Spirituality and the Drum
“The world where there is nothing but the spirit of all things, this is the real world that is behind this one, and every thing that we see here is somehow a shadow from that world”
John G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks
Spirituality starts with a quickening, a sense of appreciation from within our consciousness. We all look out as observers from inside ourselves, filtering out - according to our past conditioning – experiences that we want to absorb. What you see is not necessarily what I see.
The beat of the drum has a quickening effect, which is so basic in its relationship to the human organism that it unifies and brings together the consciousness of all who are in hearing range to listen. No matter what you are doing or thinking when the drum begins to pound, you and I hear the same sound and it affects us in the same way, beckoning us to listen and pay attention.
Drumming connects you with your bones, your heartbeat, and your natural rhythms. The beat brings you down-to-earth, out of your head, into your feelings and your connection to Mother Earth. The rhythmical beat pushes through the emotions, the most etheric part of our nature. Spirit recognizes the transporting qualities of the regular beat as it draws the spiritual awareness out of the mundane into safe ceremonies and rituals that have proved protective for the soul over eons. These ceremonies are sacred to the spirit of the people, with the drum, they draw the people together as one. Drumming can be used in the following situations:
· The centering of the Sacred Directions that pulls in all spiritual qualities manifesting around and within our lives.
· The cleansing of the aura and our home space of negative spiritual energy.
· The projection of prayers for thanks or need with the drumbeat.
· To focus your meditation.
· To anchor your body through Trance states.
· To dissolve negative emotions.
· To dislodge stuck spiritual energy in healing situations.
· To create a cohesive spiritual quality within a group which draws all the participants together, in preparation for direction and spiritual ceremony.
When you feel into the spirituality of the drum, you must start by looking deep within you – it is from here that Spirit comes. It is behind your eyes, observing how you are living this life. Your spirit is always there, always coming through – a silent voice that gently whispers your true name. Your Spirit knows your potential and seeks to be fed with light and truth. It feeds on prayer and meditation. Drumming, music, singing and chanting are your Spirit’s desserts, pure sweetness for the soul. It is your longing to gain a deeper connection that sets the intention into focus. You draw out from within yourself your ‘natural authentic nature’ that which you really are. You beat this feeling into your drum, pulling the feeling out with your sincerity.
“May the spirit of your drum touch your heart!”
“Drumming connects us with our bones, and our natural rhythms. We connect with the drum by holding it close to our heart and letting our feelings transfer into the drum. When we breathe, we all beat upon a common drum. The drum acts as a mediator between the drummer and the spirits, between space and time.”
