Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra

This document analyzes the main themes and key ideas presented by The William Altig Choir.

Overarching Themes:

• Love and Loss: Several tracks grapple with themes of lost love, heartbreak, and the lingering pain of absence. “Love Fades Away” directly addresses this, with lyrics like “Why did you go? Left me alone.” “But He Loves Me” explores finding solace and strength in love amidst negativity and self-doubt.
• Spiritual Journey and Self-Discovery: Many excerpts explore the quest for truth. Pieces like “Clear Light Blues,” “From Dhukha’s Veil,” and “Lookin’ for the Realms” delve into enlightenment. They offer a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe. These tracks employ metaphors of light, darkness, and internal struggles.
• Resilience and Hope: “We Were Born to Win” and “When One Door Closes” emphasize overcoming challenges. They highlight staying strong in the face of adversity. These songs encourage finding hope even in difficult times. The imagery of storms, battles, and rising again is prominent.
• Justice and Compassion: Tracks like “Justice Blues” and “Never Disparaging Blues” explore the pursuit of justice. They advocate for kindness and understanding. They also recognize the inherent worth of all beings. “The Magic Tree” uses the symbol of a tree to represent the power of communication and shared understanding.

Key Ideas and Excerpts:

Love and Loss:

• “Love Fades Away”: Captures the raw emotion of heartbreak and the feeling of emptiness left by a departed loved one. “No one to hold. We had our dreams. Now give your dust.”
• “But He Loves Me”: Illustrates finding strength and liberation through love, even when surrounded by negativity and self-doubt. “But I found the words to set me free. I cried out loud. But he loves me.”

Spiritual Journey and Self-Discovery:

• “Clear Light Blues”: Depicts the struggle to overcome fear and embrace a guiding light of truth and clarity. “Let me see you for what you are. Not a distant dream, but my shining star.”
• “From Dhukha’s Veil”: Celebrates liberation from suffering and the pursuit of knowledge, creativity, and individuality. “No more bound, no more confined. Reason rings. It’s clear. It’s kind.”

Resilience and Hope:

• “We Were Born to Win”: Inspires perseverance and determination with powerful imagery of strength and resilience. “Got a heart like a lion. Soul that’s on fire. In the ashes we’ll find our desire.”
• “When One Door Closes”: Encourages embracing change and finding opportunity in new beginnings, even amidst setbacks. “The winds may blow. I hold strong. Better days are coming. It won’t be long.”

Justice and Compassion:

• “Justice Blues”: Advocates for standing up for what is right. It promotes seeking truth and fighting for justice in a world often filled with darkness. “In this world of strife where the truth must rise. We’ll find our way under the righteous guys.”
• “Never Disparaging Blues”: Promotes unwavering kindness, seeing the potential for good in everyone, and refusing to belittle or demean others. “Oh, I won’t ever know. I won’t ever put you down. You’re a Buddha in the making. Wearing a hidden crown.”

Other Notable Ideas:

• “Do Not Share”: Cautions against sharing wisdom indiscriminately and emphasizes the importance of discernment and preparedness.
• “Reflection of Love”: Stresses the importance of self-love and recognizing one’s inherent worth.
• “The Magic Tree”: Utilizes the metaphor of a tree to symbolize the power of language. It shows how communication and understanding can bridge divides. This fosters compassion.
• “Turn, Turn, Turn”: Reflects on the cyclical nature of life. It highlights seasons of joy and pain. It contrasts love and hate. It explores the constant turning of the wheel of time.
• “Mind’s Eye Blues”: Explores the nature of the mind, consciousness, and the search for truth through various methods and perspectives.
• “The Shepherds Storm”: Tells a parable about finding strength and solace in unexpected places during challenging times.
• “The Steve Cycle Blues”: Presents a humorous take on repetitive relationship patterns and the desire to break free from them.
• “Yo, the strength of kindness”: Emphasizes the power of kindness and inner strength, even when facing external threats and negativity.

This doc provides a starting point. It helps in understanding the diverse themes and ideas. These are woven throughout the music of The William Altig Choir. Further analysis and contextualization would be beneficial to fully appreciate the depth and nuances of each track.