Drum Journey (Recorded drumming): ~15 minutes
Lower World I am currently in Day 48 of my 50-day initiation. This journey had a specific purpose, which was to consult my compassionate helping spirits who have assisted me on this initiation/internal retreat regarding my upcoming weekend away with my husband Khader. Specifically, I wished to address the restriction of alcohol consumption. This is our only solitary weekend holiday for the year. We are both celebrating graduation from our respective Masters programs. Having a relaxing weekend with no restrictions, would be rejuvenating and, in my view, necessary. (We'd like to have a champagne toast to celebrate, for example.) I visited the CHSes who were all gathered at the Sacred Fire Circle. Fire was burning high as I presented my case. I was concerned that my situation would seem petty. To some extent, even I felt it was; alcohol consumption over the weekend had not occurred to me until today. When I originally told him, Khader was disappointed but understood. I felt bad about disappointing him, but thought it was better to stay true to my practice. Later, I thought that making this adjustment may be a kind gesture for Khader and make our time together feel more connected. In this case, I began to see alcohol as part of the ritual celebration, not a way to escape. I knew that what I was really asking for was a stay of the 50-day agreement or some additional task I could perform to compensate. I received this guidance:
Then, Great Walker began to dance with his drum. I was told to join him. I had to make sure I had space to dance and drum. Lots of it! There were great leaps and swirls around. I felt lost in the drumming and in the feeling of movement. The rest of the journey continued this way until callback. Callback I thanked all the CHSes and returned. Return to Ordinary Reality.
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Drum Journey (Recording): ~15 minutes
Upper World Note: I had a difficult time beginning the journey because I was thinking about the workshop I led the day before: Introduction to Shamanic Journeying. There were five women, all of whom were new to shamanism. After a few minutes, I was able to make it to Upper World. From the moment I arrived, I felt an urgency to see Reeds Blowing. I ran all the way to his tree cave, leaving an offering of wildflower heads surrounding the triangular Taos stone I had brought to the workshop the day before (to use as a "talking stone"). I was distraught, concerned that I had not done the workshop well by spirit standards (!). I felt I had not been able to answer well the challenging questions and comments I got from one workshop attendee: Why power animals? Is there danger in the spirit world? The drum callback sounds threatening to me... Reed Blowing took the stone and blessed it. He smiled and said that I had answered fine; I explained (there is no real danger, only what you may not yet be ready to see) gave examples (I was bitten by a snake on my first journey. Later it was explained this may have been an early dismemberment.), I told her what she needed to know (According to the teachings, there was a time when animals and humans spoke the same language. Journeying is our way to reestablish our connection.). Next time, I could say that "these are the teachings" and leave it at that. As for the threatening callback (which I did not address), I could say that it is a matter of perception. Come, he said, it is time for your drumming lesson. We walked behind his tree and into a clearing at the base of a mountain. There was a large pow-wow drum on the ground. Great Walker stood at one edge. Reeds Blowing stood near him at the drum. I stood opposite Reeds Blowing. We began drumming in unison. Soon, Bell'anna joined us. The sound of the drum was incredible. The vibrations shook the land and air around us. The vibrations turned deep pink and rose in a column to the atmosphere. It surrounded Upper World and encased it in a circle of sound. The vibrations shook us and all around us.I envisioned the cells in my body all moving and re-energizing. The field enveloping UW released and the column went back into the drum, then moved out forcefully into each of the drummers. Once the drumming stopped, I sat on the ground. Great Walker handed me my drum, and told me to drum now. As I did, I saw the vision of the buffalo whose hide covers my drum. He was majestic and black-furred. I saw his watery eyes. He grazed and ambled through the field. I was amazed by his beauty. I then saw his death and the process of his skinning—blood and sinew. I tried to imagine the shift from living to dead, from spirit inhabiting the body to the skin on the wooden worktable, drying. I saw Lee Lujan receiving the skin. Working it. Making this drum. I saw the Cottonwood tree. I moved through its seasons. Buds and leaves and decay and buds again. I saw bugs and birds making homes in it. I saw its bark forming and shedding over the years. I saw it being cut down... Callback I thanked my teachers and returned. Return to Ordinary Reality. 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 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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