The Shamanic Drum: A Guide to Sacred Drumming

Michael Drake

Apr 2010 · Talking Drum Publications

About this ebook

Shamanic drumming is an ancient approach that uses rhythm to promote healing and self-expression. Based on his studies and personal shamanic experience, Michael presents the first practical guide to applying this ancient healing art to our modern lives. Through a series of simple exercises and lessons, he teaches the basic shamanic methods of drumming. The focus is on creating sacred space, journeying, power practice, power animals, drum therapy, drum circles and the therapeutic effects of drumming. Whether you are an accomplished percussionist or a total beginner, this user-friendly book will help you harness the 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 benefits include relaxation, healing, more energy, greater mental clarity, enhanced creativity and deeper self-awareness.

Ratings and 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, 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 "Hurray! The book is great. I'm sharing it at my drumming workshops and have it on my resource list." --Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Woman Comes Singing. "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 Finding Sanctuary in Nature: Simple Ceremonies in the Native American Tradition for Healing Yourself and Others

I found confirmation to many of my intuitions, I love the way He explains so deep topics. Grazie Michael ho trovato molte risposte ai miei interrogativi sul legame tra gli esseri viventi e il resto dell'Universo

About the author

Michael Drake is an internationally respected writer and recording artist. He is the author of The Shamanic Drum: A Guide to Sacred Drumming, Shamanic Drumming: Calling the Spirits, I Ching: The Tao of Drumming, Shamanic Drumming Circles Guide and The Great Shift. His musical albums include Shamanic Journey Drumming, Power Animal Drumming and Shaman's Drums. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Awareness, Sacred Hoop, and Mother Earth News.