Yesterday I experienced the world as it can be, a paradise for humanity. There were crowds of happy people, dancing and singing and enjoying the outdoors. People of all ages, religions and ethnic backgrounds joined together as equals and enjoyed each other’s company. The environment was peaceful, joyous and friendly. While everyone at the event was different, the differences were honored and appreciated.
The event that I attended was the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, held at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Canada. At each end of the park were stages, and all weekend different drumming groups got on stage and played. The sound was exhilarating, and the crowds were dancing as the drumbeats shook the park.
There were many different styles of drumming, each associated with cultural backgrounds. Drumming groups from the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa, China, India and Japan each played on stage, and each set was unique. Even the styles of drums were different, ranging from the two-handed African djembe to the Brazilian alfaia, a deep bass drum played with wooden batons. There were even people adding to the sound by banging sticks together.
The upbeat sound of drumming crosses all cultural barriers, bringing people together from different backgrounds. It was glorious. On the field of Queen’s Park was proof that all cultures can live together, sharing songs and rhythms. Our similarity as humans outweighed our differences as individuals, and it was possible to see the light emanated by each person. In the large crowd everyone was smiling.
There were many children at the gathering, and numerous youth groups playing on stage. Many instructors have used drumming to assist youth in personal growth, teaching both self-confidence and group participation. At one point, there were almost fifty children on stage, ranging in age from eight to twelve years old. They played as one, and the joy on their faces reflected the positive influence that drumming has on their lives.
Drumming has been with mankind since our early beginnings, and it is powerful for many reasons. The sound of drumming vibrates through each body, providing a rhythm that heals. The action of hitting the drum releases energy in a very positive way. The unity required to create a rhythmic sound foregoes ego, and yet each individual shines.
After the event, participants went back to their regular lives. Each individual has daily issues to attend, stresses to bear and challenges to meet. However, for a brief moment of time in Toronto, we experienced paradise. There was happy joyous unity among all, supported by the beat of drums. We have always known the power of drumming, and it can help us progress towards the peace that we deserve.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Upcoming Harmonic Reiki Drum Circle in Toronto
On the last Sunday of each month we will be meeting at Kew Beach, on the Toronto Lakeshore. From the intersection of Queen and Woodbine, go a couple of blocks south to the boardwalk on the beach. Walk east along the boardwalk, and as you pass the large swimming pool building, we are near the tree at the southeast corner. Look for people with drums!
Next meeting: Sunday, May 27, 2 - 4 p.m.
Join us at the beach, rain or shine.
Bring your friends, bring your drums, and get ready for some fun.
Next meeting: Sunday, May 27, 2 - 4 p.m.
Join us at the beach, rain or shine.
Bring your friends, bring your drums, and get ready for some fun.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Drummer Boy
You and I march to the beat of a different drum; pa rum pa pum pum. So go the lines in common songs, a recognition that each individual carries a different rhythm and vibration. But in the history of humanity, drumming has been a uniting force for many different groups.
This year, my web page with the fastest growing number of visitors is Harmonic Reiki Drumming. With new keywords entering the consciousness, each day people use search engines to find my site. On these pages people find detailed descriptions of reiki drumming techniques, and information about starting their own Harmonic Reiki Drumming Circle. I have prepared a manual to help those wishing to initiate circles, and the process has begun. From the rocky mountains of Banff to the dry desert of Nevada, drums are vibrating.
As more circles form, people pick up drums and sound their rhythm, uniting energetically with other drummers while still remaining unique. As civilization shifts and we move towards life in smaller tribal communities, drumming becomes common practice. When the peaceful and harmonizing sound of drumming resonates in all corners of the world, our planet shall thrive. It all began a few years ago when I visited a shaman in the mountains of Tennessee. There among the echoing hills I first learned about the power of drumming, and felt the communal bond it created. I was also very aware of my own change as the vibrations altered my body.
One of my most memorable experiences involved a table drum, which was about five feet in diameter and the height of a coffee table. As I lay on a mat on the floor, the drum was placed over me. The shaman then played the drum for over an hour. At first, the heavy drumbeats were disturbing. The force of sound attacked my body, and with the first beat I could feel my chest vibrate. However as I relaxed into the sound, my body began to vibrate with the rhythm of the drum. Soon I drifted into a deep meditative state, not asleep but not fully conscious. Like being in a dream, the pulsating sound took me on a journey through forests. In the meantime, without thoughts to drive tension, every muscle in my body relaxed. Any muscles that resisted were shook loose by the drumbeat.
Once I had felt the power of reiki energy delivered through a drum, I began to experiment with techniques. A small group formed, and we tried many different drums and sound instruments, along with various methods of play. Eventually we moved towards a method that seemed to create the strongest energetic vortex, a method that allowed everyone to participate regardless of musical background.
From the ancient Druids to the North American aboriginals, drums were used to encourage group bonding. From the marching soldiers of armies at war to the marching bands supporting their team, drums are used to motivate and energize. By combining the power of drumming with the power of reiki, a peaceful energy wave is created that can change the world. We have only just begun.
© Glenn Stewart Coles 2007
This year, my web page with the fastest growing number of visitors is Harmonic Reiki Drumming. With new keywords entering the consciousness, each day people use search engines to find my site. On these pages people find detailed descriptions of reiki drumming techniques, and information about starting their own Harmonic Reiki Drumming Circle. I have prepared a manual to help those wishing to initiate circles, and the process has begun. From the rocky mountains of Banff to the dry desert of Nevada, drums are vibrating.
As more circles form, people pick up drums and sound their rhythm, uniting energetically with other drummers while still remaining unique. As civilization shifts and we move towards life in smaller tribal communities, drumming becomes common practice. When the peaceful and harmonizing sound of drumming resonates in all corners of the world, our planet shall thrive. It all began a few years ago when I visited a shaman in the mountains of Tennessee. There among the echoing hills I first learned about the power of drumming, and felt the communal bond it created. I was also very aware of my own change as the vibrations altered my body.
One of my most memorable experiences involved a table drum, which was about five feet in diameter and the height of a coffee table. As I lay on a mat on the floor, the drum was placed over me. The shaman then played the drum for over an hour. At first, the heavy drumbeats were disturbing. The force of sound attacked my body, and with the first beat I could feel my chest vibrate. However as I relaxed into the sound, my body began to vibrate with the rhythm of the drum. Soon I drifted into a deep meditative state, not asleep but not fully conscious. Like being in a dream, the pulsating sound took me on a journey through forests. In the meantime, without thoughts to drive tension, every muscle in my body relaxed. Any muscles that resisted were shook loose by the drumbeat.
Once I had felt the power of reiki energy delivered through a drum, I began to experiment with techniques. A small group formed, and we tried many different drums and sound instruments, along with various methods of play. Eventually we moved towards a method that seemed to create the strongest energetic vortex, a method that allowed everyone to participate regardless of musical background.
From the ancient Druids to the North American aboriginals, drums were used to encourage group bonding. From the marching soldiers of armies at war to the marching bands supporting their team, drums are used to motivate and energize. By combining the power of drumming with the power of reiki, a peaceful energy wave is created that can change the world. We have only just begun.
© Glenn Stewart Coles 2007
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