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

From the heart of the struggle comes a song of profound hope. “Firewood and Flame” is a raw, bluesy folk anthem for anyone who has ever felt weighed down by their own imperfections. With a sound that feels like it was born on a dusty porch at twilight, this track weaves a timeless story of transformation.

The song’s central message is a powerful one: our troubles, our anger, our deepest sorrows—our “firewood”—are not obstacles to be discarded. Instead, they are the very fuel needed to ignite the “flame” of wisdom, compassion, and a resilient spirit. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to wait to be perfect to find peace. The journey to enlightenment begins right where we are, in the middle of our messy, beautiful, and complicated lives.  

“Firewood and Flame” is more than just a song; it’s a universal Dharma teaching wrapped in soulful melodies and honest lyrics. It speaks to the idea that the “Land of Tranquil Light” isn’t a distant paradise, but a reality we can create right here, right now, by transforming our own hearts. This is a track for finding the sacred in the struggle and the light within the darkness.  

Lyrics:

(Intro – Acoustic guitar and a lonely, wailing harmonica. Starts with a lone, melancholic harmonica riff over a simple acoustic guitar pattern.)

(Verse 1–Quiet and reflective. The vocals are almost spoken-sung, drawing the listener into the story.) 
Got a heart full of holes, a head full of doubt 
Tryna be a good soul, but the devil gets out 
Heard you gotta be perfect, gotta wash your hands clean 
To find that sweet heaven, that far-off, peaceful scene 
So I packed up my troubles, tried to leave ’em behind 
But they followed me down every road I could find  

(Chorus—The song opens up. The tempo lifts slightly, the brushed snare comes in, and the backing vocals join to create a feeling of release and dawning realization.) 
But an old master told me, 
“Son, don’t you run… 
That firewood of trouble, that’s where the light comes from 
Your anger’s the kindling, your sorrow’s the coal 
Chant a song to that fire, and make your own spirit whole.”  

(Verse 2–Quiet and reflective. The vocals are almost spoken-sung, drawing the listener into the story.) 
This jealousy’s a poison, this fear is a chain 
Every time that they rise up, I just feel the shame 
Been told they’re my weakness, a flaw in my soul 
Something to get rid of, to make myself whole 
But what if they’re treasures, a compass so true? 
Just pointin’ to the places that need a little love from you  

(Chorus—The song opens up. The tempo lifts slightly, the brushed snare comes in, and the backing vocals join to create a feeling of release and dawning realization.) 
And that old master told me, 
“Son, don’t you run… 
That firewood of trouble, that’s where the light comes from 
Your anger’s the kindling, your sorrow’s the coal 
Chant a song to that fire, and make your own spirit whole.”  

(Bridge—The music pulls back again, becoming more spacious to let the lyrical message land.) 
This ground that I’m standin’, ain’t no cursed land 
It’s the Land of Tranquil Light, right here where 
I stand And the pain that I’m feelin’, I see it in your eyes 
We’re all in this together, beneath these same skies 
To suffer with another… that’s what compassion means 
It’s the wellspring of courage, the river of our dreams.  

(Guitar and Harmonica Solo – a bit more hopeful now, less mournful)

(Chorus) 
Yeah, that old master told me, 
“Friend, don’t you run… 
That firewood of trouble, that’s where the light comes from 
Your anger’s the kindling, your sorrow’s the coal 
Chant a song to that fire, and make your own spirit whole.”  

(Outro—The song deconstructs back to the simple acoustic guitar and a final, hopeful harmonica line that fades out.) 
Yeah, make your spirit whole… 
Just start where you are… got to start right where you are… 
Got this rusty old key… to a palace of stars…  

(Acoustic guitar strums fade out, leaving one last, clear harmonica note hanging in the air.)