Shaolin Records

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American Zen albums?

LEVEL 3 Webstory:

I Got A Job

by The Hippy Coyote

I got a job in a Triumph motorcyle shop.

That's really cool since I ride a Triumph.

I got it from Steve.

Yep, Steve our drummer.

And he gave me a great deal on it.

He'd just inherited some money and wanted a bigger bike.

Hey, I've been getting second hand clothes all my life.

A second hand bike is fine with me.

Especially from Steve.

Steve's what we call a 'neat nut.'

Everything has a place.

His ashtrays are as clean as my dishes.

But he takes real good care of his belongings.

Better than any of us.

Steve polishes his car, armouralls his upholstery, and always has nice new clothes.

So his bike was / is a work of art.

He had the tank painted with red flames and chromed every part of the 650cc motor and carburator...

Then he did something really cool! He had these forks custom made.

I was so proud to get this bike. These handlebars are so awesome!!!

Oh yeah and extended front forks...

Yep. I've got a cool bike.

Yep. I've got a cool job.

Yep. I've got a great band.

Yep. I've got a great life.

Is that cool?

Can I measure my life when it's going good?

If I would've measured my life last year:

Nope. No cool bike.

Nope. No cool job.

Yep. I've got a great band. (But we were spread out from California to Utah).

Nope. I wasn't really pleased with my life.

Uh oh. Buddhist sin.

I realize that Buddhism is teaching me to find peace of mind and contentment no matter how bad things are going.

Yeah, I know. Sounds okay on paper.

But you know. It's been working for me.

I decided to give up all my comforts in Salt Lake City and head back to civilization. Heehee.

That wasn't as easy as you might think.

I've got a lot of stuff.

I had to rent a 26' moving van AND a TOWBAR to pull my van with. I must've weighed a few tons and that's not an easy drive from California to Utah.

Just ask the pioneers.

There are hills. (Scariest going down and trying to keep from gaining too much speed or jack-knifing by braking too hard...I was scared a few times...my son Rory in the cab...I realized I'd better think of me and what I'm doing...then he'll be safe too...)

There were cliffs.

There were GLORIOUS SUNRISES.

I can still remember some spectacular sunrises and sunsets on that odyssey.

Back to my point:

I made my life HARDER-- to do what I believed in.

And unfortunately, life's not been great since I returned.

But it feels better. Somehow.

I just know I'm in the right place and doing the right thing.

Even if it doesn't seem like it.

I was better off in most ways back in Utah. I was comfy. Had my homestudio and played all the nightclubs...but sometimes you just 'know.'

That's another Buddhist thing.

Zen.

Truth.

Know the truth.

See the truth.

Live the truth.

I've also realized there are two different kinds of FEELINGS.

There are the sensory and emotional feelings. They control our life for the most part--which makes us stupid.

Then there are those instinctive feelings that make us smarter. Not animal instincts.

A spiritual sense.

The ability to KNOW what's right and what's wrong. Even when you don't really know.

Right now I need to be working.

And finally!

I got a job.

The other guys don't have to work.

I should be making money selling my songs...and records...but that hasn't happened yet.

Yet.

It will.

If it doesn't.

No matter.

I'm doing what I do whether I get paid or not.

I love making music.

Money or no money.

Ah.

Well.

That's true. I play music for free more than I play for money and I write songs when I feel like it. Not because I have to or have been paid to...

But I could use some money.

Does that sound bad?

Well, it's true.

Honesty is a good Buddhist thing. Right?

So, I'm just honestly saying, "I'd like some more money."

There. That's not too greedy sounding is it?

But hey!

I got a job!

It's kinda fun. I get out the exploded schematics of each customer's Triumph motorcyle and we find the part.

I look up that number, fetch the part, and success. Happy customer.

It's fun.

It feels good to do a good job.

It feels good to be of service.

I like helping people.

Coyote
Head Zenner
American Zen

Next page of the LEVEL 3 Website

CD Album Title:  "LEVEL 3 = I Want You To Love Me"
Artist:  American Zen
Record Company:  Shaolin Records
Released:  September 11, 2008