Focus Wheel Mixtape

Music is understood to be the universal language. People from all cultures and all walks of life, are able to be moved and harmonized and unified together through the power of music.

I went on a road-trip with some rock-climbing friends, and last minute we realized we needed music for the trip. I rifled through their collection in an couple hours late into the night before the trip, and burned an mp3 CD of about 100 songs.

It practically made the trip. The praise and appreciation I was showered with felt fantastic. (Thanks Greg + Jackie ) – Not only that, I recently kind of off-the-cuff picked some tracks for my aunt Marlene and she ate every one of them up, even latching on to a few new favourites.

It felt great! I helped people with my ability to sift and sort through all the media I can get my hands on, and to share the perfect tracks. (On the flipside, my brother Drew got me up on the new Shad album, my brother Nick hit me with a Richard X remix of Goldfrapp’s ‘Rocket’ and my friend Piera recently facebooked me a link to Eminem’s new single, ‘Be Not Afraid‘ (He’s not spiritual at all you say? perhaps listen and think again.) – all wonderful, wonderful songs.)

Now, I know that any skill or ability I have to deliver song-goodness is not strictly mine, I follow my instincts and inspiration like I do with any art-form, and good things happen. That being said, I do have a wealth of resources to draw from.

My personal musical tastes are vast, (vast, vast,) and over the years I’ve collected a massive library of over 70,000 songs.

My love for all forms of art, media, and expression are not hidden, and I love music in particular… a lot. I’ve also always loved ‘DJing.’ It started when I was young, where I’d share my music, bringing hard drives full of it to parties, and I’d focus on the tastes and emotions of the people in the room as well as what would best fit the goal. I’d revel in the beauty of selecting songs from all over time and space, bringing them together in order to help someone feel something awesome.

While my friends were making angsty mix-tapes (which were *so good* – don’t get me wrong), I was compiling mp3 playlists with attention to detail as if they were to be long-lasting works of art, and maybe sometimes they were. Eventually I acquired DJing equipment, and got into mixing with ‘proper’ tools, but I thought I’d go back to my roots and share with you a SpiritSentient ‘Mixtape’ – an eclectic selection of songs from all over the place, that I feel help people.

Normally, I’d be all-over the board, alternative, rap, country, electro, jungle, orchestral, and more (and that may still happen,) but the driving force and mood for this SpiritSentient Free Resource, is whatever conveys a message/feeling/thought that fits.

See, I love providing people with awesome experiences. So I often give thought/focus to what they ‘want’, and I combine that with the guidance of my feelings/skills, and you know, it’s generally loved. It works. I’ve been choosing music for people for so many years, and with so many songs to choose from, I’ve trained myself to rely heavily on my intuition and trust that people will feel it.

Another thing I’ve found is that people often have very, very, VERY narrow comfort zones when listening to music. Usually through some childhood experience or another, they’ve come to define themselves as "I really only like rock" or "If it’s not ‘positive’ I don’t listen to it" (whatever that means) or "Pop is empty, its like the junkfood of music and the people who create it are talentless."

I’d really love for you guys to open your mind to these beautiful, powerful, moving pieces created by passionate musicians, even if it’s not your particular style, even if there’s the odd cuss-word, or distorted guitar or country-twang that isn’t your cup o’ tea.

They’re chosen with love, offered freely (hopefully without offending or stepping on toes of the artists involved) and I really want you guys to feel better.

The idea behind this particular mix’s track-selection, is songs that mirror an Abraham-Hicks’ Focus Wheel.

Beginning with something almost painful, and transitioning more and more into a beautiful, elegant, conscious and loving listening experience. These are all shared simply to help others, to inspire, uplift and move, and they are totally used without having asked permission from the talented and amazing artists (though if it works out, I’d love to connect with any of the musicians, and if the song belongs to you and you’d like it removed and no longer shared, I totally understand).

Some people have trouble taking the step to really get into Focus Wheels, but most people do love choosing music for themselves. You can use this as an example or template, and begin creating your OWN Focus Wheel Mixes. Many people feel much better when bobbing with the beat or dancing troubles away. Focus Wheels don’t have to be strictly thought-based and intellectual (though we definitely encourage thought-management.) Try picking songs as if they were Focus Wheel Statements — SpiritSentient is big on seeing the beauty and elevation potential of pop culture.

Put a Focus Wheel Mix on when you’re feeling not-so-good and you desire to feel ultra-good. Celebrate the spirit of music. It f***ing rocks.

SpiritSentient’s Feel Better Focus Mix:

1. "99% of Us Is Failure" - Matthew Good (Hospital Music, 2007) ‘I Feel Trash’ Acknowledgement Statement (Out of the Vortex): Statement: "I’m so sick and tired of seeming to fail at everything I do." A wistful, heart-string tugging, haunting dirge, This is the ultimate "you’re-feeling-shitty, unworthy, and like a failure song." Vent with this and get ready to turn life around "Blackbird come the break of dawn / The TVs on, I turn it off / Walk outside, get in the car / Stare at the wheel and fall apart." Centered Statement of Desire: "I love and thrive on the feeling of success, and life supports this desire powerfully, and gently guiding and encouraging me to realize my own power." | Download

2. "Parabol" - Tool (Lateralus, 2001) Focus Statement: "Even though life feels real, deep-down I know we are all temporary." This songs hops you on the wheel. It’s soft, melodic, and beautiful, and overtop the well-spaced guitar and bass chords, maynard croons about being "wide-eyed and hopeful" as he realizes "we are eternal / all this pain is an illusion." — Even if you’re feeling rough, these are amazing sentiments to remember and acknowledge. | Download

3. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen (A Night At The Opera, 1975) Focus Statement: "Since nothing really matters, I have the ultimate freedom to choose what I desire." This song is such a monumental, changing-the-face-of-music piece, it has an in-depth multi-page Wikipedia entry dedicated to it. It is dissected, analyzed, and lauded by musicians of all kinds. It’s a very stream-of-consciousness type song which follows the narrator on a journey for absolution and meaning, laced with emotional bursts about living on the edge and understanding that death is part of life. Many of us feel as if we’re dying at times in life, emotionally or otherwise, and this song expresses that. Though the song embraces some hints of dark subject matter, the overall tone is opulent, lush, empassioned, inspiring and undoubtedly a channeled work that is a legacy by itself. | Download

4. "Ordinary Day" - Aphex Twin (Richard D. James, 1996) Focus Statement: "I can choose at any time to release worry of the past or future, & enjoy today." This song takes you from a place of normal, hum-drum feeling to a crescendo of hope and aliveness. Vanessa’s gorgeous vocals tell a story and at the same time implore us to "Live while you can / Don’t you see your dreams are right in the palm of your hand" | Download

5. "One Love, People Get Ready" - Bob Marley (The Wailing Wailers, 1965) Focus Statement: "We are all one." A classic, head-bobbing, spiritual way to move your body. Inspired by Curtis Mayfield’s ‘People Get Ready’ Bob Marley shows how to move people in a very passionate, spiritual way. Either that or he had too much weed and this was the result — though some would claim it’s the same thing. | Download

6. "Girl/Boy Song" - Aphex Twin (Richard D. James, 1996) Focus Statement: "I love myself and others." Pure, electronic brilliance. A light-hearted walk down futuristic-pop lane. Let the sounds wash over you and lift your spirits. | Download

7. "Happy [Tom Hopkins 2008 Mix]" - Squareheads (???, 2008) Focus Statement: "I can feel anything at anytime, and I really love feeling happy." Oh man. This track is so, so, so under-the-radar. A one-hit wonder from the dance/ibiza circles, this track never fails to fill me with… well… happiness. Tell me that someone singing powerfully every time the chorus hits that he’s "I am feeling so happy / I´m gonna go happy / You make me so happy / Can´t you see I´m happy now?" doesn’t alter your brain-chemistry. It does. It soooo does. | Download

8. "When I’m Up [I Can't Get Down]" - Great Big Sea (Play, 1997) Focus Statement: "As I feel better, I ride the feeling and milk it for as much as I can." Great Big Sea is a fun, uplifting, high-energy band that consistently delivers get-your-body-rockin’ folk music. When I’m Up is fantastic at this, absolutely fantastic. Listen and love. | Download

9. "Be" - Common (Be, 2005) Focus Statement: "This moment is a gift; good things can happen, and I feel they will.." A jazz/hip-hop hybrid, the funky walking-bassline and the mantra of horns keeps the neck loose and the vibe high. "Never looking back or too far in front of me / The present is a gift, and I just wanna be." | Download

10. "Good Life" - Kanye West (Graduation, 2007) Focus Statement: "I appreciate all the wonderful variety this life has to offer and relax into my desires." Kanye has a groovin’, hip-hoppin’ track where he simply celebrates and affirms all the things he really loves. However he phrases it, the things he appreciates are near and dear to much of our global population: money, women, adoration, travel, connection, food and drink. "The good life: let’s go on a livin’ spree / Shit they say the best things in life are free." | Download

11. "All You Need Is Love" - The Beatles (Magical Mystery Tour, 1967) Focus Statement: "I’m loving and loved. I’m safe, secure, and worthy." The Beatles rocked this simple but universal message in 7/4 time, for the Our World tribute, and they featured with them an orchestra. The song incorporated influences from many nationalities and John Lennon, had this to say regarding the song: " I’m a revolutionary artist. My art is dedicated to change." | Download

12. "Spirit" - Chicane (Somersault, 2007) Focus Statement: "All my desires and intentions feel closer now." Nick Bracegirdle never fails to inspire high, happy, shiny feelings in his audience, and this track off his 2007 album holds true to that. Melodic dance-trance strings, layered with all sorts of goodness, and topped off with Jewel’s stunning vocals (interestingly, Jewel has an album entitled "spirit".) Chicane’s albums have been so heavily pirated that at one point he had to sell his car and remortgage his house, just to continue producing music. (Note: Please support any/all the artists here if you can find it within you. | Download

13. "White Sands [Edit]" - Sunlounger (Another Day on the Terrace, 2008) Focus Statement: "I breathe comfortably and relaxed-ly." Roger Shah is a master of Balearic chill-out music, and if this song doesn’t get you imagining yourself on a beautiful, serene, tranquil, all-is-right-with-the-world day at the beach, I’ll eat my hat | Download

14. "Amazing Grace" - Susan Boyle (I Dreamed A Dream, 2009) Focus Statement: "I rest in the grace of life, faithfully expecting all my desires to be realized." Susan Boyle took the world by storm on Britain’s Got Talent, and her vocal talent when put to this stunning piece can wash and purify one’s soul. Luxuriate in it.. | Download

15. "Young Forever" - Jay-Z (The Blueprint 3, 2009) Focus Statement: "My soul is eternal, it was here before I was born, and will remain after I die." Jay-Z, whom SpiritSentient hails as a Spiritual Hip-hop Mogul, teams up with Mr. Hudson (a powerful vocalist with elements of Sting,) to create an ode to youth, legacy, and life. Celebrate it "Fear not when, fear not why, Fear not much while we’re alive, Life is for living not living uptight, See ya some where up in the sky, Fear not die, I’ll be alive for a million years, bye bye, So not for legends, I’m forever young My name shall survive " | Download

16. "Passing By" - Ulrich Schnauss (Far Away Trains Passing By, 2001) Focus Statement: "I feel calm, secure, and loving with my own power; I love life." Appreciating the beauty of simple, physical existence, Passing By embraces the yin and yang. It contains a balance of serenity paired with upbeat-ness. Following along, relaxed, secure, and allowing your life to unfold. Everyone’s got a story, and yours is completely and utterly… awesome. | Download

17. "Not Afraid" - Eminem (Recovery, 2010) It’s not secret that I love pop music, celebrities, and the entertainers of our time. I see them as our generations Shakespeare’s, echoing and expressing the sentiments of our culture, while expressing deep universal principles (either consciously or unconsciously). I find this to be especially true of hip-hop, a genre which has been maligned and frowned upon. The thing is, the way Shakespeare embraced iambic pentameter, literary devices, and the power of the story, is the same way rap pays tribute to: complex rhyme schemes,bending words + evolving language and memes, double- (and quadruple-) entrendres, syncopation, metaphor and much, much more. Not only that, rap is the passionate tales of the rappers life’s story, often touching on things extremely personal and emotional for the artist, and not nearly speaking as much about money + hoes as much as the media makes it out to be. Of course there is variation in subject matter + message in all music, but the point is, there is often much to appreciate in this genre that people in spiritual circles tend to write off. Anyway, I’m called upon in life it seems sometimes, to take a very hard stand against what appears to be overwhelming odds, and this song is very, very, VERY inspiring to me personally. I really, really love it, and I hope you do too. "Over a dark, operatic beat, Eminem delivers rhymes that are typically acrobatic – and typically heavy-handed. But the anger has a gathering quality." – Rolling Stone, on Be Not Afraid | Download

Thanks so much for reading, we hope you enjoyed it. Please, please, if you appreciate our efforts, tweet it, facebook it, share it, or even leave your own mix in the comments. We’d love to check it out