Relaxed fire

When you practice, your body has to be relaxed but the mind - on fire. This is the old martial arts saying which I've heard from Karate master Jon Beltram from Kansas City long time ago.

I think these words work nicely in organ practice as well.

The mind is like a piece of steel - immovable and unshaken to whatever comes up during our practice or performance. The body - on the contrary - is so smooth, so subtle that every movement of our fingers and feet are quick, economic, barely noticeable.

And like any activity, organ practice can be a meditation. But only if you completely focus your mind on the current measure you're playing, breath deeply and slowly.

Inhale the positive, exhale the negative.

PS ​Meditation is yet another word for prayer, of course.