| Indigenous cultures have been practicing community | | | | round of drumming. All participants should focus their |
| percussion for thousands of years. Now people all | | | | attention on the group intention or goal during this |
| over the world are taking up drumming in astounding | | | | round of drumming. It is the responsibility of the |
| numbers. At a grass roots level, small community | | | | facilitator to set the tempo. A steady, |
| drum circles are springing up. While some drum circles | | | | metronome-like pattern with precisely regular |
| are content to jam and make a lot of rhythmic noise, | | | | intervals, at around three beats per second, is the |
| others prefer to explore shamanic drumming. | | | | most effective. This rapid 'eagle-beat' creates the |
| Shamanic drumming is a time-honored method of | | | | sensation of inner movement, which, if you allow it, |
| healing and helping others. Shamanic drum circles | | | | will carry you along. It is projective in nature and |
| provide the opportunity for people of like mind to | | | | carries your intention, prayers, and awareness into |
| unite for the attainment of a shared objective. There | | | | the spirit world that underlies and sustains our |
| is power in drumming alone, but that power | | | | physical reality. |
| recombines and multiplies on many simultaneous levels | | | | 6: Finding Unison |
| in a group of drummers. The drums draw individual | | | | The time-frame for this varies from ceremony to |
| energies together, unifying them into a consolidated | | | | ceremony. It is best to trust your intuition in this |
| force. Synchronized drumming is the most effective, | | | | process. When leading a group, I move the beater |
| so individuals should alternate the responsibility of | | | | around the drumhead until I find the sweet spot and |
| setting the tempo and leading the group. The basic | | | | my drum begins to sing and hum. Eventually, I can |
| steps that I describe here I have found most | | | | hear the sound of my drum moving around the circle, |
| effective. | | | | resonating through each person's drum. The drums |
| 1: Form a Circle | | | | begin to sing in unison and the experience is |
| Simply join together, forming a circle. By creating a | | | | indescribable. I sense that each person is connected |
| circle, you are structuring an energy pattern that will | | | | to the spirit world. I try to hold this energy dynamic |
| contain, focus, and amplify the power generated by | | | | for as long as possible. This climactic phase eventually |
| drumming. | | | | wanes and the drums start doing their own thing |
| 2: Cleanse the Space | | | | again. This is usually the point where I signal the end |
| Next, you should smudge the space and all | | | | of the first round of drumming with four thundering |
| participants. Smudging cleanses the mind and | | | | beats. |
| environment in preparation for spiritual or inner work. | | | | 7: Healing Round |
| The sacred smoke dispels any stagnant or unwanted | | | | Once the group intention has been introduced, |
| energy and opens the energy channels of your body. | | | | commence the second or healing round by drumming |
| Sage, cedar, and sweetgrass are traditionally used for | | | | the pulsating lub-dub, lub-dub of a heartbeat rhythm. |
| smudging, but any dried herb is acceptable. Light the | | | | Stroke a steady heartbeat rhythm at around two |
| herbs in a fire-resistant receptacle and then blow out | | | | beats per second. This magnetic pulse draws power |
| the flames. Then use a feather or your hands to | | | | from the spirit world into the drum circle. Each |
| draw the smoke over your heart, throat, and face to | | | | participant should clear his or her mind of everything. |
| purify the body, mind, and spirit. Next, smudge your | | | | You must surrender all attachment to the desired |
| drum by passing it through the smoke. The | | | | outcome to achieve success. It is best to close your |
| drummers can then smudge themselves and their | | | | eyes and focus on the sound of the drums. Let the |
| drums by passing a smudge bowl clockwise around | | | | drums do the healing. The drums will shape available |
| the circle. Conclude the smudging by thanking the | | | | energy into a powerful vortex that will spiral out into |
| plant whose body made the cleansing possible. | | | | the fibers of Mother Earth's web. When you feel the |
| 3: Call to the Directions | | | | power ebbing, signal the end of the healing round |
| At this point, you may wish to invoke the powers of | | | | with four booming beats. |
| the Four Directions. This is an ancient shamanic rite | | | | 8: Giving Thanks |
| practiced cross-culturally to access and honor the | | | | Commence the final or thank you round of drumming |
| powers of creation. The facilitator can lead the group | | | | with the even cadence of the eagle-beat. Sustain a |
| in this process. I like to have the participants stand | | | | tempo of three beats per second for one to five |
| and face each Direction in unison. Rotate clockwise, | | | | minutes. Participants should give thanks for the needs |
| facing first the East, then South, then West, then | | | | met and the needs they are asking to be met. |
| North, inviting each Direction to participate and assist | | | | 9: Closing the Circle |
| in the ceremony. If you wish, you can include Father | | | | Finally, signal the end of the drumming with four |
| Sky above and Mother Earth below as the Fifth and | | | | resounding beats. It is important to conclude the |
| Sixth Directions. | | | | drumming circle by rotating counterclockwise, |
| 4: Form Your Intent | | | | thanking each of the Directions for their participation |
| Having invoked the Four Directions, it is important to | | | | and assistance. This counterclockwise movement will |
| form the group's collective intention-what you desire | | | | close the energy vortex and signal that the sacred |
| or expect to accomplish. Intent is a kind of decision | | | | time of focus is ended. |
| making that directs the focus of our attention. It is | | | | I have found these basic steps to be very effective |
| through our attention that we influence and direct | | | | in a myriad of situations. Feel free, however, to |
| the aspects of our experience and the world around | | | | adapt them to serve your own needs. Rhythm is a |
| us. | | | | very personal thing. Experiment with different |
| 5: Prayer Round | | | | tempos and rhythms. My intention is to provide a |
| The next step is to commence the first or prayer | | | | foundation upon which the reader can then build. |