Post by Allan on Aug 14, 2007 16:39:14 GMT -5
The Healing Drum
by Kristin Madden
Traditionally, the drum was a main method for healers to treat psychological and physical ailments. Rhythm, not always limited to drummin, has been used in healing throughout the world for centuries. Our bodies and spirits synchronize with the rhythm and begin to resonate in a more harmonious way. This promotes healing that otherwise might not occur.
Sound as Therapy
In modern times, researcher have conducted many studies on the therapeutic use of sound, including drumming. The ideal rhythm varies according to the researcher. Psychobiological studies have found that those in meditative and shamanic trance produce greater amounts of alpha and theta frequencies then do people in normal states of consciousness. Rhythms in these ranges are preferable for inducing trance and thus promoting healing.
When we are in normal consciousness, our brain waves fall into the beta range, which occurs from fouteen to twenty-one cycles per second. The next level down is that of light trance, or the alpha state. Brain waves generally fall in the seven to four-teen cycles per second range. Below this resides the deeper and deepest trance state of theta (four to seven cycles per second). The deepest levels--normally only attained during dreaming or in comas--exist at delta, below four cycles-per-second. These deepest levels should only be used by qualified professionals.
Some healers correlate the three main sounds that may be made on many drums w/ the beta, alpah, and theta levels of brain activity. The deep, bass sound often found in the center of the drum is associated withe the theta level. Alpha is produced by the middle sound, about halfway back to the rim. Beta corresponds to the highest sound--for instance, the slap sound on a djembe. Not only does each person have their own healthy rhythm but they also need to find their own harmony w/ these three sounds to align all the levels of mind and body. Of course, not all drums have these three sounds and not all people resonate with this model.
The Best Healing Rhythms
The best rhythm for your own healing really depends on several factors--including the nature of the complaint, the area of the body affected, your stage of psychic development, and your current life situation. The rhythms employed for any healing ritual may vary according to the ivdividual, the complaint, the spirits that choose to come to heal, and several other factors. It is not something that can be always predicted. Different rhythms create or invoke different energies. Just as the same antibiotic cannot be used to clear up every bacterial infection, so too are rhythms often specific to the various conditions.
In the hands of a skilled healer, the rhythms come through naturally without interference from analytical thought. but a natual rhythm exists in and healthy energy field. Think of it this way: Most people have been aware at some time that someone they knew was upset or ill. We may say that we didnt like the "vibes" somewhere, or it just didnt "feel" right. This is an innate recognition of these natural vibrations or rhythms.
Many healers have found that each organ and each chakra is associated with a specific rhythm. When the individual is healthy, the enery flows easily throughout the body and these rhythms interact harmoniously. When using the drum, or other sound, for healing, we restore the healthy natural rhythm to the individual system. We invigorate the energy field and return the natural rhythm to the natual harmonious flow throughout all the energy bodies.
Shamanic drummin is known as an auditory driver. This means that drumming is an auditory stimulus that trains one's brain wave frequesncies. Simply by hearing the rhythm of the drum, you are moved into an altered state of consciousess, and your entire energy field synchronizes with the rhythm of the drum.
Listening to the Drum
When working with drum healing, we allow the rhythm or rhythms that are right for the person in need to come through. We listen for any change in the sound of the drum that might indicate a change in the individual's energy field. However, it is vital that we stay open to intuition and spirit guides. It is quite possible to get so caught up in listening for a tonal change that you might miss something much more subtle. Sometimes the change we hear is not truly an auditory thing. It may be something we hear of feel on another level that lets us know we need to change the rhythm or stop altogether.
This intuitive listening to both the drum and your spirit guides is also important in developing your own understandin of what your are hearing and experiencing. A subtile, harmoniouschange may merely indicate that you are within the sphere of a new organ or chakra. But until you gain experience and allow your guides to work through you, it is possible to miss a subtle change that indicates a block or injury.
It is important for both healer and person in need of healing to be aware of what areas of the body and mind are affected during this process. Any unusual sensations, thoughts, and feelings should be noted. Each body and mind will be affected in a unique way by a given tone or rhythm. The healer must be cautioned not to assume that what worked for one person will work for another.
Larger drums, such as the ashiko and djembe, may also be used to effect healing. In fact, the djembe is often refered to as the "healing drum."
This is usually done in two ways. The individual in need may receive healing through playing the drum alone or in a drum circle, or through non-drumming participation in a drum circle. Experiment a bit, and see what works. Any efforts you make will not be time waisted.
One Final Note
There is one additional note I will make here, regarding the drum overtone. Thies is sometimes also called the drone, or the undertone, and it exists on a vary extraperceptual level.
Many types of music produce a seemingly separate sound that appears to be generated on its own through the music. Often in drum circles, a musical (as opposed to precussive) sound will be heard above the drumming. Even with a single drum, an overtone can be created. These tones are useful bothe as healing sounds and as guiding sounds for the shamanic journey. They should be expiermented with and their effects noted just as you would w/ any rhythm.
by Kristin Madden
Traditionally, the drum was a main method for healers to treat psychological and physical ailments. Rhythm, not always limited to drummin, has been used in healing throughout the world for centuries. Our bodies and spirits synchronize with the rhythm and begin to resonate in a more harmonious way. This promotes healing that otherwise might not occur.
Sound as Therapy
In modern times, researcher have conducted many studies on the therapeutic use of sound, including drumming. The ideal rhythm varies according to the researcher. Psychobiological studies have found that those in meditative and shamanic trance produce greater amounts of alpha and theta frequencies then do people in normal states of consciousness. Rhythms in these ranges are preferable for inducing trance and thus promoting healing.
When we are in normal consciousness, our brain waves fall into the beta range, which occurs from fouteen to twenty-one cycles per second. The next level down is that of light trance, or the alpha state. Brain waves generally fall in the seven to four-teen cycles per second range. Below this resides the deeper and deepest trance state of theta (four to seven cycles per second). The deepest levels--normally only attained during dreaming or in comas--exist at delta, below four cycles-per-second. These deepest levels should only be used by qualified professionals.
Some healers correlate the three main sounds that may be made on many drums w/ the beta, alpah, and theta levels of brain activity. The deep, bass sound often found in the center of the drum is associated withe the theta level. Alpha is produced by the middle sound, about halfway back to the rim. Beta corresponds to the highest sound--for instance, the slap sound on a djembe. Not only does each person have their own healthy rhythm but they also need to find their own harmony w/ these three sounds to align all the levels of mind and body. Of course, not all drums have these three sounds and not all people resonate with this model.
The Best Healing Rhythms
The best rhythm for your own healing really depends on several factors--including the nature of the complaint, the area of the body affected, your stage of psychic development, and your current life situation. The rhythms employed for any healing ritual may vary according to the ivdividual, the complaint, the spirits that choose to come to heal, and several other factors. It is not something that can be always predicted. Different rhythms create or invoke different energies. Just as the same antibiotic cannot be used to clear up every bacterial infection, so too are rhythms often specific to the various conditions.
In the hands of a skilled healer, the rhythms come through naturally without interference from analytical thought. but a natual rhythm exists in and healthy energy field. Think of it this way: Most people have been aware at some time that someone they knew was upset or ill. We may say that we didnt like the "vibes" somewhere, or it just didnt "feel" right. This is an innate recognition of these natural vibrations or rhythms.
Many healers have found that each organ and each chakra is associated with a specific rhythm. When the individual is healthy, the enery flows easily throughout the body and these rhythms interact harmoniously. When using the drum, or other sound, for healing, we restore the healthy natural rhythm to the individual system. We invigorate the energy field and return the natural rhythm to the natual harmonious flow throughout all the energy bodies.
Shamanic drummin is known as an auditory driver. This means that drumming is an auditory stimulus that trains one's brain wave frequesncies. Simply by hearing the rhythm of the drum, you are moved into an altered state of consciousess, and your entire energy field synchronizes with the rhythm of the drum.
Listening to the Drum
When working with drum healing, we allow the rhythm or rhythms that are right for the person in need to come through. We listen for any change in the sound of the drum that might indicate a change in the individual's energy field. However, it is vital that we stay open to intuition and spirit guides. It is quite possible to get so caught up in listening for a tonal change that you might miss something much more subtle. Sometimes the change we hear is not truly an auditory thing. It may be something we hear of feel on another level that lets us know we need to change the rhythm or stop altogether.
This intuitive listening to both the drum and your spirit guides is also important in developing your own understandin of what your are hearing and experiencing. A subtile, harmoniouschange may merely indicate that you are within the sphere of a new organ or chakra. But until you gain experience and allow your guides to work through you, it is possible to miss a subtle change that indicates a block or injury.
It is important for both healer and person in need of healing to be aware of what areas of the body and mind are affected during this process. Any unusual sensations, thoughts, and feelings should be noted. Each body and mind will be affected in a unique way by a given tone or rhythm. The healer must be cautioned not to assume that what worked for one person will work for another.
Larger drums, such as the ashiko and djembe, may also be used to effect healing. In fact, the djembe is often refered to as the "healing drum."
This is usually done in two ways. The individual in need may receive healing through playing the drum alone or in a drum circle, or through non-drumming participation in a drum circle. Experiment a bit, and see what works. Any efforts you make will not be time waisted.
One Final Note
There is one additional note I will make here, regarding the drum overtone. Thies is sometimes also called the drone, or the undertone, and it exists on a vary extraperceptual level.
Many types of music produce a seemingly separate sound that appears to be generated on its own through the music. Often in drum circles, a musical (as opposed to precussive) sound will be heard above the drumming. Even with a single drum, an overtone can be created. These tones are useful bothe as healing sounds and as guiding sounds for the shamanic journey. They should be expiermented with and their effects noted just as you would w/ any rhythm.