Mark Guiliana

Stories

By Mark Guiliana

My introduction to the world of mindfulness was through the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.

I was devouring his books, of which there are many, and through his rich storytelling I began to develop a foundation in Buddhist principles. But at the same time, the teachings felt distant, both culturally and geographically. I then sought out more contemporary teachers, which led me to people like Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, Ram Dass, and Pema Chödrön. I eventually discovered Sam Harris’ Waking Up, which resonated deeply and that led me to the app. It was a turning point.

Before Waking Up, I was a bit lost on how to organize these new thoughts and apply them in everyday life but the app quickly provided me with the direction I was missing. My wife and I went through the introductory meditation course together and after those 28 days I was hooked. (I’ve since returned to that course several times over the years.)

Through Waking Up, I’ve become a huge fan of David Whyte.

The first time I heard his words and his delivery I felt an immediate connection to his craft. Listening to him recite his poetry and essays in Waking Up is, to me, as beneficial as a formal, seated meditation.

I have many of David’s books, and when I read his words on the page I certainly feel something. But when I hear him deliver those words with his unique rhythm and timbre, I feel something much greater. It’s truly a performance. He uses repetition often, circling back to certain lines in ways that are not reflected on the page, and that speaks to me as an improviser. I can relate to his sense of form and I’ve tried to introduce his approach into my compositions and arrangements.

On numerous occasions I’ve thought, “how did he know that I needed to hear that again?” David’s words are so potent that it often takes more than one time through to grasp their depth. I find that, through this intuitive repetition, I have a much different relationship to the piece than if it was just on the page.

Poets can be rockstars, too.

As I started to get more into the app, I developed a deeper relationship with a lot of the teachings and teachers. It reminded me of being a teenager discovering new music and looking up to my rockstar heroes. These figures don’t know who I am but I feel like I’m getting to know them better.

That's how I feel about someone like David Whyte. He's a rockstar! His writing inspires me to explore my inner world and create music that is reflective of what I may find. I rarely give myself permission to do those kinds of self-inquiries, but his writing invites me to do so when I might not have the courage to do it on my own.

In an effort to allow all of my influences to coexist in an organic way, I like to imagine what it would be like if they were sitting across from each other and exchanging ideas. What would the conversation between David Whyte and John Coltrane and Bob Marley be like? or Thich Nhat Hanh and David Bowie? The more I can integrate my influences, the more my music can be true to who I am.

Waking Up inspired my latest album, questions (volume one).

Prior to questions (volume one), there was a gulf between the discoveries I was making via Waking Up and my artistic output, but as I started working on this album something felt different. The timing was right to create something that was much more attuned to the work I was doing internally.

I think of art as a collaborative effort. I might create something and have my own ideas of what it is, but it isn't really complete until it's digested by an audience. This music was inspired by my own experiences but I welcome each listener’s unique interpretation and invite them to find their own meaning.

I used to be focused on answers. Now, I’m much more interested in asking the right questions.

Mark Guiliana