Drumming and Meditation

Meditation can be a healthy part of life and is a technique that is encouraged within medical and spiritual circles in order to reduce stress and anxiety and connect to inner thoughts in a relaxing manner. It is the process of eliminating the day to day thoughts that spin through the mind, while allowing the body to rest and rejuvenate, yet remain in the moment, bringing personal understanding and an overall feeling of wellness. Many people find meditation a difficult practice, however, and may ignore its benefits because of the difficulty experienced while trying to remove the worries and concerns of the day. When trying to use meditation to relax, it can be extremely difficult to even begin to wind down in preparation for a solid meditation session. One of the best ways to get into a better frame of mind and be able to let go of the stressors is through music, and drumming, especially.

Using music and drumming during meditation can allow a person to reach a meditative state easier through its natural ability to calm and soothe. The use of drumming is a natural way to encourage the same type of relaxation benefits as meditation itself. The natural rhythms of the body can be matched to the rhythm of drumming, allowing an easy transition from a tense state of mind to a more relaxed state of being. Through the deliberate pace of a Djembe or other drum, whether live or recorded, the body can respond to the rise and fall of the rhythm being played, taking the mind from an active, nervous state to a calmer, more open and relaxed awareness. The repetition involved with drumming a Djembe helps to ease the spiraling thoughts and nervous energy. These techniques can help guide a person from alertness into the relaxed, meditative state needed to facilitate stress and anxiety reduction, as well as help promote the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

For those who may have difficulty attempting meditation, but would be interested in the health and wellness benefits that meditation can encourage, listening to live or recorded drumming can be a big help throughout the process. Drumming is a natural way to promote wellness and relaxation, and combining it with a meditative state can only help increase the benefits of each practice. Introducing meditation and drumming into a routine can be an adventure in quieting thoughts, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting a quieter, more peaceful state of mind.