Lessons In Diversity From An Orchestra

Welcome to this meditation on how we can celebrate adversity by looking down at an orchestra. Looking down, we marvel at the ability of a group of people to come together and play an assortment of instruments in harmony. And it is the same with people. It is the differences between people that give color, variety, and interest to what would otherwise be a dull, boring homogeneity.

Music: String e – Alexander Nakara. Photo by Manuel Nägeli on Unsplash

Transcript

Dear friends,

Isn't it interesting how ideas for reflection and meditation can come to you in almost any place?

Welcome to this meditation on how we can celebrate diversity by looking down at an orchestra.

But first take a few moments to shake off anything which might be interfering with your peace of mind at this present moment.

Make yourself comfortable,

Get into a comfortable position on your chair or on a favoured cushion.

Close your eyes if you feel that that might be helpful but don't feel any pressure to do that.

The important thing is to relax.

Relax,

Really relax.

Taking in a deep refreshing breath and as you breathe out letting go of any tension which you might be feeling.

Now it might take more than one breath to achieve this feeling of calm.

So let's take a minute,

Just 60 seconds to breathe in and out mindfully and help you on your way.

Fran and I were at a concert a few days ago.

It happened to be a concert made up of musicians and a choir,

People with impaired vision.

Some of the musicians and the choir members were totally blind.

I mentioned this in passing just to say how inspiring it was to see people overcoming these challenges,

Providing wonderful entertainment for an audience in the National Concert Hall.

Seeing them was a lesson for life that's an example for all of us.

But what came to my mind which gave rise to this meditation is noticing the ability of a group of people to come together and play an assortment of instruments in harmony.

It reminded me of how marvellous it is that we are all so different and this is something to be celebrated rather than rejected.

Just imagine looking down on a group of people all playing the very same instrument and compare this with the harmonious melodies which arise when we listen to an orchestra made up of many different instruments.

The resulting music can raise our spirits and bring us to another place.

Imagine a piano,

The keys of which all played the same note,

Not very interesting.

It is the different instruments in the orchestra playing together that provides the wonderful harmony that encourages us to travel from home,

To see,

To listen and to be inspired.

And it's the same with people.

It's the differences between people that gives colour,

Variety and interest to what would otherwise be a dull,

Boring homogeneity.

We on this planet are an interconnected community of life.

This is the position whether we realise it or not.

Most of us will remember radiation leaks arising from places such as Tremile Island in 1979,

Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011.

The fallout from these incidents was not confined to the immediate area of the plants concerned.

And we see also how easy it is for viruses and illnesses to spread across the world.

Something beginning in one place can have an effect thousands of miles away in a very short time.

When we reflect on this interdependence and interconnectivity,

How can we agree that it's reasonable to separate people?

To separate them according to colour,

Race,

Sex,

Age,

Religion,

Sexual orientation or any of the other differences we use to place ourselves in different boxes.

It makes no sense whatsoever.

We see superficial differences,

But when you go even a little below the surface,

We realise that we all share a common bond,

A common humanity.

Now this is not to say that we are all the same.

That would be horrific.

We are each unique.

Each and every one of us is different.

No one will see this world in exactly the same way as you will.

And no one but you will be able to make your unique contribution to the world.

The fact that we are all different is something to be celebrated rather than feared.

So what is the message of this reflection?

Let's all work together to bring about acceptance of difference,

To bring about an appreciation of diversity.

Let us love the differences we see in people,

Just as we rejoice when we hear the different instruments in the orchestra.

A last pause for reflection now before a final prayer.

And now to end this meditation,

A prayer from the Lutheran Book of Worship,

Minister's Desk Edition.

O God,

You created all people in your image.

We thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in the world.

Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship,

And show us your presence in those who differ most from us,

Until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children.

Through your Son,

Jesus Christ,

Our Lord.

That prayer from the Christian Tradition.

Namaste.

Reviews

Appreciated the simple way you discuss the concept.

What a beautiful tour through the human mind and heart. Thank you for showing us these lovely stained glass windows. Thank you for the divine reminder that we are all facets of the same great diamond. Thank you for the beautiful prayer. 🙏Namasté. 👁🫶

This is another great practice Tony. I love the analogies. Thanks

Excellent as always!!
Love the music with this meditation!

Magnificent. An orchestra - what a lovely idea for reflection.

So resoundingly taught, teacher Tony, and heartily received. Thank you! Let it be. 🙏❤️🙏❗️

That was simply beautiful. I especially can appreciate the message, as my daughter is a violinist. I will share this meditation with her. Thank you Tony 🕊️

This is a powerful reminder of harmony among all people.
Thank you for sharing this message.
Namaste 🙏

How simple it would be to celebrate our unique differences but safely fear of the “other” is what’s poisoning our society. How simple it would be to embrace things as they are. 🙏🏻

Dear Tony, thank you…no doubt your words come from God… you always deliver deep messages to make a better and serve the world. Be blessed

I always enjoy your meditations and appreciated your teachings. As an added bonus to your words is the amazing background music you have. This one is beautiful. Thanks for your meditations and your music choices.

A message the world needs to hear daily. The greatest unity comes from our beautiful diversity. Thank you for this Tony.

Dear Tony
The orchestra is a wonderful metaphor for the diversity of life and a blessing for you and Fran to go together in your loving companionship to hear them.
I can imagine the extra brilliance and heightened awareness these players bring to their sounds because of being blind. How wonderful to hear them.
🌿🙏🏼🌿

I have been listening to the Choral Scholars of the University of Dublin . Particularly loving their rendition of Mo Ghille Mear. ☘️

Amen🙏🏻the prayer sums up your reflection well~Thank you.
We are many parts…we are all one body….🛐

Thanks Tony!! Your words of wisdom, kindness, and support are always so inspiring and appreciated! Namaste 🙏🏽✨✨🩶🩶🍃🩷🤍

Wonderful and gentle message. So many parallels. Thanks Tony.

Lovely, as usual, Tony. I love looking at the Orchestra. I sing in a choir and love tne blending of the different voices to make one sound. Namaste 🫶🙏

Thank you, Heavenly Father. Help me see and love my fellow brothers and sisters as You see and love me. ♥️🙏🏻

How wonderful it was to listen to your meditation on welcoming difference and diversity. And all inspired by watching and listening to a special concert where all musicians played their different individual instruments in unison and harmony to create music that transcended their individual talents and achievements. I very much support the theme of your meditation. Thank you. Warm greetings from across the two seas for you and Fran. Namaste 🤓🙏🏻

Thank you so much as ever Tony. You put it perfectly. Very cheering to hear on a rainy Monday morning in these gloomy times and at any time.