Feeling Good

There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill

I very recently obtained a Native American style flute made by Dennis Frederiksen of NZT Designs that has very quickly become a pleasing and relaxing way of centering myself and reconnecting with my source. The particular flute that found its way to me, was constructed from the combination of a large piece of river cane and a block of cedar. The cedar makes up the portion of the flute from which the sound emanates. This combination creates an extremely pleasing sound that I believe rivals many flutes constructed entirely of wood. As an added bonus, the flute that chose me, features what is often referred to as a “loon’s head” cut into the end of the instrument.

After receiving the flute, I wrote back to Dennis to tell him how pleased I was with the sound. He shared that “…the cedar nest was an idea I had a few years back. In [the] Cherokee [tradition], the cedar tree is a representation of the creator. It stays green to remind us he is always here around us. The fragrant smell is his breath. The cedar block on my flutes, I feel may be the creator’s voice and song.”

Cedar was actually used across many Native American tribes for a variety of reasons including both ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Cedar is considered a spiritual kin to sage and sweet grass and is very often used for smudging (a ritual cleansing or purification).

As I’ve begun the process of learning to play, I’ve purposefully tried to hear not only the beautiful musical tones created by this instrument, but also that little bit of the Creator’s voice that I believe is present in every musical instrument. If you’ve never heard a Native American flute, I would highly recommend that you seek out some examples of this awe inspiring sound. It’s peaceful, restful and a joy to listen to.

And, who knows, you may just hear more than you expect.

Life is the Sacred Mystery singing to itself,
dancing to its drum, telling stories, improvising, playing.
And we are all that Spirit,
our stories tell but one cosmic story that we are love indeed, that perfect love in me seeks the love in you
and if our eyes could ever meet without fear
we would recognize each other and rejoice,
for love is life believing in itself. -Except From Manitongquat’s Prayer

The shaman can reach the altered state of consciousness necessary to perform his or her spiritual work through the use of repetitive motions or sounds such as a drum beat, the use of a shaker, or dancing, just to mention a few.  Of these methods, the drum seems to be a particularly powerful method for facilitating the shamanic journey.

During the workshop on core shamanism put on by the Foundation for Shamanic Studies that I recently attended, the use of the drum was the method of choice for learning to take our own journeys.  Following some introductory information, we began our time together by drumming (a few had shakers) in a constant rapid rhythm.  I closed my eyes and within moments I could feel my muscles relaxing.  This rhythmic repetition was, and is, quite hypnotic.  Everyone in attendance applied his or her own forcefulness to their respective implements.  I personally found I rather enjoyed putting a bit of “umph” behind each strike!  When we concluded this particular session at the end of the 10 or 15 minutes, I opened my eyes and took an inventory of how I felt.  Basically, it was a bit like having had a “power nap”.  I felt refreshed and calm.

All of our journeys during the two day workshop were aided by this rhythmic drumming though it’s common that a helper does the actual drumming for the journey.  It’s very easy to understand why this approach to inducing the altered state of consciousness is so popular and widely used as it seems to not only aid in making the journey, but it’s actually quite a bit of fun.  Think about how much fun children have banging away on almost any type of surface that’s percussive in nature!  I am personally convinced that as children we have a much greater connection to the unseen and are often taught to turn away from that connection as we mature.  I further believe that reestablishing those child-like tendencies can have a significant impact on how we experience our physical existence.

I’ll continue discussing the activities of our workshop in future posts so stay tuned.  The “Animal Dance” is up next!

I’ve once again been tagged by Vickie at Contemplate This in the latest game going around the Law of Attraction blogosphere where each tagged individual makes a post on “Songs that make your heart sing”.

It seems that most people are choosing one song but I’m going to break with tradition and choose two:

First, a song that I’ve known of for some time but not many people I come across have heard it. I love what it has to say about our “mistakes”. It was written and recorded by David Wilcox.

Leave it like it is

Now when the paint jar tipped
Off of the table
You watched as it started to fall
Glass popped, shattered and splattered
And paint spray hit the wall

Bright, blue glossy enamel
Across the kitchen floor
You said, “Good God, look at that pattern
I’ve never seen that before”

Leave it like it is
Never mind the turpentine
Leave it like it is
Its fine

Now when the paint dried
You gave it a title
You called it “Kitchen Blue”
A white frame painted around it
And gallery lighting too

Rich folks come over to dinner
They all want one of their own
They say “How much? Who’s the artist”
And, “My what a beautiful home”

Leave it like it is
Never mind the turpentine
Leave it like it is
Its fine

Now most folks suffer in sorrow
Thinking they’re just no good
They don’t match the magazine model
As close as they think they should

They live just like the “paint by numbers”
The teacher would be impressed
A life-time of follow the lines
So it’s just like all of the rest

Leave it like it is
Never mind the turpentine
Leave it like it is
Its fine

For my second choice, I am going to select a song that, if you’ve watched much television at all during the last few years, you have no doubt at least heard the opening. It’s called “Somewhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful world” recorded by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole.

Somewhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful world

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops is where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to, oh why, oh why can’t I?
Well I see trees of green and Red roses too,
I’ll watch then bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark and I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying, I…I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They’ll learn much more than
We’ll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Someday I’ll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops is where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dreams that you dare to, … why, oh why can’t I

Well those are my choices, so on the game goes…

• Lor at Lor’s Blog
• Susan at Sanctuary for Change
• Julie at The Truth of You