1989 from the National Endowment for the Arts.

It’s interesting how some poets are only remembered for one special poem. In this 1986 HoCoPoLitSo interview with Gwendolyn Brooks for The Writing Life series (remastered in 2005), she was asked how she felt about being remembered for only this one poem (18:38). She said that the poem was published in many anthologies and that children always ask her to read “We Real Cool” and respond enthusiastically.

But in the short video she says she “would prefer it if the textbook compilers and the anthologists would assume that I’ve written a few other poems,” and then the camera pans over many of her books.

At 19:45 she tells the story behind how she came to write “We Real Cool,” which forms the basis for the storyline of the short video. In the lead up to the poem, she happens to see seven students shooting pool at the Golden Shovel. But instead of asking myself, “Why aren’t they in school?” I asked myself, “I wonder how they feel about themselves?”

But instead of asking myself, “Why aren’t they in school?” I asked myself, “I wonder how they feel about themselves?”

Gwendolyn Brooks’ thoughts on seeing The Pool Players, Seven at the Golden Shovel, which became her poem, “We Real Cool.”

Instead of judging the students, her curiosity and compassion cause her to look deeper. She shares her thoughts about the boys’ situation, and is then asked to recite the poem, which she does at 21:05.

Gwendolyn Brooks, “We Real Cool,” was recorded on May 3, 1983, as part of the Academy of American Poets reading series, held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. It first appeared in print in the September 1959 issue of Poetry magazine. You can see the poem and hear Gwendolyn Brooks read “We Real Cool” from Selected Poems on the Poetry Foundation website. Copyright © 1963 by Gwendolyn Brooks.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Audios, Education, Films, Literature, Music, Poetry, Videos, Writing | 1 Comment »

Transcendental Meditation effective in reducing burnout and depression symptoms in physicians

February 21, 2023
This figure shows the within-group effect sizes (mean change divided by pooled standard deviation) for the Transcendental Meditation group and the treatment-as-usual control group on burnout, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and depression symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-2. Between-group statistics comparing TM to the control group yielded significant differences between groups on both burnout and depression symptoms (p values <.02). CREDIT: Maharishi International University Research Institute. (Image posted on EurekAlert!)

According to a randomized controlled study, published in Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, physicians who practiced the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique showed significant reductions in both burnout and depression symptoms. Research conducted at Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago found that practice of Transcendental Meditation produced large effect sizes in decreasing burnout and depression symptoms in academic physicians; controls exhibited smaller effect sizes. The research was done pre-covid.

Marie Loiselle, PhD, lead author and senior researcher at the Center for Social-Emotional Health at Maharishi International University, stated: “Prior to treatment, the physicians were discouraged by the impact that burnout was having on their work and personal lives. To see both burnout and depression reduced significantly across 1- and 4-month posttests for the Transcendental Meditation group indicates a real possibility for alleviating these symptoms throughout the health profession.”

Sanford Nidich, EdD, co-author and director of the Center for Social-Emotional Health, explained that “these findings are consistent with research on Transcendental Meditation recently published in JAMA Network Open and the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians showing large within-group effect sizes due to TM on burnout and depression symptoms in healthcare provider groups. The findings are also consistent with research on other populations.”

Forty academic physicians were enrolled in the four-month study, comparing the TM technique to treatment-as-usual controls. TM is described as a simple, effortless technique, practiced for 20 minutes twice a day, sitting with eyes closed. TM allows ordinary thinking processes to become more quiescent, resulting in a unique state of restful alertness. Controls continued with their usual care throughout the duration of the study. The primary outcome was total burnout, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2) was also used to determine effectiveness of TM on depression symptoms over the same time-period.  

Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to assess adjusted mean change scores. Significant improvements were found for the TM group compared to controls in total burnout (P=.020) including the MBI dimensions of emotional exhaustion (P=.042) and personal accomplishment (P=.018), and depression (P=.016).  

The following is a sample of responses from semi-structured interviews with TM participants about their experiences:

“I’m more relaxed about things overall, more accepting, calmer, not as revved up by things. I think that is the biggest change.”

“If I am feeling really bothered by the day, I’m able to get over it easier and shift over to focusing on home.”

According to Gregory Gruener, MD, study co-author and Vice Dean for Education, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago: “Longevity in a career that will last 40 to 50 years requires a physician to embrace the ‘long-view’.  While knowledge, skills and attitude are fundamental, Transcendental Meditation provides the clarity of mind and calmness that makes this journey as enjoyable and fulfilling as the destination.”

*

Funding support: This study was supported by grants from Loyola University and other private foundations and individual donors.

Article title: Effects of Transcendental Meditation on Academic Physician Burnout and Depression: A Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial.

Authors: Loiselle, Marie PhD; Brown, Carla EdD; Travis, Frederick PhD; Gruener, Gregory MD, MBA, MHPE; Rainforth, Maxwell PhD; Nidich, Sanford EdD.

JOURNAL: Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 43(3):p 164-171, Summer 2023.

DOI: 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000472

*

News Coverage: This study was published Jan 26, 2023 and publicized with an embargoed press release via EurekAlert! It was reported in the medical press. Helio requested a copy of the study and published their review Feb 3, 2023. But you have to register to read it.

HealthDay, the world’s largest syndicator of health news, also requested a copy of the study and posted their report Feb 16, 2023, which can be read here: Transcendental Meditation Helps to Alleviate Burnout in Academic Physicians. Benefits seen for total burnout, emotional exhaustion, and depression at four months. It was picked up by many health and medical news sites, like Physician’s Weekly, which created another wave of publicity. Article Metrics published by Wolters Kluwer.

When lead author Marie Loiselle read this news she shared her wish that this will motivate more health professionals to start TM and more programs like the one Carla and Duncan Brown teach at Stritch School of Medicine to be implemented. 

The evidence continues to mount, which makes it a wise, health-conscious decision, and, since the pandemic, an almost necessary one. Some physicians have also been prescribing TM for their patients. It is a viable alternative and should be covered by health insurance.

It seems to be a matter of time, which reminds me of this famous quote attributed to German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer: “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”

See more Quotes from famous thinkers on the nature of truth, its rejection, and acceptance over time.

Update: The JCEHP Summer 2023 – Volume 43 – Issue 3 published an Editorial by Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Simon Kitto Ph.D.: Some Musings About Theorizing Context in a (Post)Pandemic: The Case of Physician Burnout. The opening paragraph draws attention to this original research article by Loiselle and colleagues!

Oct 17, 2023: An Apple Podcast (39 min) was posted with Marie Loiselle and two of her co-authors, Dr. Gruener and Carla Brown, Ph.D.: ‎JCEHP Emerging Best Practices in CPD: Effects of Transcendental Meditation on Academic Physician Burnout and Depression.

Burnout is pervasive among physicians and has widespread implications for individuals and institutions. This research study examines, for the first time, the effects of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique on academic physician burnout and depression. Mixed methods findings suggest the TM technique is a viable and effective intervention to decrease burnout and depression for academic physicians.

This JCEHP study is also published on the PubMed, NIH, National Library of Medicine website.

2024 Update: A second Editorial, this one in the Spring 2024 – Volume 44 – Issue 2 of the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, announced The 2023 Paul Mazmanian JCEHP Award for Excellence in Research was given to Marie Loiselle and her research team for their original study! Their TM and physician burnout paper was selected from 231 original research papers submitted to JCEHP.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Articles, Education, Health, Maharishi University | Leave a Comment »

Amazing performance of Gary Moore’s ‘Still Got The Blues’ by Vanessa Amorosi featuring Orianthi!

February 18, 2023

The Blues have been around for a very long time. Every once and a while, a few gifted musicians come along who make us sit up and take notice.

Still Got The Blues

I recently discovered these amazing Aussie artists—Vanessa Amorosi featuring Orianthi—playing Still Got The Blues (Live at The Hotel Cafe). They’re backed by keyboardist Carey Frank and drummer Charlie Paxson.

The only person I was familiar with was the brilliant guitarist Orianthi. I had not heard of Vanessa Amorosi before. She can really sing the blues! What a perfect pairing!!

After hearing their awesome performance I searched for the original and discovered Gary Moore, another amazing musician! Impressed with both, I had to create this post.

Still Got the Blues (For You) by Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore was originally released in 1990 as the title track for what would become his multi-million-selling eponymous album. It was a return to the Blues music of his youth. He died at 58. (April 04, 1952 – February 06, 2011)

The Gary Moore Society posted this mind-blowing performance of what did become his most popular song: Gary Moore – Still Got The Blues, An Evening of the Blues / Live at Hammersmith Odeon, 1990.

Getting the blues from unrequited love

Speaking of getting the blues from unrequited love, one song I remember from my youth was Since I Fell for You sung by Lenny Welch. He really expressed that kind of emotional pain, something most teenagers could identify with at the time.

Originally written as a blues ballad by Buddy Johnson in 1945, it was first popularized by his sister, Ella Johnson, with Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra. A version by Annie Laurie with Paul Gayten and His Trio in 1947 led to its eventual establishment as a jazz and pop standard.

The biggest hit version, arranged and conducted by Archie Bleyer, was the Lenny Welch recording of it in 1963, reaching No 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and No 3 on the Easy Listening chart.

Gary Moore’s friendship with George Harrison

While doing research for this post I discovered two interesting videos that revealed Gary Moore’s friendship with George Harrison. George said they were neighbors, and that he was impressed with Gary’s playing.

In this 1990 Countedown interview, George mentioned when he and Jeff Lynn were producing a recording in his home studio it needed a particular style guitar solo. It would take them a while to do it. So George called up Gary who came over and nailed it in 5 minutes. It turned out to be the lead guitar riff for The Traveling Wilburys playing She’s My Baby!

In the other video, George introduces Gary who plays While My Guitar Gently Weeps with him at the April 6, 1992 concert he had organized for the Natural Law Party in Royal Albert Hall. Among the many musicians who supported George that evening were Ringo, Joe Walsh, and Tom Petty with his band. For more details see Remembering George Harrison: Watch Final Full Concert At Royal Albert Hall In 1992.

Listen to another great British guitarist who left us: The virtuosity and versatility of Jeff Beck was unique among rock guitarists. One of the best!

Another great British musician also left us unexpectedly a few months earlier: Rock’s Songbird—Christine McVie—has flown free.

For more musicians check the Archive of the ‘Music’ Category on The Uncarved Blog.

— Written and compiled (citing sources) by Ken Chawkin for The Uncarved Blog.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Music, Videos | 2 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »