Sounds of Freedom

John Malkin

ISBN: 978-1-888375-47-3

1) In Sounds of Freedom singer/guitarist Ani DiFranco describes her efforts to encourage young people to participate in democracy by voting during political elections. In my interview with Utah Phillips, he talks about self-rule and becoming your own government; “The President of the United States of You.” What does self-rule have to do with politics and social transformation and what does self-rule have to do with spirituality and social transformation?

2) Compassion is a central theme running throughout the interviews of Sounds of Freedom. Is compassion – taking interest in the well-being of others – a central part of spiritual transformation and social transformation? What is another quality that is necessary for creating healthy, safe and connected communities?

3) In my interview with Phillip Glass, he speaks of the realization that all spiritual traditions really are talking about the same core ideas. Separation occurs when people think that the particular path that appeals to them is the right path. Why do you think it is that when people become exhilarated by a particular spiritual or political path that there is a tendency to want others to follow that same path?

4) John Trudell says that, “Freedom is a habitual, lazy abstraction” and that “being free” is completely different. He points out that, “Life is about responsibility.” What do you think is the difference between “freedom” and “being free?”

5) The artists featured in Sounds of Freedom describe different ways that they’ve dealt with difficult emotions like fear and anger. How do you deal with anger and fear?

6) Many of the artists in Sounds of Freedom describe how creating and performing music can be a form of meditation, a way of waking up, letting go, relaxing self-absorption and connecting to life and nature. What is your practice for waking up and connecting to life?

7) Michael Franti tells a story about a butterfly and a tree that points to the fact that change is a long-term process and that social change requires intention and action. What changes have you seen during your lifetime and what do you want to help create for future generations?

8) In Sounds of Freedom Utah Phillips describes his choice to stop paying taxes to the U.S. government; “I don’t want to pay for smart bombs dropped by dumb people.” What do you think are the most practical, viable and beneficial strategies for ending U.S. corporate militarism?

9) Rickie Lee Jones raises this question, “What can nonviolent protest accomplish?” In your view, how successful has nonviolence been in addressing suffering and how do you think nonviolent strategies can be used now to address current wars, poverty and environmental issues?

10) In Sounds of Freedom, I asked some of the artists about compassion and anarchism. Laurie Anderson tells a story about anarchy in her childhood and Darryl Cherney describes himself as more of a “tribalist” than an anarchist. My sense is that authentic spirituality and compassionate anarchy go quite well together, with both based in self-awareness, understanding the reality of constant change and the importance of caring for others. What do you think is the relationship between spiritual wisdom teachings and anarchist ideals?