The Shamanic Drum: A Guide
to Sacred Drumming by Michael Drake
Shamanic
drumming is an ancient approach that uses rhythm as a vehicle for
healing, consciousness expansion, and community building. Trained
in the Mongolian shamanic tradition, Michael presents the first
practical guide to applying this ancient healing art to our modern
lives. Included are step-by-step exercises and chapters on sacred
drumming, journeying, power practice, and healing the earth.
Whether you are an accomplished percussionist or a total beginner,
this user-friendly book will help you utilize the healing power of
drumming. Recent studies demonstrate that drumming is a valuable
treatment for stress, chronic pain, cancer, stroke, trauma,
addictions, mental illness, emotional disorders and a wide range of
physical disabilities. The therapeutic effects include relaxation,
healing, more energy, greater mental clarity, enhanced creativity
and deeper self-awareness.
Reviews:
"This book is a
valuable, well-researched, and well-written treatment of all
aspects of shamanic drumming. The author weaves together both
ancient and modern lore, from oral shamanic chants to modern
physics and biology, along with personal experiences to illuminate
the practice of sacred drumming. Included are step-by-step
exercises, analysis of different beats and tempos, and chapters on
cosmology, journeying, power practice, and healing the earth.
Recommended to anyone seeking to connect deeply with the drum as a
tool for personal, interpersonal, or group spiritual and healing
work."
--Nowick Gray, Alternative Culture
Magazine
"The Shamanic Drum expresses things as they are and it's
indeed true that the drum and the proper ceremonies are the way in
which we balance and harmonize the energies of the Earth, its
creatures, and our relationship with all realms."
--Dhyani Ywahoo, Cherokee teacher
and author of Voices
of Our Ancestors: Cherokee Teachings From the Wisdom
Fire.
"A clear and practical
work."
--Julia Cameron, author of
The Vein of Gold
and The Artist's
Way.
"Wonderful,
easy to read, in-depth, step-by-step guide to journeying. Michael
Drake has written a sensible guide to taking a traditional shamanic
journey with measured drum beats to an alternate reality where,
with practice, one can meet one's spirit/animal guide. He describes
with obvious deep knowledge how to use and care for a drum that
will act as both a vehicle to journey and as a healing tool. I got
the impression from reading The Shamanic Drum: a Guide to Sacred
Drumming that the author genuinely loves his relationship with
sacred drumming and wants to share this timeless knowledge. His
methods are completely safe. He states what I've found to be true:
one always has one foot in this world as he/she journeys to another
and can 'return' as soon as one wishes."
--Yana Murphy Amazon Reviews
"In The
Shamanic Drum, Michael Drake takes the reader on a journey from
humankind's earliest of times to the most modern findings of
science to explore the connections and power of drumming and
shamanism. At the same time factual and intuitively revealing,
Drake allows the reader to become comfortable with concepts that
may be foreign and even esoteric in an easy, understandable manner.
Drake has provided a textbook on shamanic drumming that should be
an enduring classic."
--Jim PathFinder
Ewing, author of Reiki
Shamanism.
"Apprenticeship would be the ideal way to
learn shamanic drumming, however most of us will never be fortunate
enough to have this experience. This book is definitely the next
best thing."
--Lisa
DiPlacido, review editor for Friend's Review.
"Beautiful
Imagery. I thoroughly enjoyed the imagery presented in this book.
The journeys of the soul were mesmerizing. The guidance for
drumming was most useful. The songs presented were short, easy to
remember, and inspiring."
--Monarch Amazon Reviews
"I highly
recommend this book to anyone interested in the practice of
Shamanic drumming. Lots of information, easy to read. Thank you Mr.
Drake."
--Cindy (Drumheart)
Green
"I enjoyed
this short book and found the instructions short, simple and
practical and perfect for the novice wanting to experiment with
drumming for journeying as there is nothing complicated here.
Again, these are brief instructions so don't expect any deep
explanations about how to drum or the lore and spirituality
surrounding drumming. I purchased the Kindle e-book version since I
wanted to read it right away and the price is reasonable. This is
more in the neo-shamanism vein. The author incorporates cross
cultural beliefs and practices into this book. Along with the
drumming instruction the author recounts some of his own journeys.
He writes briefly about conducting a drumming circle. Overall I
enjoyed this book and thought it was a nice drumming intro for
novices."
--Kavanava Amazon Reviews
"Drake demonstrates the use of the drum to
achieve a mental state beyond the realm of normal experience.
Drumming, in essence, becomes the window to beyond and a mirror of
within."
--Michael
Dawson, editor of Moving Words.
Preview & search the full text of The Shamanic Drum.
Download Now From Lulu.com--Ebook, Universal EPUB format for Adobe Digital Editions, Stanza, iPad, Sony Reader, Blackberry, iPhone, and other eBook Readers, 2009 Revised Edition, $5.95. Sale Price: $4.76.
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The Shamanic
Drum Instructional Recording by Michael
Drake.
On this companion recording to the book, Michael Drake instructs the listener in playing ten ceremonial drum rhythms, including those for invoking the seven directions. A 30-minute ceremonial drumming is also performed, which listeners may use for training and journeywork. The recording can be used independently or as an integral companion to the book.
Reviews:
"A very fine
piece of work. What Drake has put together is unique and fills an
important need for all those folks discovering the magic of
drumming."
--Dennis
Carpenter, editor of Circle
Magazine.
"If you have
just made or purchased a frame/medicine drum or already own a drum
this is a fantastic CD to expand your knowledge around drumming and
increase your enjoyment of playing. Michael is very clear in his
instructions, his drum sounds wonderful, which increases your
motivation and desire to learn. He makes it very easy to learn and
play along with his drumming. It is also good to play this CD while
you are doing other things as the rhythms stay in your mind. I
highly recommend this CD and I hope he makes more. It has helped me
form a wonderful connection with my drum and we both love playing
the new rhythms I have learnt; they allow one to move more quickly
and easily into a trance state and connect with spirit."
--FlairforLife Amazon Reviews
"Excellent.
I'm new to Shamanic Drumming so this recording was an excellent
resource. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the
subject."
--J. Spencer Amazon Reviews
Download The Shamanic Drum Instructional at Amazon.com--mp3 download, 60 min., $8.99.
Buy Now From Amazon--The Shamanic Drum
Instructional, Audio CD, 60 minutes, $11.88.
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