Has Cat/Yusuf found himself?

[Starlight]

Music is always spiritual. It can never be seen or touched. Spirit and religion are two different things. Rellgion is a belief system held by a human being. I have no interest in Yusuf's personal belief systems. I am only interested in the sound of the music produced by Yusuf. If I like it I will buy it, if I don't, I won't. Those of us who have no interest in Yusuf's religion have just as much right to state our point of view as those who do. So, I am going to "listen to the wind of Yusuf's soul" and let it take me where it will...

[Huru]

Thank you for your opinion Starlight. So we agree that we can both state our opinions and our interests, correct?!

[Daddy-o]

"Secular" is an expression I've possibly used myself but it cannot be - Yusuf is bound to express himself in a religious way, as a man of faith and peace. "Secular" is a sweeping generalisation and I don't see the point of pigeon-holing everything. I don't see a secular or religious section at Tower Records or HMV!! It's really funny because a lot of Yusuf's 70s music isn't secular!! I hope that we can all discuss the faith aspect in a moderate way. As Tydirious points out, it's best left to the man himself to explain, if he wants, and it sounds like he has on the new album.

[PixieDust]

kareema113 said:

[

As I will continue to state, as huru and others do as well, that it is virtually impossible to discuss Br. Yusuf's life, music and anything else I can think of without acknowledging the impact Islam has on all he does. As much as you would like to tell me that all religions would like to go to Paradise, as far as I know, only one refers to the 70,000 who will enter directly through the gates into that Paradise without being judged on Judgement Day. This is a line in one of the new songs. Perhaps when the lyrics are easy to see in the jacket liner, this will be easier to explain.

kareema

As far as you know.. in your own words. Again, this is not a thread about religion. However, you are mistaken. Just because Islam states "70,000" does not mean there are not other interpretations in every single religion on this planet. You are not exclusive. Everyone thinks their religion is the only way to go.

Again.... this thread was not meant to be religious as much as some of you would like to make it that way.

Secular.. mainstream... whatever. This is how the album was described. Maybe I should have checked with you people first??

[sunspark*]

I think daddy-o has it right, moderation is the absolute key here - nobody likes having somebody else's belief shoved down their throats. Yusuf can speak to us for himself, I don't need an interpreter.

And like Salsabil, I don't understand the undercurrent of hostility -shouldn't we all be happy he's got a cd out, this is great!! good things to come! ;D ;D ;D

[salsabil]

kareema113 said:

pixiedust said:

I must have been mistaken. I thought the new album was secular, not religious.

And people of all religions wish to go to Paradise, not just Muslims. Really, let's keep the religion out of this thread. It was not meant to be that way.

Yes, I believe you are mistaken. The album is "mainstream". This is the designation given in the emel article. "Secular" is a term which is apparently being used interchangeably by some journalists... they are not at all the same.

As I will continue to state, as huru and others do as well, that it is virtually impossible to discuss Br. Yusuf's life, music and anything else I can think of without acknowledging the impact Islam has on all he does. As much as you would like to tell me that all religions would like to go to Paradise, as far as I know, only one refers to the 70,000 who will enter directly through the gates into that Paradise without being judged on Judgement Day. This is a line in one of the new songs. Perhaps when the lyrics are easy to see in the jacket liner, this will be easier to explain.

kareema

To me, this kind of post is the problem.

I don't think people object to discussing the spirituality within this new ablum, but having religion, (Any religion for that matter), shoved in your face each time you try and discuss it can become tiring as well as annoying.

I think that most faiths believe in a Paradise/Heaven/Higher conciousness, etc, etc.
Leave people to their beliefs without trying to prove them wrong, that is when it starts getting defensive and it's the last thing that I would think Yusuf would want.

The man does NOT need us to speak for him, he speaks quite well on his own!

As someone before me posted, let the music take you where your heart wants to go, simple as that.

Peace out.

[salsabil]

george2 said:

"Secular" is an expression I've possibly used myself but it cannot be - Yusuf is bound to express himself in a religious way, as a man of faith and peace. "Secular" is a sweeping generalisation and I don't see the point of pigeon-holing everything. I don't see a secular or religious section at Tower Records or HMV!! It's really funny because a lot of Yusuf's 70s music isn't secular!! I hope that we can all discuss the faith aspect in a moderate way. As Tydirious points out, it's best left to the man himself to explain, if he wants, and it sounds like he has on the new album.

Amen to this, amen to this!

[salsabil]

huru33 said:

Thank you Salsabil, that could and should have been the ending to my post, so thank you for writing it! Indeed, it is a most happy time... have just finished listening to the entire album several times. It is indeed very, very good, a truly good experience and feeling.

Yes, I am jealous, I haven't gotten mine yet!
Do you like each song on the album??
Is there any track you are not so keen on?
(Paitence is not one of my better qualities.

I love that he has a Rumi inspired song, I've always loved the words of Rumi, so much beauty.

Impatiently waiting, stilllll.

Salsabil

[Chris]

Yusuf created this beautiful gift to try to help bring people together. To help the world understand each other a little better, through his gift of music. Yes, it is spiritual in content, but it is also an album of brotherly love and unity. I think both fractions can see and apreciate this new album for what it is. Though not everyone will believe in it's content in the exact same light. Neither is wrong. Let's just enjoy the album for what it is. A gift of music to all fans, Muslim and non Muslim.

There is no need to get upset over any of this, We all are here for the same reason, we love the mans music.

Or as Yusufs says...

The eternal source of love is implanted in every part of existence
The desire for another
Though night and day outwardly appear as enemies
Yet both serve one purpose
Each seeking the other

[Huru]

Hi Salsabil,

I just downloaded the thing from iTunes yesterday, but I couldn't get the UK bonus track (There is Peace). Of course, I will be purchasing the Deluxe version, but right now it is and has been raining cats and dogs here in Portland so that will have to wait... I understand "There is Peace" is on the Deluxe version of An Other Cup.

First of all, having been a teenager in the Sixties and a fan of the "original" Animals cover,
I love Yusuf's cover of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. One of the best cuts on the album! And of course, Heaven/Where True Love Goes... a truly sublime song, to me the best on the album.

Being a long-time student of *Sufism, I love Track 10: The Beloved, and Whispers From a Spiritual Garden, In The End, and of course I Think I See The Light. I do love Rumi, and I also hope that in the future Yusuf will include the words of other Sufi mystics such as Yunus Emre, Al Ghazzali, Kabir, etc. (hint, hint!)

I did feel that his voice was a bit weak on a couple of cuts (I will leave it to others to discover this for themselves-or not), and I was kind of wondering why they didn't re-take those sections although on second thought leaving that in was probably intentional. The fact is though that most of Yusuf's former voice is still there, and it is a blessing to hear. (Uh oh, I'm choking up!)

Music is the Harmony of the Spheres, however it is experienced. And we get to enjoy the harmony of Yusuf's sphere!

Huru

*********

*There are many very good and quite readable articles about Sufism on the internet, if people wish to know what it is and learn more about it. Sufism has been called the mystical branch of Islam. It is also considered universal by many people. To me it is both. Here is a link to an article about spiritual music... I come from two Sufi traditions that intensely utilize music and poetry for spiritual development.
www.spiritsound.com/khan3.html
www.spiritsound.com/khan.html
lilytears.com/arts/music/hik-msm.htm

[Huru]

"Everyone thinks their religion is the only way to go."

True that, which is why we have many Universalist approaches cropping up in the past 3-4 decades.

Like Daddy-o and others have said, it is possible to discuss the spiritual aspects of Yusuf's music without getting heavily into religion. The only thing I take issue with here is people trying to hush me up while stating their own opinion. It is obvious from my posts that I am not a pushy dogmatist. I feel fortunate to have found a path, at age 23 many many moons ago, that is about Love, about Music, about Harmony, about Unity, without precepts or dogma. People can follow precepts if they wish (and I often do), but the Essence is what we're all after.

[Turan]

A quotes from Hume’s ‘A Standard of Taste’.
“Among a thousand different opinions which different men may entertain of the same subject, there is one, and but one, that is just and true; and the only difficulty is to fix and ascertain it. On the contrary, a thousand different sentiments, excited by the same object, are all right: Because no sentiment represents what is really in the object.”
and~
“Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty. One person may even perceive deformity, where another is sensible of beauty; and every individual ought to acquiesce in his own sentiment, without pretending to regulate those of others."

[berber]

Kelly, Jane. "Worlds Apart: People thought I was mad when I stopped being Cat Stevens the rock star — but I've never been happier", Daily Mail, 1998-03-24. Retrieved on 2006-05-06.

[salsabil]

huru33 said:

Hi Salsabil,

I just downloaded the thing from iTunes yesterday, but I couldn't get the UK bonus track (There is Peace). Of course, I will be purchasing the Deluxe version, but right now it is and has been raining cats and dogs here in Portland so that will have to wait... I understand "There is Peace" is on that version of An Other Cup.

First of all, having been a teenager in the Sixties and a fan of the "original" Animals cover,
I love Yusuf's cover of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. One of the best cuts on the album! And of course, Heaven/Where True Love Goes... a truly sublime song, to me the best on the album.

Being a long-time student of *Sufism, I love Track 10: The Beloved, and Whispers From a Spiritual Garden, In The End, and of course I Think I See The Light. I do love Rumi, and I also hope that in the future Yusuf will include the words of other Sufi mystics such as Yunus Emre, Al Ghazzali, Kabir, etc. (hint, hint!)

I did feel that his voice was a bit weak on a couple of cuts (I will leave it to others to discover this for themselves-or not), and I was kind of wondering why they didn't re-take those sections although on second thought leaving that in was probably intentional. The fact is though that most of Yusuf's former voice is still there, and it is a blessing to hear. (Uh oh, I'm choking up!)

Music is the Harmony of the Spheres, however it is experienced. And we get to enjoy the harmony of Yusuf's sphere!

Huru

*********

*There are many very good and quite readable articles about Sufism on the internet, if people wish to know what it is and learn more about it. Sufism has been called the mystical branch of Islam. It is also considered universal by many people. To me it is both. Here is a link to an article about spiritual music... I come from two Sufi traditions that intensely utilize music and poetry for spiritual development.
www.spiritsound.com/khan3.html
www.spiritsound.com/khan.html

Thanks for your great review and the links, Huru!
Let's throw Hafiz into that "Hint hint."

As well, thanks for being such a wise voice here at Majicat.

Salsabil

[Huru]

Let's throw Hafiz into that "hint hint"

Ah yes, Hafiz... and so many others! So many mystics, so much time...

[Huru]

Kelly, Jane. "Worlds Apart: People thought I was mad when I stopped being Cat Stevens the rock star — but I've never been happier", Daily Mail, 1998-03-24. Retrieved on 2006-05-06.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful: By the declining day, Lo! man is in a state of loss, Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. quran surat (Al-Asr)

[/blockquote]

Very nice berber, thank you.

[CatLike75]

likecat75 said:

I am wondering if after all these years of trying to find peace and direction in his life, has anyone heard him address this subject in any interview. We hear why he's come back, but nothing about if he's happy now and if he feels it was all worth it. It seems to me that his whole 27 year journey has taken him back to where he originally started, music. I just hope he found what it was he was searching for.

I finally got my answer in this interview. Thanks, Lucy. Speaking about leaving his old fans behind, and a reason he's come back, he says, "Probably I was a little bit insensitive at that time, but I found what I was looking for, you know, I was happy".

news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/shared/player/player.stm?title=YusufIslam%20releases%20new%20album&clipurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/video/66000/nb/66275_16x9_nb!asx&cs=news

[Lucy13]

likecat75 said:

likecat75 said:

I am wondering if after all these years of trying to find peace and direction in his life, has anyone heard him address this subject in any interview. We hear why he's come back, but nothing about if he's happy now and if he feels it was all worth it. It seems to me that his whole 27 year journey has taken him back to where he originally started, music. I just hope he found what it was he was searching for.

I finally got my answer in this interview. Thanks, Lucy. Speaking about leaving his old fans behind, and a reason he's come back, he says, "Probably I was a little bit insensitive at that time, but I found what I was looking for, you know, I was happy".

news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/shared/player/player.stm?title=YusufIslam%20releases%20new%20album&clipurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/video/66000/nb/66275_16x9_nb!asx&cs=news

Huh?? I only just joined this thread.

Anyway... what I think is.....

Well... what I think, is that yes, he's expressed many times in interviews that he has reached a place of "inner peace". But I think maybe he also yearned for a bit (just a bit) of the old fun. (hey, I could be wrong, but that's my guess). And as Jancat says, life IS often about coming "full circle" .. and it seems quite reasonable to me that he's experienced some of that too, of late. A "homecoming" of sorts. (Now if only we could have a "homecoming to the USA" to greet a few of his long-time loyal supporters...

Poor man... He's torn in all different directions.. but you know, it's so touching. He's ALWAYS introduced last in articles, TV specials, radio specials, etc., etc.. IOW, people REALLY and truly love him. Dearly. You can see it in their faces, hear it in their voices. He's so very loved by most of the world, and this must feel like a huge responsibility for him.

Wow, I've really rambled... I hope he gets some peace in the midst of all this touring he's finding himself doing!!

[Lucy13]

Oh yeah... also.. (not to judge, but just an observation), I like his references to Zen and Sufism of late. It's quite refreshing.

[harmonie]

I think you're mostly right (well except for the "torn in all directions part"). I think he's doing exactly what he wants to be doing. And I'll be so bold as to say I think a part of him is enjoying the spotlight again. (I actually think a part of him missed it all along). After all, he really doesn't have to be doing this or need to be doing this. He's had success in many diverse areas already....at this stage in his life it's just frosting

[Lucy13]

You could be right, h. But then again, maybe he's truly conflicted. Coz he does keep saying that he's "being pushed very hard" (to tour)... he probably feels two ways about it. None of us is so cut and dried. But I definitely agree that this is greatly his own doing.

[harmonie]

lucy13 said:

You could be right, h. But then again, maybe he's truly conflicted. Coz he does keep saying that he's "being pushed very hard" (to tour)... he probably feels two ways about it. None of us is so cut and dried. But I definitely agree that this is greatly his own doing.

Yes, but this is a guy who at the age of 30 (?) walked away from fame, lucrative contracts, everything. So I really don't think now at nearly 60 years of age he is going to let anyone push him around. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said he has been yearning for some fun. He's been heavily involved with charity and education for 2 decades now. And all the headaches, red tape, rules and regulations involved with those areas. Most people involved in those areas burn out in far shorter periods of time. Music is probably a breath of fresh air for him. By now surely he has people who run his schools and charities for him. This is his time now to experiment and have some fun. That's how I see it. Actually I wish he'd just go with it and drop all of the justifications (it's getting a little boring ). But I guess I do understand why he feels the need to explain that it's okay for him to be dipping back into the music world again; clearly there are some who disapprove. I guess it comes down to taking the bad with the good.

[harmonie]

Oh and one last thing to Lucy (and anyone else who might be reading along ) . The part about him coming last in interviews, programs, etc. Although I think he's been well received for the most part, I do think his comeback is viewed as a bit of an oddity to the world at large. At least to those that are paying attention The "going last" bit sort of reminds me of the editorial spot or the special interest story at the end of the nightly news. Sort of like the teaser to get people to watch the whole program. In other words it's just good programming.

It's all about the comeback right now. Once he's past the comeback, he'll need to do something to sustain the interest.

And to say he is loved by most of the world is a bit strong. I think (for any artist) the existence of on-line fan communities tend to create a skewed illusion. In actuality, the world is quite a larger (and often less caring) place. I will give you this though: he is huge in Turkey ;D

[Golden Sands]

jancat said:

If you believe in the circular theory of life, then it follows that Yusuf has come full circle, at least in his musical life.

You're right about the circle, in a way.. I think anyone who embarks on a search for truth, peace and enlightenment will find himself/herself turning in a circle, but at the same time moving forward always.. It's like a spiral staircase. Karen Armstrong's (http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0330/p16s01-bogn.html) latest memoir is titled "The Spiral Staircase." She begins the book with the first part of a poem called "Ash Wednesday" by T.S.Elliot. This poem describes someone who has been turning in circles and has surrendered towards the end of his life (surrendered, I guess, to the will of God):

Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn
Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope
I no longer strive to strive towards such things
(Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?)
Why should I mourn
The vanished power of the usual reign?

Because I do not hope to know
The infirm glory of the positive hour
Because I do not think
Because I know I shall not know
The one veritable transitory power
Because I cannot drink
There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again

Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place
I rejoice that things are as they are and
I renounce the blessèd face
And renounce the voice
Because I cannot hope to turn again
Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something
Upon which to rejoice

And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain
Because I do not hope to turn again
Let these words answer
For what is done, not to be done again
May the judgement not be too heavy upon us

Because these wings are no longer wings to fly
But merely vans to beat the air
The air which is now thoroughly small and dry
Smaller and dryer than the will
Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still.

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.

[CatLike75]

lucy13 said:

likecat75 said:

I finally got my answer in this interview. Thanks, Lucy. Speaking about leaving his old fans behind, and a reason he's come back, he says, "Probably I was a little bit insensitive at that time, but I found what I was looking for, you know, I was happy".

news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/shared/player/player.stm?title=YusufIslam%20releases%20new%20album&clipurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/video/66000/nb/66275_16x9_nb!asx&cs=news

Huh?? I only just joined this thread.

Anyway... what I think is.....

Well... what I think, is that yes, he's expressed many times in interviews that he has reached a place of "inner peace". But I think maybe he also yearned for a bit (just a bit) of the old fun. (hey, I could be wrong, but that's my guess). And as Jancat says, life IS often about coming "full circle" .. and it seems quite reasonable to me that he's experienced some of that too, of late. A "homecoming" of sorts. (Now if only we could have a "homecoming to the USA" to greet a few of his long-time loyal supporters...

Poor man... He's torn in all different directions.. but you know, it's so touching. He's ALWAYS introduced last in articles, TV specials, radio specials, etc., etc.. IOW, people REALLY and truly love him. Dearly. You can see it in their faces, hear it in their voices. He's so very loved by most of the world, and this must feel like a huge responsibility for him.

Wow, I've really rambled... I hope he gets some peace in the midst of all this touring he's finding himself doing!!

Lucy, I realize you must be a little confused. I meant to thank you for posting the interview. In my original post, I asked if anyone had actually heard him say if he was now truly happy, and then I got only opinions, speculations, and analyzations by others. In this interview, he specifically says that he is happy now.