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Drumming
It was once told
"Creators favorite instrument is the drum. It is why he gave us all a
heartbeat"
The
Drum has been a beautiful and sacred instrument since time unknown. It has
served as entertainment, shamanic tool, communication, and most
importantly as a way of connecting with the sacred within our lives. The
way the drum can make you close your eyes and sway to the beat, or when
you drum the heartbeat, and return to the connection with our Mother, the
Earth.
The only treatment they will need is to smudge them with sage
occasionally, and to remember to honor your drum by playing it!
The
Cedar tree is a powerful healing tree, and drums constructed from the
Cedar carry a superior resonance and healing energy. The Natives of the
Northwest smudged with Cedar, used Cedar tea for healing and carved their
totems and canoes from this sacred wood. Many songs were written about the
healing energies of Cedar, and when a tree was taken, all parts of it were
used for the healing and survival of the People.
Drum Awakening
The awakening of the drum is an important part of
becoming the caretaker of such a sacred instrument. When we make a drum,
buy a drum, or are given a drum it is always a good idea to take some time
and make prayers with the drum. I have been taught, and it seems to be
true, that drums have a life of their own. They bring the people together
and watch over them energetically.
They create a space for prayer in two
ways.
First they create an emotional togetherness. As we drum and
rattle together we begin to feel in a real way that we are all there
together. It is good to drum early in the ceremony until the drumming
becomes second nature. At first it seems to go a little too long. then
people begin to shrug it off and start getting into it. Then they start
feeling those feelings that are associated with early alpha
state.
Secondly the rhythm and the tones and overtones of the drums
induces changes in the brain which create the sense of peace and openness
that allows people to come
together and to speak from their heart.
So
it is that when we take on the responsibility of the drum we need to be in
relationship with it. That is why we state our intention and work with the
energy around the drum. We blend our prayers with the quality of the drum
so that when we drum our prayers echo out into the world.
Drum
awakenings depend on whether we do the awakening when the drum is being
made or after it is made and it is about to be given, or
received.
Messages From The Drum
Drumming From The Heart
Why
Is Drumming Healing?
We connect with the Creator when we drum as we
celebrate life through the spirit of rhythm, drumming and movement.
Drumming is a form of play which nurtures our soul because we touch the
child within so we see the world with new eyes. Drumming is a form of
meditation which synchronizes the left and the right brain hemispheres.
The two brain hemispheres usually issue different wave frequencies but
drumming utilizes both so those who practice drumming experience an
opening of consciousness. Synchronized brain wave activity can activate
feelings of euphoria, increased mental command and creativity which
produces a higher state of consciousness in the individual.
Physiologically, it has been clinically proven that sustained drumming has
benefits common to aerobic exercise by increasing the heart rate &
blood flow.
According to Tom Bickford, drummer, shaman and drum builder,
drumming directly links humans with the vibration of Earth by slowing down
the brain waves to around 8 cycles per second, the same frequency as the
planet. "This means that drumming heals the human energy field exactly
like the laying on of hands. It clears and energizes the chakras. "Drumming
is very primal in nature and we all have roots from tribes of the world,
whether it be Native American, Celtic, European or Asian. The beating of
the drum symbolizes the beating of the heart, and when we drum in a
circle, we are not only connected to each other in the immediate circle or
group, but we are connected through the web of life to all of humanity in
what the Native Americans call the Circle of Life.
Being in a drumming circle helps us to realize that we are all One
in Spirit, no matter where we are from, physically, or where we are
now. There is but one song, the Song of Life, and drumming together is the
human expression of our connection in the web of life.
When we drum, I believe that our Creator celebrates with us in our
joy and our communion with all of creation. The ritual of drumming helps
us develop an awareness of the ways we can peacefully and lovingly
interact with the whole world, as one mind, one soul, one love, and one
joy.
Loving Care for your Drum
How exciting, you got your
new drum! Now the big question …how do I take care of my drum?
Here
are a few guidelines for the care of your drum:
· Treat the drum as
a part of your body;
if you are cold your drum is cold.
· Never
leave your drum outside or in your car for a long time during very cold or
very hot weather and keep out of direct sunlight (the drum head may split
in extreme temperatures).
· Never play with finger jewelry on and
don't place objects on top of your drum
(it's not a coffee
table!)
· Your drumhead does not need to be treated with anything
(lotions will change your drums voice).
· If your drum has been
outside in the cold, allow the head to warm up before you play. You can
heat the head up with a blow-dryer, lamp (keep hand between the drum and
the bulb),
or by the heating vent.
· If drumming outside at night
the drum may collect moisture from the dew. The dew will actually loosen
the drum (you will notice this because the voice will change). The best
way to tighten the drum is to heat it by a fire.
· When heating
your drum by a fire, always place your hand between the drum and the fire.
If you hand is too hot then you know it’s too hot for your drum.
·
During the humid months it is helpful to place a
folded towel over the
head of the drum,
the towel will collect moisture and prevent
it
from penetrating down to the drumhead.
A blow-dryer can help dry it
out.
· The most important thing is to Play, Play, Play your
drum!
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