There is a Buddhist term called annata or “no-self.” The idea behind it is that we are actually just a constantly changing combination of five things called Skandhas. The Skandhas are often described as: form, feeling, perception, volition , and consciousness.

I’m not going to get into describing all of them in detail. But if I can play with the idea that I’m in a constant state of flux reacting to outside stimuli it makes it kind of difficult to pinpoint where the “me” that is experiencing all of these things begins and ends. I often find this idea useful when I fall into unhealthy cycles of self judgement or judging others.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell where music begins and ends. Sometimes there are sounds happening at the same time as a musical performance. Someone coughs or an ambulance with its siren wailing passes by outside on the street. Sometimes it’s the other way around. I was hanging out on the beach one time, listening to the calming effects of the waves, and before I knew it this family came by with a loud radio and planted themselves right beside me.

In both of those situations I might catch myself being annoyed and then consequently pulled away from the moment that I was enjoying. By practicing annata often I am able to roll with things better and see things (as my teacher puts it) “as part of the grand cosmic symphony!”

Below is a playlist of songs that have resonated with me in the past month. I hope they bring more joy to your life. Thanks for listening, MMM

Included are songs by: Horsegirl, Al-Qasar, Lee Ranaldo, El Shirota, Orgone, Hello Mary, Skull Snaps, Alex G, Kristeen Young, Damien Jurado, Theon Cross, Thee Oh Sees, Grateful Dead, Gustaf, Four Tet

(Subscribe to get a new playlist every 1st Monday of the month. Click on my user link or search: Major Matt’s 1st Monday on Spotify to cruise past playlists and discover more music.)