Shamanic Journeying Drum
When a Shamanic Journey Drum is struck upon one side, it produces the sound of the beat, and a primary tone, or resonance. Since the hides covering the two sides of the drum are never able to be strung to precisely the same tautness, one side will always have a slightly higher pitch than the other side. The primary tone on the higher-pitched side will, consequently, have a “ring” to it. When the lower-pitched side is struck, a lower “drone” is produced in addition to the beat. Because of the close proximity of the hides to each other, being only 3 to 4 inches apart, when one side of the drum is struck, the sound wave of that strike impacts the other side’s hide, causing it to resonate as well. We now have three tones being produced simultaneously from one strike: the beat, the primary tone (either a “ring” or a “drone,” depending on which side is struck) and the secondary resonance of the opposing hide’s vibration.
The human mind fixates on the monotonous and repetitive. The constant striking of the drum produces a repetitive and monotonous beat pattern. When the mind fixates, all “chitter-chatter” and emotional overwhelm ceases. A profound state of Silence ensues.
The high-pitched overtone stimulates the brain into the alpha brain wave state. This alpha state is experienced as a dreamy, daydream-like state of being. Physiologically, our response to the alpha state is a deep physical relaxation that comes over us. A daydream’s content is driven by the emotionally laden internal dialogue going on within us. Because the mind is fixated, there is nothing to drive any content. In this way, Shamanic Drumming produces a daydream state of alpha without emotional content.
The undertone “drone” produced in Shamanic Drumming stimulates the brain into the theta brain wave state. Though this is characterized as the deep dreaming state, the most relevant response is that the drone opens our spiritual heart, allowing our indwelling presence of being, our Spirit, to rise forth unimpeded.
When these three states of consciousness — silence, alpha, and theta — occur simultaneously, as in Shamanic Drumming, a phenomenal experience proceeds. The Spirit, rising forth through the now-opened heart, is freed to express itself. The Spirit expresses itself through images, symbols, song/chant, tones, colors, sensations, and knowingness. Where does the Spirit express itself? In the now empty alpha daydream state. The mind, fixated and silent, cannot help but pay attention to that which is transpiring within the alpha state. We are now able to perceive directly the expressions, or desires, of our Spirit — that is, we are now able to once again communicate in the Sacred Language of Spirit!
A half-hour presentation and teaching on the 5-sided Shamanic Drum Journey.
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