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Michael Drake gives a step-by-step introduction to Shamanic Drumming.
by Michael Drake , Copyright 2008
"Drum fever is sweeping the country as people discover the physical,
psychological and spiritual rewards ... even for those who can't read a
note of music," wrote Claudia Ricci recently in the New York Times. All
over America, people of all ages are taking up drumming in astounding
numbers. At a grass roots level, small drumming circles are gathering in
communities all across the country. Since there are no prerequisites to
drumming, anyone can join in and explore rhythms with hands and
drumsticks as an exhilarating way of communing. While some drumming
circles are content to jam and make a lot of rhythmic noise, others
prefer to explore intricate patterns of rhythm, and still others gather
for shamanic drumming.
Shamanic drumming is a time-honored method of healing and helping others.
Shamanic drumming circles provide the opportunity for people of like mind
to unite for the attainment of a shared objective. There is power in
drumming alone, but that power recombines and multiplies on many
simultaneous levels in a group of drummers. The drums draw individual
energies together, unifying them into a consolidated force. Synchronized
drumming is the most effective, so individuals should alternate the
responsibility of setting the tempo and leading the group. The basic
steps that I find most effective are as follows:
1. Simply join together, forming a circle. By creating a circle, you are
structuring an energy pattern that will contain, focus, and amplify the
power generated by drumming.
2. Next, you should smudge the space and all participants. This can
easily be accomplished by passing a smudge bowl clockwise around the
circle. The drummers can then smudge themselves and their drums. Smudging
cleanses the mind and environment in preparation for spiritual or inner
work. The sacred smoke dispels any stagnant or unwanted energy, opens the
energy channels of your body, and raises your personal power or
windhorse. According to Mongolian shamanism, windhorse can be increased
through smudging, drumming, and other forms of shamanic practice in order
to accomplish significant aims. Sage, cedar, thyme, and sweetgrass are
traditionally used for smudging, but any dried herb is acceptable. Light
the herbs in a fire-resistant receptacle and then blow out the flames.
Then use a feather or your hands to draw the smoke over your heart,
throat, and face to purify the body, mind, and spirit. Next, smudge your
drum by passing it through the smoke. Conclude the smudging by thanking
the plant whose body made the cleansing possible.
3. At this point, you may wish to invoke the powers of the four
directions. Invoking the four directions or elements is an ancient
shamanic rite practiced cross-culturally to access and honor the powers
of creation. The facilitator can lead the group in this process. I like
to have the participants stand and face each direction in unison. Rotate
clockwise, facing first the East, then South, then West, then North,
inviting each direction to participate and assist in the ceremony. If you
wish, you can include Father Sky above and Mother Earth below as the
fifth and sixth directions.
4. Having invoked the four directions, it is important to form the
group's collective intention or goal-what you desire or expect to
accomplish. Intent is a kind of decision making that directs the focus of
our attention. It is through our attention that we influence and direct
the aspects of our experience and the world around us.
5. The next step is to commence the first or "prayer" round of drumming.
All participants should focus their attention on the group intention or
goal during this round of drumming. It is the responsibility of the
facilitator to set the tempo. A steady, metronome-like pattern with
precisely regular intervals, at around 180 beats per minute (or three
beats per second), is the most effective. This rapid "eagle-beat" creates
the sensation of inner movement, which, if you allow it, will carry you
along. It is projective in nature and carries your intention, prayers,
and awareness into the spirit world that underlies and sustains our
physical reality. All forms and events in the material world have their
source in the spirit world.
6. The timeframe, however, varies from ceremony to ceremony. It is best
to trust your intuition in this process. When leading a group, I move the
beater around the drumhead until I find the sweet spot and my drum begins
to sing and hum. Eventually, I can hear the sound of my drum moving
around the circle, resonating through each person's drum. The drums begin
to sing in unison and the experience is indescribable. I sense that each
person is connected to the spirit world. I try to hold this energy
dynamic for as long as possible. This climactic phase eventually wanes,
and the drums start doing their own thing again. This is usually the
point where I signal the end of the first round of drumming with four
thundering beats of the drum.
7. Once the group intention has been introduced, commence the second or
"healing" round by drumming the pulsating lub-dub, lub-dub of a heartbeat
rhythm. Stroke a steady heartbeat rhythm at around 180 beats per minute
(or 90 heartbeats per minute since one-heartbeat equals two beats). This
magnetic pulse draws power from the spirit world into the drum circle.
Each participant should clear his or her mind of everything. You must
surrender all attachment to the desired outcome to achieve success. It is
best to close your eyes and focus on the sound of the drums. Let the
drums do the healing. The drums will shape available energy into a
powerful vortex that will spiral out into the fibers of Mother Earth's
web.
8. When you feel the power ebbing, signal the end of the second round of
drumming with four booming beats.
9. Commence the final or "thank you" round of drumming with the even
cadence of the eagle-beat. Sustain a tempo of 180 beats per minute for
one to five minutes. Participants should give thanks for the needs met
and the needs they are asking to be met.
10. Finally, signal the end of the drumming with four resounding beats.
It is important to conclude the drumming circle by rotating
counterclockwise, thanking each of the directions for their participation
and assistance. This counterclockwise movement will close the energy
vortex and signal that the sacred time of focus is ended.
Exercise Summary
The basic steps in the preceding exercise are:
1. Join together, forming a circle.
2. Create sacred space by smudging.
3. Invoke the four directions.
4. Formulate the group intention.
5. Drum the eagle-beat and focus on the group intention.
6. End the prayer round with four thundering beats.
7. Drum the heartbeat and focus on the sound of the drums.
8. When the power ebbs, signal end of healing round with four booming
beats.
9. Drum the eagle-beat, offering thanks.
10. End the drumming with four resounding beats.
I have found these basic steps be very effective in a myriad of
situations. Feel free, however, to adapt them to serve your own needs.
Rhythm is a very personal thing. Experiment with different tempos and
rhythms. My intention is to provide a foundation upon which the reader
can then build.
Drumming circles open portals to alternate realities. They facilitate a
merging of the physical and spiritual realms. They expedite communication
with helping spirits and draw them in. The drumming circle also links the
consciousness of each participant to the entire web of life. It develops
a continuous, shared consciousness with all our relations. Even small
groups of people of one mind, one purpose, and fully attuned through the
drums can transform the world and manifest what is needed to benefit all
beings.
A recent medical research study indicates that drumming circles boost the
immune system. Led by renowned cancer expert Barry Bittman, MD, the study
demonstrates that group drumming actually increases cancer-killing cells,
which help the body combat cancer as well as other viruses, including
AIDS. According to Dr. Bittman, "Group drumming tunes our biology,
orchestrates our immunity, and enables healing to begin." Other studies
have demonstrated the calming, focusing, and healing effects of group
drumming on Alzheimer's patients, autistic children, emotionally
disturbed teens, substance abusers, trauma patients, and prison and
homeless populations. The primitive drumming circle is emerging as a
significant therapeutic tool in the modern technological age.
Michael Drake is a writer, rhythmist, and ceremonial drummer of Cherokee
descent. He is a member of the United Lumbee Nation and author of The
Shamanic Drum: A Guide to Sacred Drumming and I Ching: The Tao of
Drumming. He has studied with master drummers from the Native American
and Mongolian shamanic traditions. Michael lectures and gives workshops
around the country. Through his work, he has guided thousands in the
healing art of ceremonial drumming. To learn more, please log onto
Michael's web site at: www.geocities.com/talkingdrumpub.
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