The equipment itself is but a means to an end. Music has been part of our DNA for a very long time, perhaps from the beginning of rational thought. We hear music we dance and frolic moving with the waves and rhythms. Melodies elicit emotions in us. We become children again, we become lovers, we become fighters, all with music. Look at UFC fighters going to the ring. They puff out their chests and become emboldened. We go to battle or dance to the rythmic sounds of the drum. We float on air with music that speaks to us at a deep level. There is no rhyme or reason its just part of us, part of our common and individual spirit. I say that because i believe we are all ultimately part of one spirit. I think when most of us are drawn to this hobby, yes the gear tinkering to satisfy our inner creativity and builder, but ultimately we are chasing that music bliss.
I feel ‘spirit’ or spirituality doesn’t really depend on ‘leader’ or ‘follower’ persay. The divine exists in all of us, even those inclined to follow. A person may be a follower of one, and a leader of another. Being in touch with the divine part of ourselves and ‘connecting’ with the universal divinity or spiritual energy requires practice and conscious effort to become able to free ourselves. Jiddu Krishnamurti is profoundly insightful and Sadhguru takes those ideas and explains them compellingly.
There are definitely those that become addicted to gear. So for myself, its not about the gear so much, although i do take pride in my system, as does my son in his. The elusive goal is music reproduced to touch my soul and spirit