When I learned that Tina Turner died back in May 2023 there were some things that caught my attention beyond my knowing her as a great singer with her numerous hits.
I started to listen to some of the narratives the different news media provided about who Tina Turner was. The things that caught my attention was this beautiful relationship she had with her partner, Erwin Bach for the past 37 years, her absolutely vivacious energy when she performed on stage, those amazing legs, the beautiful broad smile she always wore and her spirituality.
I have to say the more I dug the more obsessed I got with listening to Tina and her beautiful, joyful spirit. I was captured. I watched for a ridiculous amount of time, her performances, her interviews, and Tina Turner chanting, Nam Myo Renge Kyo as part of her Buddhist practice.
I tried to ask myself what was this obsession and I’m not sure that I can explain it completely. But, I think one of the things that grabbed me was how, at a fairly late stage in her career, in her 40s, she completely transformed her life, took ownership of her happiness and destiny and lived her life joyfully.
I was mesmerized listening to her raspy voice, her hearty laughter, her broad, wide smile and just the sheer joy she exuded and her complete contentment with her life, the present moment and all that she had in life to be thankful for. I was intrigued how full of life, vitality, energy and extraordinary physical stamina she displayed in her 40s, 50s and 60s, running, dancing and tirelessly giving it her all dancing and singing during stage performances! WOW!!!
I discovered that when Tina retired she began this absolutely beautiful, enchanting project called Beyond with Regalu Curti and Dechen Shak-Dagsay. It is mesmerizing. I felt how truly content and happy and accepting she was of her life, where she was in life and even as she encountered serious, challenging health issues which eventually led to her death. She was accepting and embracing of death as a part of life and teachings of Buddhist practice of life and death.
I have been listening to the Beyond music series, I believe there are three including one with children and Tina on a two-hour You Tube video chanting Name Myoho Renge Kyo. I always try to look for meaning in things… where maybe there is no meaning… and I think somehow in an unexplained way I felt Tina reaching out to me … with a message… and for me it was a reminder about living my life with joy… joyfully… joy abounding and to introduce me to this beautiful, mystical spiritual practice.