Drumming For The Root Chakra

For the past two months I have been drumming nearly every night. How did this come to pass?

I had never drummed before. I started playing the violin at the age of ten and dabbled with the guitar once in a while. I am by nature a perfectionist and so I had to learn the violin to perfection. When I could not be as great as the famous violinists before me, I got frustrated. Soon I let it all go and concentrated on school. From one degree to another I focused, excelled and graduated. I was always the best at everything and it was always a personal challenge to stay on top of my game. The competition in me was not against other people. No, instead I was always competing with myself. I never knew that it would be impossible to be satiated from the constant need to be better, do better, be more.

On my journey to end this competition with myself I met a very dear friend who showed me laughter, kindness and a free spirit. I learned in this time that I was not a grounded person. This refers to the seven chakras that are found in our bodies. These chakras can get blocked and we can suffer various ailments as a result. I had always been very much in my crown chakra, which is the very highest chakra and is said to be our connection to spirituality and the divine. It is located at the top of the head. I have always been very much in my own mind and it causes a feeling of not being connected to the earth below. Constantly thinking, writing and daydreaming. I didn't realize that I was not serving my root chakra and that perhaps there was a blockage there. The root chakra is located at the base of the spine and is connected to our need to survive. It is very primal and if blocked can lead to anxiety and depression. I was never very grounded.

One day, a Goddess sister of mine showed me her new Djembe drum. She asked me to play with her and at first I was stunned. I had never played the drum before and had not a clue how to begin. She could sense my discomfort and yet she insisted that I at least try. I held the drum as though it were as delicate as glass. I watched her pound on the drum and put my hand to the goatskin top. It felt completely wrong. I tried to rationalize the situation. Did I look silly holding the instrument? What would people think if they heard me play? What am I doing here?

The thoughts went swirling through my mind but I tried to pick up on the rhythm that my sister was playing. I had a difficult time letting go. In fact I don't think I fully let go that day but I did drum nonetheless. After some time passed I left with a smile on my face and a new purpose in my heart. I knew that something within me was calling out for the drum. I kept thinking about the feeling I had when I played the drum and within a week I had my very own drum.

My hands could not leave the drum and every night I have been devoting time to play. I have never had any formal lessons and I don't care. I love that I don't know how to do something. I love that every single time I play, it feels new and yet feels as though I am reconnecting with a dear friend. A deep feeling of coming home takes place and I allow the spirit to guide me, which in turn makes me feel grounded. I connect to the earth when I play the drum. Perhaps it's the deep bass or the act of doing something without reason at all. The act of "playing". Either way, I am elated to be on this journey.