Meditation with Drums or Instruments

[Seekerofsolace]

I thought about this while trying to take a nap before work yesterday and wanted to try it out. While listening to "Iheartradio" I turned to a radio station of "World Drumming." I know enough about meditation to try and focus without letting my mind wander. I tried to focus on the drum beats. When wanting to use drums etc...is it okay to just listen or are you to actually play the instrument? I know Thunderbow carries a flute...do you use this to meditate? Do you have any tips for keeping your mind focused etc? I end up falling asleep alot while meditating . Any resources on the subject are appreciated.

[Thunder Bow]

I also have a Piute hand drum. The drum beat is best for shamanic journeys. I have used the drum at Spirit Mountain when I taken others up there for their journeys. I only use my flute to irritate the spirits lol.

I personally play the drum for my self only for prayer. For meditation, try guided meditation CDs at first. Some have drums, others are just music. A guided vocal meditation CD with or with out a drum beat can keep you focused.

Lying down leads to sleeping, but use a position you feel most comfortable with. If you are not getting enough sleep at night, you will fall asleep during any meditation.

A friend of mine who is studying the connections between rhythmic sound and the effects on the brain could attest to the powers that rhythmic sound has on one's ability to meditate more deeply. She can put it oh-so much more eloquently ... if she were online here!

I think there can be different outcomes from listening to drum rhythms and actually sounding the drum or other percussive instrument yourself.

The Drum him/her self carries a spirit, or energy, which is released when sounded or sung with. And I have asked the Drum's energy to help me meditate.

I've had the honour only twice so far in my life where I've drummed and sang and went into another mental space/reality, and I have heard a 3rd sound come, like a human voice, from the Drum, which was different from the sound of the reverberating hide on the frame. Very beautiful and mystical. It's not something I can do at will, though. Although I think more experienced/apprenticed healers and singers can.

Enjoy the healing rhythms!

[Star Wolf Medicine Woman]

I agree, I can listen to the drum and meditate, but not if I am the one drumming... Because I need to concentrate on what I am doing initially...I use the drum for healing as well..