'The Sound of Noise'

 Life here is filled with sounds: from inspirational divine music to intense racket and everything in between. The sounds come in waves, and much like being in the ocean, there is nothing one can do to avoid them. Thus... at the times I wake up in the middle of the night form the whistling guard that patrol the neighborhood streets with his whistle all night long, or when I abruptly awaken at 3:30 pm from my afternoon nap by the loud auto rickshaws honking and clunking, I start wondering about the nature of sound, and the difference between the sensual pleasure of harmonious sound - music & natural rhythms verses the erratic & disturbing sounds we call 'noise'. I think it is a fine line.  A beautiful music can be pleasing when we are in the mood for it, and when played at a decent quality speakers, but complete nuisance when it is too loud, repeatedly played, blasted out of poor quality speakers, or in the middle of the night...when I want to sleep! Those of you who have been to India, I'm sure can relate:)

I think I have high tolerance to sounds. I used to fall a sleep like a clock around 9pm most of my life, no matter what. I remember falling a sleep while walking with my mom to the children house after the 9pm news, as a child at the kibbutz. I also remember sleeping through a demo terrorist attack the Israeli Special Forces unexpectedly inflict my parents' house one weekend, when I was sleeping at their home. I finally woke up to the repeatedly loudspeaker orders that woke up the all neighborhood, confused why we are being tied up to chairs, while my mom is offering them coffee. I even remember falling a sleep at rock concerts a couple times as a teenager.  I'm a bit more sensitive to sounds now, but I tend to find the harmony in them. I think the intention behind producing a sound makes a difference too. As long as a sound is produced as a natural expression, joining the harmonious play of life, or in an attempt to tap into nature harmony, it is pleasant. A child learning musical instrument with passion and intent, seeking rhythm and melody is enjoyable, while careless banging around can torment the ear. Any expression of creative pursuit is generally pleasing and welcomed, while the sound of destruction, in-justice, carelessness, and ignorance is experienced as noise and is hurtful.
Anyways, I keep tuning in to the multiple lines of sound produced in my surrounding, mostly of the creative kind:) yet, wishing to expand the intervals of precious silence, missing the soothing calmness, the gentle sounds of nature at my home in AZ.