Drumming, Journeying and Transfiguration - F.A.Q.s
Karen facilitates ongoing drumming, journeying and transfiguration groups. These groups include participants committed to planetary healing and come together to share in the healing process of transfiguration.
In Kingman AZ - Meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays @ Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Center, 701 N. Stockton Hill Rd. Ste K-2
In Flagstaff AZ- Meets every 2nd Thursday at 6:00 pm at Knoles Village, A-6, 4th Street
If you would like to be on a reminder list for either of these gatherings,
What is "Journeying" and how does one do that? The shamanic journey is a process whereby shamans have accessed non-ordinary reality in order to gain insight and information for themselves, another person, or the community. Shamanism is the oldest spirituality of humankind and dates back at least 80,000 years, if not longer. Today, shamanism is experiencing a re-generation that is connecting people with the Web of Life in a renewed understanding of our relationship to and with the planet. Shamanic journey is not difficult to learn. The basics can be taught in a very short amount of time.
What is Transfiguration? In her book "Medicine for the Earth", Sandra Ingerman teaches that "In the process of transfiguration we must raise our vibration higher than the vibration we embrace in the material world... By transfiguring... we can bring through the luminosity needed for the transmutation of pollution in our world." It is a process for simply letting go of all that keeps us from experiencing that divinity within.
How do you transfigure? Entering into a transfigured state involves simply de-focusing our attention on the external world and allowing our awareness to remember our true selves as radiant luminous spirits. We use drumming to create the space for our transfiguring work and move into a deeper (or more expanded" sense of divine presence. We also use Toning to help achieve that awareness. It is not a trance state, although when transfiguring, participants have reported feeling they were "beyond" their ordinary experience of themselves.
What is Toning? Toning is creating one note with the voice, using any vowel, and holding that one note throughout a breath cycle. So you just open your mouth and let a note come forth. It is not an endurance contest and when you run out of breath, you simply inhale and continue the note. With a sizable group, some people harmonize and the sound itself is beautiful. Toning focuses energy into the pineal gland, expanding the 3rd eye. Itis a wonderful exercise in and of itself, especially out in nature.
Is there open-style drumming? To prepare for the journeying and transfiguration experience, we use drumming that is a constant beat - 4-7 beats per second. This is the same beat shamans throughout time have used in their practice. It has been determined that this beat helps the listener move from an alpha to theta state rather quickly and assists us in preparing to transfigure. So we do a prolonged drumming at the beginning of the evening. the drumming is a lot of fun, and is relaxing and soothing. Sometimes people also sing as they drum, dance around the center altar, or simply stay in one place and let the drum beat lift away all the stress and muck of the day.
What do I need to bring? If you have a frame or hand drum, bring it. Some people prefer to use a rattle or click sticks. If you don't have a drum or rattle, let Karen know you are coming to the group and she will bring an extra drum. People who do not have their own drum usually end up getting one eventually... Also, some people prefer sitting on the floor and bring a cushion or blanket. In the center altar, we place items that we want infused with healing energy. People have brought everything from jewelry to potting soil. It is important though to remember to gather your items up after the ceremony. When we do journey work, or imaging, some people like to have an eye covering so a bandana or eye shade is good.
