Good morning!
So, in honor of returning to the USA and subsequently to Pittsburgh after a busy summer of jet-setting around the East and Midwest I have decided to gear up for a bit of change. That is, trying something new to reset my system and readjust to my television-less life of solitude. For the past three days I have been attempting to carry through on the Master Cleanse or "Lemonade Diet" which, I must say, has a been a wholly fulfilling experience. Paranoid about accuracy in attempting such and extreme body cleansing ritual I consulted as much literature on the subject as I could find, including a few online diaries of progress written by other (somewhat less literate) individuals. Interestingly enough, as I mount day-three of my fast I seem to be suffering identical (and very accurately predicted) effects. I have not eaten solid food since last Saturday, and until today had not experienced any hunger pains. This morning I was awakened by hunger, which, since my morning walk through the woods and first glass of magic lemonade have completely subsided. All in all, they say as long as you can get past day-three you are home free to the end (the cleanse requires fasting on lemonade made of 1/2 squeezed lemon, 2 tbs grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper added to filtered or distilled water for a minimum of ten days [though some people break 40!]) and I must say I am already feeling the results. Since starting my head has been clear, I have been more energetic and much more focused.
Now, many health care "professionals" advise against any detox diet, citing them as potentially dangerous and merely having placebo effect. I have to say, however, taking that into consideration, fasting is a natural part of many ritual traditions in every culture in the world, and a great part of my interest in doing it to "restart" my system is motivated by the mental discipline required. I don't care about losing weight (it will come back once I return to my normal diet) so much as affirming my will power. I also would not be attempting it if I hadn't so many friends who have done it or do it regularly and sing its praises. I may consider making short fasts (a day or two a week) a regular part of my routine, as a symbolic affirmation of my personal mysticism. Here's to eradicating toxins!
On the topic of my morning walk; it is usually a run, however being in a depleted state of carbs and protein I have decided to tone it down to daily "movement" to keep the metabolism up and get my blood moving. This morning I hopped out of bed at 6:00am (I am also endeavoring to reset my schedule to the glory days of undergrad: up at dawn, day of productivity to follow) despite having been awakened at 2:30am by my new downstairs neighbors, apparently musical theatre affiliated, singing in high fluty tenor arpeggios and generally talking loudly (I mean, "projecting"). I threw on my sneakers and set out carrying a mala of Tibetan skull-shaped beads carved from Yak bones (I like to count them as I walk) and had a brisk walk down Wightman and over on to Beacon. About a 1/4 mile down Beacon I was stopped by the marvelous early morning atmosphere; cool, crisp air, purple morning haze in the western sky that delicately washed out to pale blue, capped by a strikingly brilliant and sharp waning full moon. I sat down on the grass and stared up at the moon for a while, thinking back to a wonderful woodcut by Hokusai I once observed in which a "samurai contemplates the full moon" from his deck, beflowered by cherry blossoms. My only thought was the wish that the entire day could have this quality of silence and ethereal beauty, that it could be just after dawn, all day. I guess for that I'll have to move to Iceland or something. On my walk back the sun was just illuminating the clouds in the East, creating magnificent golden razors on the edges of the clouds there.
Inspired by beauty, I shall work on the Kyrie of my Missa Occulta today, having completed the sketch for the prelude yesterday. Later I have to begin sketching ideas for the work inspired by my journey to Europe this summer, which will have a premiere this fall some time following my lecture and slide show. I also have to re-sketch my orchestra piece and have found inspiration in the work of Buckminster Fuller after a recent trip to the Whitney Gallery; planning a work for winds after his Dymaxion Dwelling Machine.
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