Practical Ways to Use Shamanism Every Day

Shamanism is often imagined as something distant and mysterious--drums echoing in the forest, vision quests in faraway mountains, or ancient rituals performed by elders of remote tribes. Yet the essence of shamanism is surprisingly practical and accessible. At its heart, shamanism is a way of being in relationship with the living world: the plants, animals, elements, ancestors, and spirits that weave through our daily lives. You don't need a special title, a plane ticket, or an elaborate ceremony to benefit from shamanic wisdom. By bringing its principles into your everyday routines, you can reconnect with nature, deepen your intuition, and bring a sense of sacredness to ordinary moments.

Below are some practical ways to weave shamanism into your daily life--no matter where you live or how busy your schedule may be.

1. Start the Day with Connection

Many shamanic traditions begin with a simple act of greeting the world. Before you reach for your phone or rush into your to-do list, take a few moments to acknowledge the directions--the east, south, west, and north--as well as the sky above, the earth below, and the center of your own heart. You might silently thank the sun for its warmth, the air for your breath, and the earth for supporting your body. This small ritual grounds you in gratitude and reminds you that you are part of a much larger web of life.

2. Create a Sacred Space at Home

A home altar is a tangible way to bring shamanic energy into your living space. This doesn't have to be elaborate. A small table or shelf with meaningful objects--a stone, feather, candle, or photo of an ancestor--can serve as a focal point for your practice. Light a candle in the morning, offer a flower, or simply pause there to set an intention for the day. Over time, this space becomes a living portal, holding the energy of your prayers and keeping you connected to the unseen world.

3. Work with the Elements

Shamanism teaches that everything--earth, air, fire, and water--has spirit. Each element carries lessons and medicine. You can invite these elements into your day in simple ways:

• Earth: Walk barefoot on grass, tend a garden, or touch a tree to feel grounded.
• Air: Take conscious breaths before a meeting or open a window to let fresh energy circulate.
• Fire: Light a candle to spark creativity or release old emotions by carefully burning a piece of paper with words you wish to let go.
• Water: Drink mindfully, bless your water, or take a cleansing bath infused with herbs or salt.

These small acts remind you of the living presence of nature and help balance your inner world.

4. Practice Shamanic Journeying

Journeying is a cornerstone of shamanic practice, allowing you to access guidance from spirit allies, ancestors, or your higher self. You don't need a drum circle to begin--just a quiet space and a rhythmic sound, such as a recorded drumbeat or rattle. Set an intention, close your eyes, and imagine traveling through a doorway into the non-ordinary world. Even five to ten minutes can yield surprising insights or comfort. Keep a journal nearby to record any images or messages that arise.

5. Honor the Spirits of Place

Every place you inhabit--your home, workplace, local park--has a spirit. Before entering a new space, pause to acknowledge it. Offer a silent greeting or a small token, such as a pinch of herbs, a few drops of water, or even a heartfelt thought of gratitude. If you're hiking or spending time in nature, you might leave an offering of birdseed, a song, or a whispered prayer. This practice builds mutual respect with the land and helps you feel rooted wherever you are.

6. Listen to Nature's Messages

In shamanic traditions, nature speaks through signs and symbols. A hawk circling overhead, a sudden change in weather, or a recurring animal in your dreams may all carry meaning. Instead of brushing these off as coincidence, pause and reflect: What is this teaching me? What qualities does this animal embody that I might need right now? Keeping a nature journal can help you notice patterns and deepen your dialogue with the more-than-human world.

7. Use Sound and Rhythm

Sound is a powerful shamanic tool for shifting energy and consciousness. Try humming, singing, or drumming to release tension or lift your mood. Even a simple rattle--made from seeds in a jar or pebbles in a container--can help clear stagnant energy in a room. Let your body guide the rhythm. This isn't about musical skill; it's about vibration, movement, and opening yourself to the healing power of sound.

8. Practice Everyday Ceremony

Ceremony doesn't have to be grand. Pouring your morning coffee with intention, lighting incense at dusk, or saying a blessing before meals can transform routine into ritual. Mark the cycles of the moon by setting intentions at the new moon or releasing old patterns at the full moon. Celebrate the equinoxes and solstices with a simple candlelight meditation. These small ceremonies align you with natural rhythms and infuse ordinary moments with meaning.

9. Seek Guidance from Ancestors

Shamanism honors those who came before us. You can connect with your ancestors through prayer, meditation, or simply speaking their names. Place a photo or heirloom on your altar and light a candle in their memory. Ask for their wisdom or protection when facing challenges. Whether you knew them personally or not, ancestral spirits often respond with subtle signs--dreams, synchronicities, or sudden insights.

Living Shamanically, One Day at a Time

The beauty of shamanism lies in its simplicity. It doesn't require perfection or special status. It asks only for presence, respect, and willingness to remember that the world is alive and responsive. By greeting the morning sun, listening to the wind, or offering gratitude to the earth beneath your feet, you begin to walk the shamanic path--not as something separate from daily life, but as the very heartbeat of it. 

Through these small, intentional practices, you awaken to the sacred that has always been here. Shamanism then becomes not an ancient relic, but a living, breathing way of being--woven into every breath, every step, every ordinary day.

The Ecology of Drumming for Transformation

Throughout human history, drumming has carried the heartbeat of transformation. From the earliest tribal gatherings to contemporary healing circles, the drum has been more than an instrument--it has been a bridge between the physical, emotional, spiritual, and ecological dimensions of life. To understand the ecology of drumming for transformation is to explore how rhythm connects us not only to ourselves and one another but also to the living Earth.

Drumming as a Natural Force

The drum is often referred to as the "heartbeat of Mother Earth." Its pulse mirrors the rhythms of nature: waves washing the shore, winds rustling through the trees, raindrops striking the soil, and the steady beat of our own hearts. This resonance with natural cycles is no accident. Long before words shaped our stories, rhythm bound us to the living world.

When we drum, we align with patterns far older than humanity. Scientific studies show that repetitive drumming can alter brainwave states, moving us into alpha and theta frequencies associated with relaxation, creativity, and visioning. But beyond neuroscience lies something ecological--the recognition that we are participants in a greater symphony of life.

The Drum as Ecological Teacher

In many cultures, the drum is understood as a sacred teacher. Its construction itself is ecological: wood from a tree, hide from an animal, sinew or rope to bind it together. Each drum carries the spirit of its materials and the ecosystems from which they came. To strike a drum is to honor the lives that contributed to its creation.

When approached with reverence, drumming can become a practice of ecological gratitude. Each beat acknowledges our interdependence with the natural world. In this way, the drum becomes more than an instrument--it becomes a reminder of our responsibility to the Earth.

Drumming as a Tool for Transformation

Transformation often requires a shift in consciousness, a breaking open of habitual patterns, and an invitation into new ways of seeing. Drumming supports this process on multiple levels:

• Physiological Transformation: The steady rhythm regulates breath and heart rate, calms the nervous system, and reduces stress. This creates the physiological conditions necessary for healing and renewal.
• Psychological Transformation: Drumming bypasses the analytical mind and awakens deeper emotional layers. Trauma, grief, or stagnation can be moved through rhythm, unlocking a sense of freedom and possibility.
• Spiritual Transformation: Across cultures, drumming has been used to enter altered states, journey into spirit realms, and commune with ancestors. It creates a portal into mystery, offering visions and guidance.
• Ecological Transformation: When drumming is practiced in connection with land, waters, and non-human beings, it fosters ecological consciousness. It re-establishes relationship with the Earth as a living system that responds to our rhythms.

Collective Transformation Through Drumming

While solitary drumming can be powerful, the ecology of drumming is amplified in community. Group drumming weaves individual rhythms into a collective heartbeat. This unity reminds us that transformation is not just personal but communal.

When people gather in a circle, each person becomes a voice in a larger dialogue. A single rhythm emerges, created not by one but by all. This mirrors ecosystems, where diverse species contribute to the balance of the whole. Group drumming demonstrates how transformation occurs when many work together, each contributing their unique rhythm without overpowering others.

Drumming and Ecological Healing

In our current age of ecological crisis, drumming offers a way to reconnect with the Earth. Some practitioners use drumming at sacred sites, near rivers, or in forests to honor and "sing back" to the land. The vibrations of the drum are carried through air and soil, reminding the Earth that humans still remember their role as caretakers.

There is also a reciprocity here. Just as drumming can be used to heal human communities, it can also be used as a form of offering to the more-than-human world. A drumbeat given in gratitude is a vibration that nourishes unseen realms. In this sense, drumming becomes an ecological ritual--one that acknowledges both the wounds of the planet and the possibility of regeneration.

The Ecology of Rhythm

At its essence, ecology is the study of relationships. Drumming reveals these relationships through rhythm. Each beat is connected to the one before it and the one after. Each player in a circle must listen to others to stay in sync. This interdependence mirrors ecological systems, where water, soil, plants, and animals exist in dynamic balance.

Rhythm teaches us resilience: there are moments of emphasis and moments of rest, times of intensity and times of quiet. Transformation happens when we learn to ride these rhythms rather than resist them. Drumming embodies this ecological wisdom, showing us how to flow with change rather than cling to static patterns.

Practicing the Ecology of Drumming

If you are drawn to explore drumming as a path of transformation, here are some practices to consider:

1. Drum Outdoors: Connect your rhythm with the rhythms of nature. Notice how birdsong, wind, or water respond to your playing.

2. Honor Your Drum: Acknowledge the materials that created it. Offer prayers or gratitude before playing.

3. Play in Circle: Experience the transformative power of collective rhythm. Allow yourself to listen as much as you play.

4. Drum as Offering: Use drumming as a gift to the Earth, ancestors, or spirits. Drum not only for yourself but for the wellbeing of the whole.

5. Follow the Rhythm of Change: Notice how drumming shifts your state. Let it guide you into transformation rather than forcing an outcome.

Becoming Rhythm Keepers

The ecology of drumming for transformation reminds us that rhythm is not just sound--it is relationship, reciprocity, and renewal. Through drumming, we remember that we are part of a living Earth, that transformation is both personal and communal, and that healing comes when we find our place in the larger song of life. In a world longing for reconnection, the drum offers a timeless path. Each beat carries us deeper into the heart of transformation, where we rediscover that to be human is to be a rhythm keeper for the Earth. 

The Impact of Drum Circles on Mycelium

Few scientists have bridged the gap between biology, spirituality, and Indigenous wisdom as elegantly as mycologist Paul Stamets. Known for his groundbreaking work on fungi, Stamets has long championed the view that mycelium--the vast underground network of fungal threads that connects ecosystems--functions as both the "internet of the forest" and a living intelligence in its own right.

One of Stamets' more fascinating perspectives is the idea that mycelial networks are sensitive to sound frequencies, particularly low, long-wave vibrations. This insight opens the door to a profound intersection: the science of fungi, the ancient practice of drumming, and the collective energy generated in drum circles. Could it be that the rhythmic pulse of drums not only alters human consciousness but also strengthens and harmonizes the very fungal networks beneath our feet?

The Living Intelligence of Mycelium

Before diving into sound, it's important to understand why mycelium is so remarkable. Beneath the soil, these fungal filaments weave vast, web-like structures that can extend for miles. Through these connections, plants share nutrients, send distress signals, and regulate ecosystem health. Stamets has called mycelium "the Earth's natural internet," emphasizing how fungi play a role in resilience and communication within forests.

What makes mycelium even more extraordinary is its sensitivity. Mycelial cells respond rapidly to changes in moisture, temperature, chemical gradients, and electromagnetic fields. They adapt, reroute, and communicate in ways that suggest a living form of intelligence--one not centered in a brain but distributed throughout a network. It is within this context that sound enters the picture.

Sound as Vibration, Energy, and Pattern

Sound is not just something we hear; it is vibration, energy made visible when translated into waveforms. Long-wave or low-frequency sounds--such as those created by drums, didgeridoos, or gongs--penetrate deeply into matter. Unlike high-pitched sounds that dissipate quickly, long waves travel further, shaking the ground and resonating with structures both large and small.

Experiments in cymatics--the study of visible sound--have shown how vibration organizes particles into geometric patterns. Sand on a vibrating plate, for example, arranges itself into mandalas when exposed to specific frequencies. Stamets has speculated that mycelium, too, may respond to these vibratory forces, perhaps strengthening its hyphal connections or even altering growth patterns in resonance with sound.

Mycelium and the Drum

Drum circles, long practiced in Indigenous and spiritual traditions worldwide, create exactly the type of low-frequency, repetitive sound environment that mycelium might respond to. When dozens of people strike drums in synchrony, the earth beneath them literally vibrates. The soil, the roots of trees, and the fungal webs intertwined with them all experience these rhythmic pulses.

Stamets has suggested that the repeated, long-wave tones from drums could stimulate mycelium, encouraging more robust growth. Just as plants have been shown to grow faster when exposed to certain sound frequencies, fungi may thrive under vibrational nourishment. In this way, drumming becomes not just a human bonding ritual but an ecological act that supports the living networks sustaining forests.

Indigenous Wisdom and Science Converge

What is striking about this theory is how it resonates with Indigenous perspectives. Many cultures have long viewed drumming as a way of communicating with the Earth, calling forth spirits, and harmonizing with nature. Shamans and medicine people have used drumming to open channels of communication with unseen realms, including the plant and fungal kingdoms.

Stamets' biological lens lends scientific credibility to this ancient wisdom. If sound vibrations indeed stimulate mycelial activity, then drum ceremonies are not just symbolic--they may be materially nurturing the fungal webs that make life on Earth possible. This convergence of science and spirituality reflects Stamets' broader vision: that fungi are teachers guiding humanity toward ecological balance.

Human Consciousness, Mycelium, and Resonance

The parallel between mycelium networks and human neural networks is well known. Both are decentralized, adaptive systems that process information and respond to stimuli. Drumming, too, is known to entrain brainwaves, inducing states of relaxation, visioning, or heightened awareness.

When humans gather in a drum circle, their brainwaves synchronize, their hearts beat in coherence, and their collective energy field becomes more unified. If, at the same time, the ground beneath them is vibrating in resonance with these rhythms, we can imagine a kind of multi-level alignment: human minds and bodies entraining with one another, while the fungal networks beneath them are simultaneously stimulated by the same vibratory patterns. This could represent a literal "joining of networks"--the mycelium below, the human community above, all bound by rhythm.

Implications for Ecology and Healing

If Stamets' theory proves true, the implications are profound. Imagine ecological restoration projects that incorporate drumming as a means of stimulating fungal growth in damaged soils. Picture communities gathering not just to heal themselves through rhythm but to support the health of forests, grasslands, and gardens by energizing their fungal allies.

On a personal level, this perspective invites us to see drumming not only as a spiritual practice but also as a collaboration with the unseen life beneath us. Every beat becomes an offering, every rhythm a signal of partnership between humans and fungi. The Earth is not a passive stage for our rituals; it is a living participant.

A New Way of Listening

Paul Stamets often says that fungi are the "grandmothers" of ecological wisdom, organisms that remind us of our interconnectedness. The idea that they respond to the beat of our drums is both humbling and inspiring. It suggests that our music is not only for ourselves but also for the greater web of life

When you next sit in a drum circle, imagine the waves moving downward as well as outward. Picture the mycelial threads pulsing in response, strengthening their bonds, and carrying the rhythm further into the soil. Perhaps the fungi hear us in their own way, and perhaps, through vibration, we are already engaged in dialogue. To learn more, look inside my book Shamanic Drumming Circles Guide.

The Rhythm of Consciousness

Consciousness is often described as a mystery--a vast ocean of awareness beneath the surface of waking thought. But what if consciousness isn't just a static field or isolated state? What if it moves? Pulses? Dances? Emerging research in neuroscience, ancient spiritual traditions, and rhythmic practices such as drumming and chanting all suggest one powerful truth: consciousness has a rhythm. And by aligning ourselves with this rhythm, we can access deeper layers of insight, healing, and connection.
 

The Pulse Behind Awareness
 

Consciousness, at its core, is our capacity to be aware--of ourselves, others, and the world. But this awareness doesn't unfold in a straight, linear path. It undulates, expands and contracts, much like a wave. These rhythmic fluctuations are visible in our brainwaves, which shift depending on our state of alertness, relaxation, or dreaming.
 

Scientific instruments like EEGs (electroencephalograms) show that our brain operates through distinct frequencies--delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves--each associated with different modes of consciousness. Delta waves, for example, dominate during deep sleep, while theta waves are linked to dreamlike, meditative states. Alpha waves accompany calm alertness, and beta waves arise during active thinking or problem-solving. Gamma waves, the fastest, often emerge during moments of peak insight or spiritual awakening.
 

These rhythms aren't random. They're part of a dynamic system that regulates how we perceive, respond, and interpret our reality. The oscillation of consciousness--moving from focus to rest, from thought to silence--is like a breath our mind takes, a rhythm echoing the broader cycles of nature.
 

Rhythms in Nature, Body, and Spirit
 

The rhythm of consciousness mirrors the rhythms all around us. Day turns into night. The tides rise and fall. Seasons cycle in a timeless dance. Our breath comes and goes. Our hearts beat with innate cadence. We sleep, wake, dream, and return again. These patterns are not merely mechanical; they are living expressions of a deeper intelligence.
 

Ancient cultures recognized this. Shamanic traditions across the globe--whether in the Amazon, Siberia, Africa, or North America--have long used rhythm to alter consciousness. Through repetitive drumming, chanting, dancing, or breathing, shamans access non-ordinary states of awareness. In these rhythmic trances, they journey beyond the linear mind, connecting with spirits, ancestors, or inner guides.
 

The drum, for instance, is not just an instrument--it is a vehicle. When played in a steady beat of around 4 to 7 beats per second, it entrains the brain into a theta state. This is the same frequency associated with deep meditation, intuition, and healing visions. By tapping into the rhythm of the drum, practitioners also tap into the rhythm of consciousness itself.
 

Modern Science Meets Ancient Wisdom
 

What shamanic cultures intuited through experience, modern neuroscience is beginning to explain. The brain's neuroplasticity--its ability to rewire itself--is heightened during rhythmic practices. Whether it's music, dance, breathwork, or mantra, these rhythmic tools help synchronize different brain regions, leading to enhanced mental clarity, emotional resilience, and spiritual openness.
 

One powerful example is binaural beats--two slightly different tones played in each ear, which create the illusion of a third "beat" in the brain. This auditory illusion can guide the brain into desired states, such as calm or focus, by mimicking natural brainwave frequencies. It's a modern reimagining of what shamans have done with drums for millennia.
 

Additionally, heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat, is now considered a key indicator of emotional regulation and overall health. Practices like deep breathing and coherent breathing align the rhythms of the heart and brain, creating a state of physiological harmony known as "resonance." In this state, consciousness feels more fluid, present, and connected.
 

Disruptions to the Natural Rhythm
 

Yet in today's world, many people live out of sync with these natural rhythms. Constant stimulation, digital screens, artificial lighting, and rigid schedules flatten the wave of consciousness into a narrow band of beta frequency--where stress, overthinking, and disconnection often rule. Sleep disorders, anxiety, and burnout are the consequences of this chronic misalignment.
 

When we forget how to rest, how to dream, how to tune inward, we lose touch with the broader cycles that nourish the soul. We live at the surface, cut off from the deeper currents that flow beneath. But just as rhythm can be disrupted, it can also be restored.
 

Reclaiming the Rhythm
 

To reconnect with the rhythm of consciousness, we must become intentional about our inner tempo. This doesn't require complex rituals--just simple, mindful practices that bring us back to the body, the breath, and the moment: 

• Meditation helps us observe the rise and fall of thoughts without attachment. As we sit in silence, we begin to notice the subtle rhythms of the mind.
• Drumming or rhythmic movement reintroduces ancient patterns into the nervous system, allowing us to enter altered states of perception.
• Breathwork is one of the most accessible tools. By consciously slowing or regulating our breath, we directly influence our nervous system and brainwaves.
• Listening to nature--the rustle of leaves, the crashing of waves, the chirping of crickets--reminds us that rhythm is all around, waiting to be remembered. 

Even our daily routines can be infused with rhythm. Creating space for rest, reflection, creativity, and connection can help rebalance the jagged pace of modern life. It's less about "doing more" and more about "doing with rhythm."
 

Consciousness as Dance
 

Ultimately, consciousness is not a static spotlight but a dynamic dance--a fluid, rhythmic interplay between being and non-being, between silence and sound. By attuning ourselves to this rhythm, we awaken a more embodied, intuitive, and soulful way of living.
 

We begin to notice the beauty in transitions, the wisdom in pauses, and the power in repetition. We remember that every heartbeat, every breath, every thought is part of a larger symphony. And in that remembering, we find healing.
 

To live in rhythm is to live in harmony--with ourselves, with others, and with the cosmos. Consciousness, after all, doesn't just reside in the brain. It pulses through every cell, every dream, every beat of the drum. And when we finally listen, we discover: the rhythm was there all along.

The Transformative Power of Sound

Sound is more than just an auditory experience; it is a powerful force that can heal, inspire, and transform our minds, bodies, and souls. From ancient civilizations that used chants and drums in their rituals to modern scientists studying the therapeutic effects of sound waves, the significance of sound in shaping human experience is undeniable. Whether through music, nature sounds, or carefully crafted frequencies, sound has the capacity to alter consciousness, enhance well-being, and connect us to something greater than ourselves.
 

The Science of Sound and Its Impact on the Brain
 

Sound is a form of energy that travels through vibrations, affecting everything it touches--including our brains. Neuroscientists have discovered that different frequencies and types of sound can activate various neural pathways, influencing mood, cognition, and even physical health. Studies show that listening to music can trigger the release of dopamine, the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitter, leading to improved mood and reduced stress.
 

Additionally, brainwave entrainment, a phenomenon where rhythmic auditory stimuli synchronize with brainwave activity, has been shown to induce states of deep relaxation, heightened focus, and even altered consciousness. Binaural beats, a form of auditory illusion created by playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear, can encourage the brain to enter specific states, such as alpha waves for relaxation or theta waves for meditation and creativity.
 

Sound Healing and Its Ancient Roots
 

Long before science began studying sound's effects, ancient civilizations recognized its power. The use of sound in healing rituals can be traced back to Egyptian, Greek, and Indian cultures. In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, mantras and specific sound vibrations are used to balance the body's energy centers, or chakras. Similarly, Tibetan monks have used singing bowls and overtone chanting for centuries to promote meditation and spiritual enlightenment.
 

One of the most well-documented sound healing techniques is the use of Solfeggio frequencies--specific tones believed to possess healing properties. For example, the 528 Hz frequency, often called the "Love Frequency," is associated with DNA repair and positive transformation. These frequencies have been incorporated into modern sound therapy practices to promote emotional healing and personal growth.
 

Music as a Tool for Transformation
 

Music is perhaps the most universal and accessible form of sound therapy. It has the ability to evoke emotions, stimulate memories, and create profound shifts in consciousness. Certain types of music, such as classical compositions or ambient soundscapes, can induce relaxation and enhance concentration, while upbeat rhythms can energize and motivate.
 

Music therapy has been increasingly used in clinical settings to aid patients with neurological disorders, anxiety, and depression. For instance, Alzheimer's patients often experience memory recall when exposed to familiar music from their past, demonstrating music's deep connection to the brain's memory centers. Additionally, rhythm-based therapies, such as drumming circles, have been used to help individuals process trauma and express emotions non-verbally.
 

Nature Sounds and Their Restorative Effects
 

Beyond human-made music, the sounds of nature have a profound impact on our well-being. Studies have shown that listening to natural soundscapes--such as ocean waves, rustling leaves, or birdsong--can significantly reduce stress and promote a sense of tranquility. This is because nature sounds have an inherent ability to mask jarring noises, lower cortisol levels, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and recovery. 

 

Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," a Japanese practice of immersing oneself in the sounds and sights of the forest, has been found to have numerous health benefits, including reduced blood pressure and enhanced mood. This underscores the idea that sound, even in its most organic form, plays a crucial role in our mental and physical health.
 

The Role of Sound in Meditation and Spiritual Practices
 

For centuries, various spiritual traditions have used sound to deepen meditation and enhance spiritual experiences. Chanting, toning, and singing bowls are commonly employed to help individuals reach altered states of consciousness. The repetition of sacred sounds, such as "Om" in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, is believed to attune the body to the vibrations of the universe, fostering a sense of unity and inner peace.
 

In modern meditation practices, guided sound meditations and sound baths have gained popularity. Sound baths, which involve being enveloped in soothing sounds from gongs, crystal bowls, or tuning forks, can facilitate deep relaxation, emotional release, and even profound spiritual experiences. Many people report feeling a sense of weightlessness or transcendence after such sessions, further proving sound's ability to alter perception and elevate consciousness.
 

Using Sound Intentionally in Everyday Life
 

Given sound's transformative potential, incorporating intentional sound practices into daily life can be profoundly beneficial. Here are a few ways to harness the power of sound:

• Create a Personal Sound Sanctuary: Dedicate a space for relaxation with soothing music, singing bowls, or ambient soundscapes.
• Use Binaural Beats or Isochronic Tones: Experiment with brainwave entrainment for focus, relaxation, or meditation.
• Engage in Vocal Toning or Chanting: Using your own voice to produce vibrations can be a powerful tool for self-healing.
• Spend Time in Nature: Listen to the sounds of water, birds, or wind to restore balance and calm the mind.
• Play or Listen to Music Mindfully: Instead of passive listening, actively engage with music, paying attention to how it affects your emotions and body.
  

Conclusion
 

The power of sound is undeniable--it shapes our emotions, influences our physiology, and connects us to deeper aspects of ourselves and the world around us. Whether through music, nature sounds, ancient healing practices, or modern therapeutic techniques, sound offers a gateway to transformation. By consciously incorporating sound into our lives, we can harness its ability to heal, inspire, and elevate our consciousness. In a world filled with noise, learning to listen intentionally can be one of the most profound tools for personal and collective transformation.

Healing with Sound

In today's fast-paced world, people are constantly searching for ways to restore balance, reduce stress, and find inner peace. While meditation, yoga, and mindfulness have gained popularity, another ancient practice is now finding its place in modern wellness routines: healing with sound. This holistic approach harnesses the vibrational power of sound frequencies to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
 

Sound has been used as a healing tool for thousands of years, spanning cultures and traditions. From Tibetan singing bowls and shamanic drumming to chanting and modern sound baths, sound therapy offers a unique way to achieve harmony within the body and mind. But how exactly does sound healing work, and why is it so effective? Let's explore the science, history, and benefits of this transformative practice.
 

The Science Behind Sound Healing
 

At its core, sound healing is based on the principle of vibration. Everything in the universe vibrates at a specific frequency, including the human body. When we are healthy, our cells and organs vibrate at their optimal frequencies. However, stress, illness, and emotional trauma can disrupt these natural vibrations, leading to imbalance and dis-ease.
 

Sound therapy works by using specific frequencies to restore harmony and alignment within the body. This concept is backed by the science of entrainment, which refers to the tendency of a weaker or disordered vibration to synchronize with a stronger, more stable one. For example, when a tuning fork is struck and held near another tuning fork, the second one begins to vibrate at the same frequency. Similarly, sound healing instruments can help recalibrate the body's energy fields and bring them back into balance.
 

Research supports the therapeutic effects of sound. Studies have shown that sound frequencies can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), slow heart rate, and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system--responsible for the body's "rest and digest" response. Sound waves also have the potential to penetrate deep into the body, promoting relaxation and reducing tension in muscles and tissues.
 

The Ancient Origins of Sound Healing
 

The use of sound for healing and spiritual purposes is as old as humanity itself. Ancient civilizations recognized the power of sound to influence the mind, body, and soul. Here are some examples of sound healing traditions:

1. Tibetan Singing Bowls: For centuries, Tibetan monks have used singing bowls during meditation and healing ceremonies. These bowls produce harmonic overtones that create a sense of calm and clarity, making them a powerful tool for reducing stress and balancing chakras.
2. Mantras and Chanting: In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, chanting sacred mantras like “Om” is believed to resonate with the universal vibration and promote inner peace. These repetitive sounds have a meditative effect, quieting the mind and aligning the spirit.
3. Shamanic Drumming: Indigenous cultures around the world use drums in their healing rituals. The rhythmic beats are thought to mimic the heartbeat of the Earth, grounding individuals and inducing a trance-like state for spiritual healing.
4. Ancient Egyptian Temples: Archaeologists have discovered that ancient Egyptian temples were designed with acoustics in mind, suggesting that sound was used in sacred ceremonies to elevate consciousness and facilitate healing.
   

These time-tested practices continue to inspire modern sound healing techniques.
 

Modern Applications of Sound Therapy
 

In recent years, sound healing has gained traction as a legitimate therapeutic practice, with practitioners and wellness centers offering a variety of sound-based modalities. Some popular techniques include:

1. Sound Baths: During a sound bath, participants lie down in a relaxed position while being enveloped by soothing sounds from instruments like gongs, crystal singing bowls, and chimes. The immersive experience is designed to help release tension, reduce anxiety, and promote deep relaxation.
2. Binaural Beats: Binaural beats involve listening to two slightly different frequencies in each ear. The brain processes these frequencies and creates a third tone, known as a binaural beat, which can induce specific states of consciousness, such as relaxation, focus, or improved sleep.
3. Tuning Fork Therapy: Practitioners use calibrated tuning forks to apply specific sound frequencies to different parts of the body. This technique is believed to release energetic blockages, improve circulation, and enhance overall well-being.
4. Voice and Vocal Toning: The human voice is a powerful healing tool. Chanting, humming, or vocal toning can help release emotions, clear energetic blockages, and strengthen the connection between mind and body.
   

Benefits of Sound Healing
 

The benefits of sound healing are as varied as the techniques themselves. While experiences may differ from person to person, many individuals report profound physical, emotional, and spiritual improvements. 

Here are some key benefits:

• Stress Reduction: Sound therapy is highly effective at reducing stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and lowering cortisol levels.
• Enhanced Mental Clarity: The meditative qualities of sound can quiet the mind, improve focus, and increase creativity.
• Emotional Release: Deep vibrations can help release pent-up emotions and trauma, fostering emotional healing and resilience.
• Better Sleep: Many people find that sound therapy helps them relax and fall asleep more easily, improving sleep quality.
• Pain Relief: Sound waves may reduce physical discomfort by relaxing muscles and tissues, as well as by stimulating the body's natural healing processes.
• Spiritual Connection: Sound has the power to deepen one's connection to their inner self, the universe, and a higher consciousness.
  

Incorporating Sound Healing into Your Life
 

Sound healing is accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or background. Here are some simple ways to incorporate sound into your daily wellness routine:

• Listen to Healing Frequencies: Explore music tuned to healing frequencies, such as 528 Hz (known as the "love frequency") or 432 Hz (associated with harmony and balance).
• Use a Singing Bowl: Invest in a small singing bowl to create soothing vibrations during meditation or mindfulness practices.
• Practice Vocal Toning: Spend a few minutes each day humming, chanting, or singing to experience the calming effects of your own voice.
• Attend a Sound Bath: Look for local sound healing events or guided sessions to immerse yourself in a restorative sonic experience.
• Try Drumming: Drumming is perhaps the oldest form of active meditation known to humanity. It is a simple and effortless way to still the chatter of the mind, thereby inducing altered states of consciousness. It is one of the quickest and most powerful ways I know to open the heart and connect with a power greater than ourselves.
  

Final Thoughts
 

Healing with sound is a gentle yet powerful way to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you seek stress relief, emotional balance, or a deeper spiritual connection, sound therapy offers a pathway to harmony and well-being. As science continues to uncover the profound effects of sound on the human body, this ancient practice is becoming a cornerstone of modern holistic health. So, take a moment to listen--to a song, a bowl, a beat--and let the power of sound guide you on your healing journey.

Understanding the Four Elements and Directions

The cardinal directions, North, East, South, and West, represent more than just navigational tools. Each direction has a deep meaning that is tied to one of the four elements of life: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. The interplay between the elements and the cardinal directions is a concept that has fascinated humanity for centuries. Each direction is associated with an element of the natural world, and represents some part of our human nature as well. Understanding how we relate to the four elements and directions can teach us a lot about ourselves, help us to grow and can support us through life's many changes.
 

The four elements, as shown in the accompanying diagram, are charted around a cosmic compass or wheel of life. The cosmic wheel is a mandala, a symbolic blueprint or map of reality. It represents a multidimensional, interwoven web of relationships that are in constant communion with each other. The sacred wheel exists simultaneously in a horizontal and vertical axis, as well as in the unfolding continuum of time--past, present, and future. The cosmic wheel serves as a portal to consciously enter the cyclic, time-space unfolding of the universe through a practice of reverent, harmonious relationship. It is based on the belief that the universe is alive, sentient, and constantly communicating its wisdom to who ever makes an effort to listen.
 

The cosmic wheel represents the archetypal journey each of us takes in life. This journey has four stages, each associated with a cardinal direction. To move around the wheel and develop a relationship with each direction is to step onto a path of learning and fulfillment. Each direction and its associated element has qualities and attributes that help us spiral toward completion on the wheel of life. All creatures walk the circumference of the cosmic wheel, experiencing the four stages of human life: birth, youth, adulthood, and death. After completing a cycle of learning on the sacred wheel, each of us returns to the source at the center or heart of the circle.
 

Attributes of the Elements and Cardinal Directions
 

1. Air/East
 

Air is the element of the East, connected to the soul and the breath of life. Air signifies intellect, communication, and freedom. It is the element of thought, representing the mind and the power of ideas. Air's qualities include lightness, movement, and expansiveness. It is associated with clarity, insight, and the ability to connect with others through language and expression. In many traditions, Air is seen as the breath of life, essential for mental and spiritual well-being. Though the qualities attributed to each of the four cardinal directions tend to vary from culture to culture, the energy of the East is typically associated with spring, morning, birth, beginnings, illumination, knowledge, learning and intellectual curiosity. The East represents new life being brought into the world. It is the direction of the sunrise, heralding the start of a new day and the promise of opportunities. In many cultures, the East is seen as a place of renewal and vision, where one can gain insight and inspiration. It encourages openness, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge.
 

2. Fire/South
 

Fire is purifying, masculine yang energy associated with the South, and connected to strong will and energy. Fire represents energy, transformation, and passion. It is the element of action and drive, associated with the sun and the spark of life. Fire's qualities include warmth, intensity, and the ability to consume and regenerate. It is often seen as a catalyst for change, symbolizing both destruction and rebirth, and is connected to creativity and the willpower to achieve goals. The cardinal direction South is related to summer, midday, logic, youth, trust, and expansion. The South represents youth and adolescence--a time of growth, learning and development of the self. From the South rises the vital energy of renewal, regeneration, and growth. From the South we learn to plant seeds of good cause. We learn that our thoughts and actions create our reality. It is a place of action and movement, encouraging individuals to pursue their goals with enthusiasm and determination.
 

3. Water/West
 

Used for healing, cleansing, and purification, Water is a feminine yin energy associated with the West. Water is essential to life; it flows through all plants, people, and wildlife. Water embodies fluidity, emotions, and intuition. It is the element of change and adaptability, capable of taking various forms and influencing all it touches. Water is linked to the subconscious mind, dreams, and the ebb and flow of feelings. Its qualities include flexibility, continuity, depth, and the ability to cleanse and purify, making it a vital component of spiritual and physical renewal. The cardinal direction West is associated with fall, twilight, the moon, and the emotional self. In the West, we are drawn into the experience of our emotions. It is a direction that calls us to self-reflection and self-understanding. The West represents adulthood and meeting the fulfilment of life as we find our meaning and place. It is the direction of the setting sun, signifying the end of a cycle and the transition into reflection and rest. It is a space for understanding and integrating experiences, fostering emotional growth and wisdom.
 

4. Earth/North

Connected to the North, Earth is considered the ultimate feminine element, often associated with the Goddess. Earth is widely associated with stability, grounding, and the material world. It represents the physical aspects of existence, including the body and the tangible environment. In various traditions, Earth is considered the foundation upon which all life is built. Its qualities include form, solidity, endurance, and fertility, making it a symbol of sustenance and growth. The cardinal direction North is typically associated with winter, night, introspection, death and completion of the life cycle. This is the place of wisdom and of imparting the knowledge gained from a lifetime of living in the physical world to the younger generations. It is a time of reflection, rest and increased understanding of the aspects of the spiritual world. In the North we assimilate our life experiences before we exit the realm of physical experience and join into vast levels of experience in the spirit worlds of light, or we choose to return and walk again the sacred wheel of life.
 

The Building Blocks of Nature
 

The four elements are the building blocks of nature and interact with humans in the creative process. The elements are living energies, which change and move as we think, and then take the form of our thoughts. Thought is the tool of the mind that shapes physical reality. Every thought, idea, or image in the mind has form and substance. Everything that we perceive began with a thought, for it is the blending of thought forms with the elemental rhythms that shape physical reality. It is the consciousness of humanity that holds the present physical form of all that we perceive. It is the mind that determines the destiny of forms. We are mind. Our Earth is mind. We live in a universe of mind. From photons to galaxies, life is conscious intelligent energy that can form itself into any pattern or function.
 

The key to understanding the creative process is to realize that the universe is made of vibrational energy: that it is a single, flowing, rhythmic being. According to quantum physics, everything in the universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest star, has an inherent vibrational pattern. The entire universe is created through vibration and can be influenced through vibration. T'an Ch'iao, a Taoist adept of the tenth century, expressed this potential when he wrote, "When energy moves, sound is emitted; when sound comes forth, energy vibrates. When energy vibrates, influences are activated and things change. Therefore it is possible thereby to command wind and clouds, produce frost and hail, cause phoenixes to sing, get bears to dance, make friends with spiritual luminescences."(1)
 

The compass or circular arrangement of the elements illustrates the sequence of development in the process of manifestation. Born of the silent emptiness of the center, vibration cycles around the periphery of the circle. Moving from East (Air) to South (Fire) to West (Water) to North (Earth), vibration bonds the elements, and then reverses its rotation toward emptiness to begin the cycle anew. The unmanifest essence of vibration precipitates this bonding sequence in order to manifest a desired form. The energy of vibration is alive and, because it is alive, it seeks ways in which to express or manifest itself. As Ute-Tiwa shaman Joseph Rael concludes in his book, Being and Vibration, "Apparently materialization occurs because vibration is seeking to purify the center (heart) of its newly formulated form."(2)
 

Conclusion
 

In the Native American traditions, the wheel or sacred hoop of life defines all that is the Great Mystery, the source of all creation. The Great Mystery reveals itself as the powers of the four directions and these four powers provide the organizing principle for everything that exists in the world. There are four elements, four winds, four seasons, four phases of the moon, four stages to humanity's spiritual evolution, and so on. We are here on Earth to experience and realize the mystery. The vision of that mystery is ever present within each of us. When we mindfully connect with the elements and cardinal directions, we begin to realize the sacred vision. We orient ourselves in the living web of life, yielding greater awareness and perspective. We develop a meaningful understanding of the natural world and our place within it.

1. Thomas Cleary, Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook (Shambhala, 1991).
2. Joseph Rael and Mary Marlow, Being and Vibration (Tulsa: Council Oak Books, 1993), p 185.

Healing with Acoustic Resonance

Drumming is a profound way to promote healing. Through acoustic resonance, drumming helps restore the vibrational integrity of body, mind, and spirit. Acoustic resonance is the ability of a sound wave to impart its energy to a substance such as air, wood, metal, or the human body, making it vibrate in sympathy. For example, when you tap a tuning fork in proximity to another one of the same tone, both will vibrate. Acoustic resonance is an important consideration for instrument builders, as most acoustic instruments use resonators, such as the strings and body of a violin, the length of tube in a flute, and the shape of a drum membrane. A single-headed frame or hoop drum works best for acoustic resonance healing--the larger the drum, the greater the resonance.
 

The drum is a powerful tool for healing. As we play the drum, the drum then plays our bodies. The various frequencies of the drum interact with our own resonant frequencies, forming new harmonic alignments. Through the natural law of resonance, the sound waves produced by the drum impart their energy to the resonating systems of the body, mind and spirit, making them vibrate in sympathy. When we drum, our living flesh, brainwaves and spiritual energy centers entrain or synchronize to the sound waves and rhythms. This sympathetic resonance has the following key effects:
 

1. It produces deeper self-awareness by inducing synchronous brain activity. Research has demonstrated that the physical transmission of rhythmic energy to the brain synchronizes the two cerebral hemispheres. When the logical left hemisphere and the intuitive right hemisphere begin to pulsate in harmony, the inner guidance of intuitive knowing can then flow unimpeded into conscious awareness. The ability to access unconscious information through symbols and imagery facilitates psychological integration and a reintegration of self. Drumming also synchronizes the frontal and lower areas of the brain, integrating nonverbal information from lower brain structures into the frontal cortex, producing feelings of insight, understanding, integration, certainty, conviction, and truth, which surpass ordinary understandings and tend to persist long after the experience, often providing foundational insights for religious and cultural traditions.
 

2. It releases negative feelings, blockages, and emotional trauma. Drumming can help people express and address emotional issues. Unexpressed feelings and emotions can form energy blockages. The physical stimulation of drumming removes blockages and produces emotional release. Sound vibrations resonate through every cell in the body, stimulating the release of negative cellular memories.
 

3. It accesses the entire brain. The reason rhythm is such a powerful tool is that it permeates the entire brain. Vision for example is in one part of the brain, speech another, but acoustic resonance penetrates the whole brain. The sound of drumming generates dynamic neuronal connections in all parts of the brain even where there is significant damage or impairment such as in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). According to Michael Thaut, director of Colorado State University's Center for Biomedical Research in Music, "Rhythmic cues can help retrain the brain after a stroke or other neurological impairment, as with Parkinson’s patients...." The more connections that can be made within the brain, the more integrated our experiences become.
 

4. It induces natural altered states of consciousness. Rhythmic drumming induces altered states, which have a wide range of therapeutic applications. A landmark study by Barry Quinn, Ph.D. demonstrates that even a brief drumming session can double alpha brain wave activity, dramatically reducing stress. The brain changes from Beta waves (focused concentration and activity) to Alpha waves (calm and relaxed), producing feelings of euphoria and well-being. Alpha activity is associated with meditation, shamanic trance, and integrative modes of consciousness.
 

5. It helps us to experience being in resonance with the natural rhythms of life. Rhythm and resonance order the natural world. Dissonance and disharmony arise only when we limit our capacity to resonate totally and completely with the rhythms of life. The origin of the word rhythm is Greek meaning "to flow." We can learn to flow with the rhythms of life by simply learning to feel the beat, pulse, or groove while drumming. When drummers feel this rhythmic flow, especially at a slower, steady beat, they can shift into a state of deep relaxation and expanded awareness. It is a way of bringing the essential self into accord with the flow of a dynamic, interrelated universe, helping us feel connected rather than isolated and estranged.

How Rhythm Shapes Our Lives

Simply put, rhythm is a strong repeated pattern of movement or sound, generally considered to be an ordered alternation of contrasting elements. As regular and natural patterns of change, rhythms are everywhere--in the cycle of seasons, the tides, the phases of the moon, waking and sleeping, day and night, ebb and flow, yin and yang. In fact, rhythm is the very pulse of the universe. According to quantum physics, everything in the universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest star, has an inherent vibrational pattern. Everything has a unique vibrational frequency--a pulsating rhythm that belongs only to it. Within the heart of each of us, there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythm that connects us to the totality of a dynamic, interrelated universe.
 

Rhythm interconnects everything in the natural world. All living things share in the common experience of being plugged into the electromagnetic grid of the planet. All life pulsates in time to the planet’s extremely low frequencies, which are concentrated at about 7.83 Hz (cycles per second). This so-called Schumann resonance is produced and maintained by more than eight million global lightning strikes a day. Every lightning bolt discharges a large amount of energy and so contributes to the Earth’s background base frequency or "heartbeat." This alpha rhythm is the primary frequency in the web of life. All life forms are innately connected to this primary frequency.
 

Beyond natural manifestations, rhythm characterizes human expression and is inseparable from speech, music, dance, and all forms of art. Rhythm plays an important role in how we perceive and connect with the world. Rhythm plays a role in listening, in walking, and in language. More importantly, rhythm is the underlying foundation of human sociability and interaction. Consider the broad range of biological rhythms in the human body, fast and slow, transmuted and integrated by the complex interdependence of the somatic, autonomic and endocrine nervous systems. The results of this synthesis of movement and sound act directly on us, spatially and temporally differentiating our interactional patterns.
 

Indeed, the very universality of rhythm is a compelling argument for the existence of biological processes governing the perception and production of rhythm. Rhythms in the brain have been identified as a basis for consciousness itself. According to neuroscience research, rhythm is rooted in innate functions of the brain, mind, and consciousness. As human beings, we are innately rhythmic. Our relationship with rhythm begins in the womb. At twenty two days, a single (human embryo) cell jolts to life. This first beat awakens nearby cells and incredibly they all begin to beat in perfect unison. These beating cells divide and become our heart. This desire to beat in unison seemingly fuels our entire lives. Studies show that, regardless of musical training, we are innately able to perceive and recall elements of beat and rhythm.
 

It makes sense, then, that beat and rhythm are an important aspect in music therapy. Our brains are hard-wired to be able to entrain to a beat. Entrainment occurs when two or more rhythms come into sync and begin to beat as one. If you are walking down a street and you hear a song, you instinctively begin to step in sync to the beat of the song. This is actually an important area of current music therapy research. Our brain enables our motor system to naturally entrain to a rhythmic beat, allowing music therapists to target rehabilitating movements. The better we understand the biological basis of rhythm, the better we will be able to employ rhythm--in all its guises--to improve communication and to better understand ourselves.

Drumming in the New Year 2023

Season's Greetings! I want to thank all of my readers for their continued support. It has been quite a year. My blog reached a milestone surpassing 685,000 pageviews. My most read post was "Signs of a Shamanic Calling." I am humbled by the interest and engagement of readers since launching this blog in 2010. This blog is part of my effort to create an empowered global shamanic community for the sake of our future generations. My mission is to create a vibrant international community devoted to shamanic drumming as a vehicle for healing, consciousness expansion and community building.
 

As 2022 comes to a close, I will be celebrating New Year's Eve by drumming out the old year and drumming in the New Year. Drumming in the New Year is a great way to set the tone and intention for 2023. It is also a good time to reflect on the year ending to see where you have erred and reform those beliefs, attitudes, and strategies no longer applicable to the New Year unfolding. It is an opportunity to feel gratitude for all that has been received and accomplished throughout the past year. Such a fresh open-minded approach will broaden your perspective and start you out on the right track. What will you be "drumming" into your life for 2023?

The Drum and the World Tree

In world mythology, the World Tree is the axis mundi or central axis of the Cosmos. The World Tree could be considered the core fractal of creation which serves to manifest the Universe. Images of the World Tree exist in virtually all cultures, and represent the world center and/or the connection between heaven and earth. The axis mundi links heaven and earth as well as providing a path between the two. Many ancient cultures incorporate the myth of the World Tree, Tree of Life, or Tree of Knowledge as it is also known.

Shamans believe that this cosmic axis and the Cosmos it unites exist within human consciousness. According to shamanic cosmology, there are three inner planes of consciousness: the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds. The roots of the World Tree touch the Lower World. Its trunk is the Middle World and its branches hold up the Upper World. Humans did not invent these inner realms; they discovered them. Far from being a human contrivance, these archetypal worlds are inherent in the collective unconscious, the common psychological inheritance of humanity. They are woven into the matrix of the psyche, for we are a fractal of creation. They are a part of our psyche, a part of us whether we choose to become aware of it or not.  

Through the sound of the drum, which is invariably made of wood from the World Tree, the shaman is transported to the axis within and conveyed from plane to plane. As Tuvan musicologist Valentina Suzukei explains: "There is a bridge on these sound waves so you can go from one world to another. In the sound world, a tunnel opens through which we can pass, or the shaman's spirits come to us. When you stop playing the drum, the bridge disappears."

The inner axis passes through an opening or hole through which the shaman traverses the inner planes in order to mediate between the needs of the spirit world and those of the material world. It is an inward spiritual journey of rapture in which the shaman interacts with the inner spirit world, thereby influencing the outer material world. In the shaman's world, all human experience is self-generated. Experience is shaped from within since the three realms or resonant fields that define our experience of reality exist within each of us.

The cosmology of the drum

In the shaman's world, the drum is a most sacred instrument. The double-headed drum is believed to embody the sacred forces of the Cosmos through its sounds, structural features, contents, and connection to shamanic trance. The various parts of the drum also symbolize the structures of the world. Cosmologically, the drum depicts a microcosm of the Universe with its three zones -- the Upper, Middle and Lower Worlds. The two drumheads symbolize the Upper and Lower Worlds.

The rim of the drum symbolizes the Middle World and is connected to the World Tree through the wood of the frame and its association through all trees back to the First Tree. Like the World Tree, which links the earth and sky, the rim links the two sides of the drum -- the yin and the yang. A double-headed drum unites the sacred feminine and masculine aspects of the Universe within itself. It restores the balance of these polar, yet co-creative elements.

The two drumheads also symbolize the two states of existence -- unmanifest and manifest. When a double-headed drum is vibrated, it produces dissimilar sounds which are fused together by resonance to create one sound. The drumbeat is the tuner sound, the sound that fuses the unmanifest and manifest aspects of vibration into one resonance. The sound thus produced symbolizes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation.

From a shamanic perspective, caretaking the drum and playing it properly during ritual fulfills the destiny of the human spirit -- to sustain the order of existence. In the rapture of ritual drumming, the shaman brings the World Tree into existence, opening a path of communication with the world above and the world below. Materialized in the drum, the trunk of the tree goes through the Middle World; its roots plunge to the nadir in the Lower World, and its branches soar to the zenith in the highest layer of the Upper World. The drum becomes the axis mundi or central axis through which the shaman maintains the world's equilibrium.

Rhythm Healing

The key to understanding the shaman's world is to realize that the universe is made of vibrational energy. According to quantum physics, everything in the universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest star, has an inherent vibrational pattern. The entire universe is created through vibration and can be influenced through the healing vibrations of shamanic drumming. The shamanic drum is a tool for altering the vibrational state of the shaman and/or the healee or a particular situation in the community. To put it simply, shamanic drumming is an ancient form of rhythm healing.

Rhythm healing is an approach that uses therapeutic rhythm techniques to promote health and well-being. Rhythm healing employs specialized rhythmic drumming patterns designed to influence the internal rhythmic patterns of the individual and harmonize those which are thought to be causing the illness or imbalance. When administered correctly, specific rhythms may be used to accelerate physical healing, stimulate the release of emotional trauma and produce deeper self-awareness. This technique has been used for thousands of years by indigenous cultures around the planet to treat a variety of conditions.

Rhythm healing relies on the natural laws of resonance and entrainment to restore the vibrational integrity of body, mind and spirit. In resonance, the sound waves produced by the drum impart their energy to the resonating systems of the body, mind and spirit, making them vibrate in sympathy. When we drum, our living flesh, brainwaves and auric energy field entrain to the sound waves and rhythms. This sympathetic resonance forms new harmonic alignments, opens the body's energy meridians, releases blocked emotional patterns, promotes healing, and helps connect us to our core, enhancing our sense of empowerment and stimulating our creative expression. A single-headed frame or hoop drum works best for rhythm healing -- the larger the drum, the greater the resonance.

Finding the right rhythm

A rhythm healer may have a repertory of established rhythms or improvise a new rhythm, uniquely indicated for the situation. Determining the right rhythm in each case is a highly individual matter. No predetermined formulas are given. The rhythmist needs to create a dialogue between the sounds he/she produces and the responses of the person being treated. The drumming is not restricted to a regular tempo, but may pause, speed up or slow down with irregular accents. The practitioner may stop playing altogether, or suddenly hoist the drum skyward and bang it violently, throwing the disease into the heavens, returning it to the spirit world.

Tuvan shamans, for example, often improvise sounds, rhythms and chants in order to converse with both the spirit world and the healee. The sounds produced by the shaman and the drum go out and certain frequencies and overtones are then reflected back. Information is generally received as subtle vibrations, which the shaman then interprets as sounds, images or as rhythms.

To find the right rhythm, invoke the spirit of your drum, and ask it to come to you and become your ally. State your intention -- what you desire or expect to accomplish -- in a clear and concise manner, and then sit and meditate with your drum for a few minutes. By stilling the mind, you will be able to connect with the spirit of the drum. When you feel ready, pick up your drumstick and begin to play whatever feels appropriate. When you focus on the spiritual intention or the energy of what is being played, it allows the music to become very loose, spontaneous and innovative.

I learned that when I trust my intuition to play the appropriate rhythm, which I do not know in advance, I cannot go wrong. I know that when I open up and play what I feel, the drumming is fresh, different and spontaneous each time. Rhythmic improvisation is a musical expression of the soul. It is a way to let spirit work through you for the purpose of healing and helping others.

Rhythm healing is about finding the right rhythm. Rhythm and resonance order the natural world. Dissonance and disharmony arise only when we limit our capacity to resonate completely with the rhythms of life. The origin of the word rhythm is Greek meaning "to flow." We can learn to flow with the rhythms of life by simply learning to feel the beat or pulse while drumming. It is a way of bringing the essential self into accord with the flow of a boundless, interrelated universe, helping us feel connected rather than isolated and estranged. To learn more, look inside The Shamanic Drum: A Guide to Sacred Drumming.

Experiencing Rhythms in the Body

Rhythm is a universal vibrational language. We respond to rhythm whenever we sense it and seek it out when it is not present, for we are innately rhythmic. Every rhythm has its own quality and touches you in a unique way. To experience this for yourself, try playing some different rhythms. Whether you drum or merely tap your fingers, learn to "feel the beat" by allowing it to sink into your body and consciousness. Notice how your body responds to each pattern. Keep in mind that the manner in which you play or shape a rhythm will affect your response. One of the paradoxes of rhythm is that it has both the capacity to move your awareness out of your body into realms beyond time and space and to ground you firmly in the present moment.
 

Begin by playing a steady, metronome-like rhythm with uniform time intervals. A clockwork drum beat generates a dynamic energy that is yang, creative, and expansive in nature. Dynamic energies are ascending forces that carry consciousness into higher realms. At a rapid tempo of three to four beats per second, a steady, rhythmic pattern, or "eagle-beat," will arouse and vitalize you. It creates the sensation of inner movement, which, if you allow it, will carry you along. As you continue to drum, you will become more ecstatic. You and your drum will seem to merge. You may speed up or slow down. That is perfectly normal. Shamanic trance is characterized by its range and flexibility, so don't get hung up on trying to maintain a certain speed. It can be distracting and your hands may get tired. Follow your inner sense of timing as to both tempo and duration.
 

After drumming the eagle-beat, simply relax and bathe in the sonic afterglow of physical and spiritual well-being. When the final drumbeat fades into silence, an inaudible, yet perceptible pulsation persists for a brief period. This silent pulse is ever-present within each of us, but our awareness is rarely in sync with it. Sense this silent pulse resonating within your body. You may experience the sensation of every particle in your body pulsing in sync with the rhythm you just played. This inner pulse entrains to the rhythmic pattern as soon as you begin to drum.
 

Next, try playing the steady pulse of a heartbeat rhythm. A two-beat rhythm produces a different sonic experience. The soft, steady lub-dub, lub-dub of a heartbeat rhythm has a calming and centering affect. It reconnects us to the warmth and safety of the first sound we ever heard -- the nurturing pulse of our mother's heartbeat melding with our own. According to Ted Andrews, author of Animal Speak, "a rhythm of two is a rhythm that helps connect you to the feminine energies of creative imagination, birth, and intuition." At a more rapid tempo, the heartbeat rhythm stimulates a downward flow of energy within the body. It generates a magnetic energy that is yin, intuitive, and receptive in nature. Magnetic energies are descending forces conducive to great healing, mind, and regenerative powers.
 

These two simple drum patterns are the healing rhythms I use most often in my shamanic work. Moreover, they are rhythm archetypes representing yin -- the form giving principle of energy, and yang -- the principle of life and consciousness immanent in all phenomena. Yin and yang are the binary elements that generate between them the totality of existence. A binary progression underlies the structure of reality. At a fundamental level, the laws of the universe are written in a binary code. The binary mathematical system forms the basis of computer languages and applies to nearly everything from crystalline structures to the genetic code. The binary basis of the genetic code is formed by the plus and minus strands of DNA.
 

The human experience is a microcosm and reflection of binary progression. The archetypes of rhythm are the fundamental patterns that underlie our resonant field of reality. Entraining to these archetypal rhythms, we experience them directly and discover our rhythmic interconnections. Each pattern pulsates specific qualities of energy that give inherent structure and meaning to the possibilities of being. They exist in every human being from the moment of conception to the final breath. Each human being is an integral composite of the archetypes of rhythm. Each of us is a series of rhythmic patterns summed up as a single inner pulse, the essential aspect of our being.

"The Shamanic Drum" July eBook Sale

Mark your calendar! I am taking part in the 14th annual Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale, taking place Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 31 2022. For the entire month of July, all of my ebooks are 50% off list price: The Shamanic Drum: A Guide to Sacred Drumming, I Ching: The Tao of Drumming, Shamanic Drumming: Calling the Spirits, Shamanic Drumming Circles Guide, The Great Shift, Riding Spirit Horse: A Journey into Shamanism and Shamanic Journeys: An Anthology. Choose from multiple file formats including .epub, .mobi for Kindles, and PDF. Click on the following link to my Smashwords author page and you will receive the 50% discount automatically by adding my books to your cart: Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale.
 

Why does Smashwords call it "Summer/Winter"? Here in the Northern hemisphere, it's mid-summer. Readers are loading their e-reading devices for summer beach reading and long-awaited vacations. South of the equator, readers are now in the middle of winter. They're ready to curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a great read too! Smashwords is the world's largest distributor of indie ebooks. They make it fast, free and easy for any author or publisher, anywhere in the world, to publish and distribute ebooks to the major retailers and thousands of libraries. The Smashwords Store provides an opportunity to discover new voices in all categories and genres of the written word.

The Seven Principles of Hermeticism

Hermeticism is an ancient religious-philosophical tradition based primarily upon writings attributed to the mythical Hermes Trismegistus, an amalgamation of the Egyptian God Thoth and the Greek God Hermes. Hermeticism was largely a product of religious syncretism, drawing together themes from Judaism, Hellenistic philosophy and mythology, and classical Egyptian religion. The surviving writings of Hermeticism are known as the Corpus Hermetica, which is composed of a series of letters from Hermes Trismegistus, wherein he tries to enlighten his disciple. These letters were lost to the western world after classical times, but survived in the Byzantine libraries.

Throughout its history, Hermeticism was closely associated with the idea of a primeval, divine wisdom, revealed only to the most ancient of sages. In the Renaissance, this developed into the notion of an ancient theology, which asserted that there is a single, true theology which was given by God to some of the first humans, and traces of which may still be found in various ancient systems of thought. As a divine fountain of writing, the Hermetic texts contain the natural laws of the Universe. Knowing these principles will broaden your viewpoint, expand your horizons, and aid you in the pursuit of fuller, happier, more meaningful life. The Seven Hermetic Principles are:

1. The Principle of Mentalism: All is mind, the Universe is mental. The structure of our Universe is thought, mind and consciousness. Consciousness determines the form of our experience. Consciousness is the "theater of perceptual awareness." It is the collective consciousness of humanity that shapes physical reality. We are the Universe made conscious to experience itself. We are mind. We live in a Universe of mind. From photons to galaxies, life is conscious intelligent energy that can form itself into any pattern or function.
 

2. The Principle of Correspondence: As above, so below; as below, so above. Humanity is a microcosm of the macrocosm we call the Universe. Each human being is a hologram of the Cosmos, a weaving together of universal information from a particular point of view. Essentially, we are the Universe experiencing itself in human form.
 

3. The Principle of Vibration: Nothing rests, everything moves, everything vibrates. The Universe is made of vibrational energy. Everything in the Universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest star, has an inherent vibrational pattern. The entire Universe is created through vibration and can be influenced through vibration.
 

4. The Principle of Polarity: Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of complementary opposites; like and unlike are the same. A dual or binary progression underlies the structure of reality. At a fundamental level, the laws of the Universe are written in a binary code. The binary mathematical system forms the basis of computer languages and applies to everything from crystalline structures to the genetic code.
 

5. The Principle of Rhythm: Life is a rhythmic existence. Polarity gave birth to the pulse of life. Pulsation gave birth to time and material form, while the intervals of pulsation remained timeless and formless. All things are born of rhythm and it is rhythm that holds them in form. Rhythm and resonance order the natural world. Dissonance and disharmony arise only when we limit our capacity to resonate totally and completely with the rhythms of life.
 

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect: Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause. Nothing happens by chance. Everything that we see in our world is a result of causes. For every effect in your life there is a specific cause. The intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect).
 

7. The Principle of Gender: Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes. In the Hermetic texts, masculine energy is described as active, projective, expansive and corresponds to spirit. Feminine energy is described as passive, receptive, nurturing and corresponds to matter.

Joseph Rael's Sound Peace Chambers

Joseph Rael, whose Tiwa name, Tsluu teh koy ay, given to him as a child at Picuris Pueblo, means "Beautiful Painted Arrow," is widely regarded as one of the great Native American holy men of our time. He was born in 1935 on the Southern Ute reservation to a chief's granddaughter and a Tiwa-speaking Picuris native. At about age 7, shortly before his mother's death, he went to live in Picuris near Taos, NM, where his visionary powers were developed until, at about age 12, he began to assist the village holy man in curing practices.
 

He was educated both at Santa Fe Indian school and public high school before getting a BA in political science from the University of New Mexico and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For a number of years he worked in various capacities in Indian health and social services in both New Mexico and Colorado.
 

At age 45 he quit his social services job to devote full time to teaching and following his visions wherever they might lead. In 1983 Joseph had the vision to build a Sound Peace chamber, a kiva-like structure where people of all races might gather to chant and sing for world peace and to purify the earth and oceans. He built the first such chamber at his then-home, a trailer park in Bernalillo, NM, and shortly like-minded people began to build Sound Peace chambers in other locations.
 

At present, Sound Peace chambers have been built around the globe. Writes Joseph, "My vision is that through sound we will bring about peace and other important vibrations. Sound can teach us a way to create without destruction." Meanwhile, Joseph began leading ceremonial dances, based on his visions, with participants from all races and nationalities. "When you dance you are expanding the vibrations of insight and manifestation," he writes. "I created three dances -- the long dance, the sun-moon dances and the drum dance -- for these spiritual gifts."
 

Joseph teaches that "Every dance, every ceremony, is both for you and for the cosmos." In 1999, Joseph retired from active leadership of the dances he had begun, turning them over to a new generation of his students. Joseph Rael is the author of a number of books, including Being and Vibration, Sound: Native Teachings and Visionary Art and his autobiography, House of Shattering Light. He is also an artist. His paintings, like his ceremonies and teachings, are based on his visions. They have been called "portal" art, because they open a doorway into alternate dimensions of reality. As a Native American elder, Joseph Rael has spoken before the United Nations and addressed a conference of military officers at the Pentagon on the role of the warrior in the modern world.