Music is a potion and elixir for me. Maynard James Keenan’s (MJK) work with Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer have been incredibly helpful for me beginning over 20 years ago. I have listened often to MJK in the past two years while recovering the pieces of myself following years of self-abuse and the “bottoming out” following the demise of my marriage.
I fully recognize the resistance you may feel in reading that pain is an illusion. When we are experiencing pain it can be all consuming and all encompassing at the time. Physical pain can often be easier to feel that emotional, or worse, spiritual pain. When we surrender in the moment, we can find that our pain begins to subside.
“All this pain is an illusion” is found in the songs Parabol & Parabola by Tool. These two songs are incredibly powerful and are best listened to consecutively, as the lyrics for the songs mirror one another.
While in Parabol one feels like one is descending with the decrescendo of the music, in Parabola, the music seems to be an ascension. Both songs are from the album Lateralus, which is based on the Fibonnacci sequence.
These two songs, I realize, are very much in alignment with my descent and ascension from the abyss that I experienced this week. I hope you enjoy the music, at the very least the lyrics.
Praise to Maynard James Keenan, you’re a fucking Genius! See you in April!!!
Parabol
by ToolSo familiar and overwhelmingly warm
This one, this form I hold now.
Embracing you, this reality here,
This one, this form I hold now, so
Wide eyed and hopeful.
Wide eyed and hopefully wild.We barely remember what came before this precious moment,
Choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside…
This body holding me, reminding me that I am not alone in
This body makes me feel eternal. All this pain is an illusion.Parabola
by ToolWe barely remember who or what came before this precious moment
We are choosing to be here right now
Hold on, stay inside…[Chorus:]This holy reality, this holy experience
Choosing to be here in…
This body, this body holding me
Be my reminder here that I am not alone in…
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal
All this pain is an illusionAlive!
[Chorus]
Twirling round with this familiar parable
Spinning, weaving round each new experience
Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing
A chance to be alive and breathingThis body holding me reminds me of my own mortality
Embrace this moment, remember, we are eternal
All this pain is an illusion
Namaste
__/|\__ Ananda & Metta
2016.02.28
Image: MJK google
unfiltered from the heart 
MJK is a fucking genius, and is one of, if not my favorite artists! My go to song when I need to be lifted up is Gravity, APC. Intelligent and great post, glad you find solace in their music too. They put on a phenomenal show too, so you’re in for a treat!
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Yes, Gravity is another one! I have a post somewhere about that. I’ll send you a link once I find it.
I’ll see him w Puscifer.
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http://tiffanybeingfree.com/2016/01/25/losing-myself-to-find-myself/
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I’ve seen Tool twice both on the Lateralus tour and it was seeing them live that things really sunk in a great deal for me as well. Having gone through two, yes two marriages and finally finding the woman of my dreams only to lose her to a pulmonary embolism two years later music is indeed an outlet but also that their words are often therapeutic or damaging. Music can be uplifting or a depressant. I understand the marriage demise thing having been there before…twice. You have chosen great songs to express. In some ways I am jealous you have found the ideal pieces to convey emotions. But I am happy for you that you have felt the release. Cheers
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Thank you! I’m humbled by your words re choices. I’m sorry to hear about your losses, it’s sad to hear most the loss of your life’s love. Love to you.
As wetbliss mentioned, Gravity is another healing song. Truthfully, I have a soundtrack for my life. The end of my marriage is demonstrated by “Three Libras” and “Schism.”
Thank you for sharing your story! May you write one that includes a new love!
❤️ Tiffany
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I have to work on a great many things in life and you’re most welcome. i am an open book as I have hit below rock bottom in so many things in life and it’s not a pity party as some have said it is but if we don’t communicate then we have nothing left to lose but time. Cheers : )
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You might be interested in the subject: dark night of the soul.
Wish I had a book to refer you to. Wait… There is one that I have partially read. “Shadows Before Dawn” by Teal Swan.
If I find another, I’ll let ya know! ❤️ Tiffany
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Cheers : ) I’ll check it out for sure asap! Thank you : )
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http://tiffanybeingfree.com/2016/01/25/losing-myself-to-find-myself/
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This was a deep post Tiffany. I have to ponder over it awhile. The music, and lyrics are indeed powerful. 💕
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I love MJK. God in his own right!
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