Sound Peace

Stress Relief Through Shamanic Drumming

Shamanic Drumming has been used since ancient times for healing and releasing anger as well.  It is also great way to to release stress and frustration.  You can do this by combining drumming, yogic breathing and some vocalizing. 

The next time you come home from work feeling stressed out or angry try this shamanic drumming meditation.  You'll need some kind of frame drum, hand drum and mallet or if you don't have a drum you can just use you hands on your thighs while in a seated position.  Go someplace you will be undisturbed for about 10 to 15 minutes

1. Play a steady 4/4 beat on the drum at a medium tempo.  

2. Next start doing yogic breathing in the following way - take a breath into your belly so you belly rises and then push the air up into your chest so your chest expands. 

3. Then exhale your breath out and let your belly relax and become soft.  Breathe fully and slowly.

4. Start to time your breaths with the rhythm you are playing on the drum.  If you are doing the drum beat at a medium tempo it should feel comfortable to use four beats for the inhale and about 6 for the exhale.  Adjust your breathing and your breath until both the drumming and the breathing feel natural to you.

You might find it works better for you with 6 or 8 beats for the inhale and 8 to 10 beats for exhale. If you find it is more comfortable for make the exhale the same time as the inhales that's fine but if you can make the exhales longer you will find this to be more relaxing.

5. After a few minutes change your exhale so that you are saying the word "HO" with the exhale.  Time it with one of the drum hits.  After you say the word HO keep breathing out until the number of beats for the exhale you have chosen in completed and then start the inhale.  When you say the word HO say it forcibly so the breath is expelled as you say the word.

Make sure to time the breaths so you can exhale completely.  If you feel lightheaded then change the timing of the beats so that you have plenty of time to get all the air out of your lungs before you inhale.

6. As you breathe in imagine you are breathing in healing life force energy and as you breath out imagine all of your stress, frustration and anger  coming out.

7. After you are done spend a few moments with your eyes closed breathing normally and enjoy a serene feeling of inner peace.

— Steve Gordon

Longer Nights, Falling Leaves; the Start of Renewal

With the autumnal equinox, the days become shorter, and the Earth prepares for the season of transition to renewal. Though the winter to follow brings long nights, therein rest the seeds of renewal.

We find inspiration in these images of autumn in the forests of New England - and offer them with music of deep trance drums, native flutes, world instruments, and ancient Lakota and Tibetan shaman chants:

"Wakan Tankan Lila Wankan." Great Spirit, most Sacred... Gratitude leads the Shaman to his animal spirit ally. "Gate Gate Paragate Parasam Gate Bodhi Swaha." Gone, gone beyond, everyone gone completely beyond. Awake, well gone!... Transcending all that is impermanent, the Shaman crosses to spirit consciousness to help relieve all suffering of the earth and its peoples.

The title of the song is South Wind Meeting. This version (the Harvest Mix) appears along with the video on our CD+DVD two disc set, Earth Drum. The full length meditation version of the chant appears along with chants for each of the four seasons and four directions on our album Shaman's Vision Journey.

Studio notes: With this song we combined Lakota and Tibetan chants with the deep trance sounds of African dun dun drums and talking drums, Sioux frame drums, Taos rattles, acoustic guitar, ambient electric guitar and specially created drone sounds. The imagery of nature environments in the fall season help to convey the sense of the sacred and eternal within us.

Walk in Balance,
David Gordon

How to do a Drum Meditation

Just as with silent meditation, the goal is to clear your mind and connect with the earth and yourself, to feel whole and peaceful. But unlike with silent meditation where you withdraw your senses from the external world, with drum meditation, instead you make the sound of the drum, the feel of the drum, and the movement of playing the drum the focus of your mind.

To begin close your eyes and play a simple steady beat. There is no mantra. The sound of the drum is the mantra. If you find yourself drifting off into thoughts then gently lead your mind back to the sound of the drum and the feeling of playing it. As you feel the meditation deepening you can add rhythms you feel guided to play. Your heartbeat will connect you to the rhythm.

The more time you spend the more you will feel connected and serene. When your feel ready, slowly open your eyes and do a little stretching. Notice the sense of renewal and rejuvenation you feel.

Drum Meditation is a great way to:

• Access your own creative spirit
• Reduce stress
• Increase personal power
• Improve concentration and focus
• Get out of your head and into your body
• Stimulate creativity
• Cultivate joy
• Create more peace of mind

Drumming has been used for thousands of years to heal and empower. For people nowadays it can be an easy way to unwind and connect with inner balance and joy.