Drum Journey (Recording): ~15 minutes
Lower World The purpose of this journey was to receive a drumming teaching, but also to request guidance about the shamanic journeying workshop I am leading in two days. I went to the Sacred Fire Circle, where all the CHSes were gathered. I asked for any advice about what I should include in the workshop. Grandmother stood and said: Ancestors. It is important for those who journey to know that the ancestors are there. There are the ancestors of blood lineage and there are spirit ancestors of life incarnations. Bell'anna stood and opened her robe to reveal the universe. She said: Connection and communication. We are all connected to the universe. We communicate with all that is within it, was within it, and all that ever will be. Journey with this knowledge and purpose. Reeds Blowing stood and said: Nature. Plant life speaks to us constantly. Animals as well. Journey to hear what plants and animals want to share with us. Rekindle the communication with them. Return home to them in the journeys you make. I turned to Great Walker for his teaching on the drum. Suddenly, I was transported to a large field where I was drumming and dancing energetically, wearing a white scarf. This scarf represented both Reeds Blowing's white deerskin cape and Great Walker's white beads. I felt the message that I would wear the white scarf (or have it nearby) when I give the workshop to keep these teachers with me. As I danced and drummed, I head Great Walker tell me that I should consider the other not as the other. This means, hold the person for whom you are drumming as part of yourself, part of the great web of life. The healing drum energy moves out into the atmosphere and knows where to land. It does not know the object-beings as separate. They are connected. Therefore, when drumming, consider the other not as the other but as one of everything, including the drum, the drummer, and the beat. Callback I thanked the CHSes and returned. Return to Ordinary Reality
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Drum Journey (Recording): ~15 minutes
Upper World I was called to the Hall of Knowledge. When I entered the library, the ornate room full of books, tables, and reading chairs changed into an Algonquin longhouse. At one end, I saw Great Walker making a drum. This will be your final project after the initiation. You will make your own drum. I asked what it should be made of. Deer, likely. There are many where you live and you are connected to them. They can carry you on your journeys. "What kind of wood?" I asked. Maple, cedar... That is not as important as every tree is connected to you and you to it. I asked what my lesson was for this visit. Great Walker moved a long table that was in the center of the longhouse. Underneath it was a long pit for fires. He lit it and told me that today I would learn the foot movements for drumming. When moving around a circle, the steps are:
When standing still, the steps are:
Next, Great Walker told me that the beads for the necklace will come. I am to make a necklace that will be worn during ceremonies. The beads must be white and made of either stone, clay, or deer bone. Finally, Great Walker told me that I was invited to merge with him when drumming for others' journeys if I wish. It may be helpful especially at the beginning. I could call him before the merge by playing the heartbeat rhythm on the drum. I asked if I could merge with him now so that I could feel what it was like. He agreed. When I merged, I immediately felt power in my muscles. As we drummed, I felt a clear connection between the drum and my/his/our heart. The heart seemed to resonate with each beat, triangulating the drummer, the drum and the heart. I also felt Great Walker's old-body, like scars of a human form that were distant and infused with spirit energy. We drummed together for some time. Callback I disengaged and thanked Great Walker before returning. Return to Ordinary Reality Drum Journey (Recording): ~15 minutes
Upper World I realized when I arrived that I had not really formulated a question to ask. I sat for a moment at the beginning of the path leading to the Hall of Knowledge. I felt a pull to go inside, which I did. I entered a long library and went right to the top shelf where there were many volumes of Questions. These were all the questions I would ever ask in my life. I opened to the page I needed, then received the question: "How should I teach shamanic journeying in the upcoming workshop I am facilitating?" I left the Hall of Knowledge and went to see Reeds Blowing. I gathered a bouquet of wild flowers as an offering, as I usually do. As I walked, I wondered if this was disrespectful to the flowers. Then I received the message that they never die. In fact, Reeds Blowing uses them—still in bloom—to line the walls of the tree cave. Reeds Blowing greeted me at the entrance to the cave with a warm hug. I asked him my question. He led me deep into the cave, where we walked and talked. He told me: Remind those who journey that spirits are always with them. The journey is a chance to meet to receive guidance and information and healing. We will not be troubled or angered if they do not come; we are here all the time anyway. We welcome the visit and are here to assist when needed. When they first journey, they may be guided by a helping spirit that will take them to Upper or Lower World. This may or may not be a spirit that is theirs alone; be sure to ask. We sat opposite each other and held hands so that I could merge with some of his energy. He reminded me that I am about to begin my drum initiation. I was told that I will be giving up much, but will emerge stronger. One of the items is tobacco. Reeds Blowing told me, You will only use tobacco as an offering during your drum initiation. We spent the rest of the journey in silence. I allowed the sounds of the drum to move through me. Callback I thanked Reeds Blowing and The Hall of Knowledge. Return to Ordinary Reality |
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