The drum

When you feel lonely, confused, insecure, unsettled, sad, angry, hurt or do not know what to do next, take the drum and play it.

by Suzette “Medicine Drum” — 

The drum is one of the most ancient musical instruments and the most important tool of the Shaman. It is used for meditating, healing, grounding, journeying, centering and dancing. It protects, expands one’s consciousness, cleanses people and dwellings of negative energies, and invokes guides and spirits.

The reason the drum has such a vital importance in healing work is that its deep, earthy sound represents the heartbeat, the life-force — the heartbeat of Mother Earth — the loving, always-giving, nourishing, nurturing, life-giving, abundant Mother Earth. As we long for these qualities in ourselves, the drum’s sound brings us deep into the womb of the Mother, making us feel safe, nurtured, loved and at peace.

The heartbeat is strong, and it connects all of life. The heartbeat, in its essence, is the heartbeat of All There Is; there is no separation. We all have the same heartbeat: the trees, rocks, fish, birds, animals, humans, stars, planets and the universe. And with every single beat of the drum, we connect to this heartbeat.

When you feel lonely, confused, insecure, unsettled, sad, angry, hurt or do not know what to do next, take the drum and play it. It will connect you to the heartbeat, and you will know.

Suzette “Medicine Drum” is a master shamanic drummer, healer and teacher of the drum. She also uses the drum to facilitate communication and is a professional tour guide, organizing daily tours, overnight trips and extensive shamanic retreats to the power places of Northern Arizona. 602-277-1924 or [email protected].

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 25, Number 1, February/March 2006.