Drumming has been used in many indigenous cultures as a way of communicating,
Healing,
Holding ceremony and also to go on journeys deep into our inner landscape.
You can use this CD for relaxation,
Meditation,
Journeying or to support your own healing practice.
In shamanic drumming the monotonous beat of 47 cycles per second creates a change in consciousness from the awake alpha state to the dream awake alpha theatre state.
Unlike daydreaming,
The dream awake state is more akin to the twilight space just before you are fully awake,
Where you are aware of all going on around you,
But you are still dreaming.
When you are ready to start a meditation or journey,
Make sure you have some time where you will be undisturbed.
You can open sacred space before you start and then make yourself comfortable for your journey.
You can lie down or sit upright,
Whichever is your preference.
Not too comfortable though,
As there is a difference between dreaming and journeying.
It will also be best to use earphones for your journeys and please do not listen to the CD when driving.
You can use an eye mask or a bandana if the space is too bright.
So now that you are all set up to start a journey,
You might ask,
What happens during a journey?
Well,
Before we get to the content of journey work,
Let's look at a few important cues that you will hear during the drumming.
When the track starts,
You will hear four sets of four slow beats,
Like this.
Use this time to focus on and repeat your intention for your journey with each set,
So four times.
The clearer the intention,
The clearer the journey.
After the 4x4 beats,
The drumming will start and continue for 15 or 30 minutes,
Depending on the track you chose.
Near the end of the drumming session,
The beat will change slightly to a softer beat and eventually phase out.
This will be followed by the slow 4x4 beats again.
Use this time to thank the landscape,
Your allies,
Guides or power animals who accompanied you on your journey and say your goodbyes.
You will then hear the callback signal,
A whistle which sounds like this.
This indicates to you that it's time to return to the present time and surroundings.
Open your eyes and take a deep breath and have a good stretch,
Welcoming you back into the present.
If you are new to shamanic journeying,
Just focus on the beat of the drum and let any emotions,
Sounds,
Images or inner knowing come up and unfold throughout the journey.
If you find that your thoughts wander off,
Just gently bring your attention back to the beat of the drum and to your intention.
If you find that the inner critic jumps into your journey with,
You are just making this up,
Or this is just your imagination,
The best advice I've been given is,
Just agree with it and continue with your journey.
There is no value in getting into a discussion with the inner critic as to whether you are making it up or not,
And then miss out on important insights and teachings.
It is also important to note that there is no right or wrong way to do a shamanic journey,
There is only your way.
In your everyday life,
You might be more visual,
Auditory or more of a feeling person,
And the same may apply in your journeys.
You are unique and your journeys are unique to you.
So allow whatever senses are strongest in your journeys and you might find that your other senses will develop more as you get more practice at journeying.
So where is it that we are journeying to?
Michael Harner has coined the term of non-ordinary reality.
In the Celtic traditions it is called the Otherworld,
And the Averigines call it the Dreamtime.
From a psycho-spiritual perspective,
We journey into our inner landscape.
So whatever your belief or live view,
The drum does not ask you to change any of it,
It invites you to open up to the possibility of you and to have a deeper experience of yourself and what you believe in.
If you like,
You can have a mini experience of what a shamanic journey might be like for you by listening to the guided meditation on track 2.
There will be no external guidance during a shamanic journey,
Apart from the beat of the drum.
But if you are new to shamanic journeying,
The guided meditation could be a good exercise to give you a small taster of how you might experience a shamanic journey,
Which of your senses are stronger,
And what it feels like to be in the Otherworld.
Take some time after your journey to write down what happened and the teachings that you received.
Reflect on the symbols,
Gifts and messages and how it relates to your intention and to your life at this time.
I'm wishing you well on your journey,
In this world and the Otherworld.
May you walk in beauty.
