This is a very inspiring article, and shows the power of music therapy in effecting a great change in society at large. There are some main points that I would like to address: 1) the significance of music therapy in this crucial period of history; 2) the importance of using drumming, a nonviolent form of expression, as an alternative to violent expression; 3) the significance of the circle concept; and 4) the use of various cultural practices in music therapy, bringing about a multicultural music therapy.
Is it a coincidence that music therapy as a field began in the middle of the twentieth century, a century marked by rapid change and greater awareness of our spirituality and inter-relatedness as people? During this past century, humanity experienced many advancements in technology, causing the world to become more interconnected, more than we ever have been in history. A key step, then, at this stage of humanity's development, is the unification of all the peoples of the world. Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, said, "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."
One of the challenges to achieving unity is violence between people. The "Drumming Circle for Peace" is a great example of using music therapy as a tool to bring people together and express their emotions in a peaceful way. It uses the drum as an instrument of peace, "peace within oneself, peace with others, and peace with the environment - locally and ultimately globally."
I have always enjoyed drumming, in whatever context in which I've experienced it. I took an African dance class in which we learned various drumming patterns; I participated in a large drum circle at the American Music Therapy Association Conference in Atlanta in 2002; and I've lead a few small drum circles. In all of those experiences, I have felt a strong release of energy, and an excitement in playing with other people. I imagine that many would also feel the same way. One of the problems with violence is the harmful expression of emotions; in drumming and other activities like it, those same emotions can be released in a harmless manner, and at the same time through the interactions involved, group cohesiveness can come about - a step in unification.
I like the references made to the concept of the circle, and how symbolic it is. "A circle is one of the most natural forms found in our physical universe." Nature has a lot to teach us, and this is a great example. A couple of things about a circle that make it conducive to accomplishing the nonviolent goals in a drum circle are its all-encompassing nature, and the focal point in the center of the circle. A circle is not limited to one angle, but includes all angles. Whenever I'm seated in a circle, I feel like I can see everyone; everyone is equal. The other factor is the focus on the center of the circle; when people are in a circle, all of their bodies are facing one direction - the center. In bringing together and unifying people, it helps greatly to have a common goal. The circle brings that.
As mentioned in the article, the drum circle is part of the daily lives of African and Native American cultures. In these and many other cultures, family and tribe are very important, and the people gather together daily, using drumming and other rituals. Certainly our concept of the drum circle has been influenced by these cultural practices. This a great illustration of using the various resources available in different cultures as tools in music therapy. After all, many of these practices have been around for centuries, whereas music therapy is less than a century old. This is also a step in the process toward nonviolence and the unification of the human race - using the various cultural practices opening people to those cultures, causing people to appreciate different cultures.
This articles inspires me and shows me that two of my greatest passions can indeed be combined - music and unifying people.
Response to "Drumming Circle for Peace"
This is a very inspiring article, and shows the power of music therapy in effecting a great change in society at large. There are some main points that I would like to address: 1) the significance of music therapy in this crucial period of history; 2) the importance of using drumming, a nonviolent form of expression, as an alternative to violent expression; 3) the significance of the circle concept; and 4) the use of various cultural practices in music therapy, bringing about a multicultural music therapy.
Is it a coincidence that music therapy as a field began in the middle of the twentieth century, a century marked by rapid change and greater awareness of our spirituality and inter-relatedness as people? During this past century, humanity experienced many advancements in technology, causing the world to become more interconnected, more than we ever have been in history. A key step, then, at this stage of humanity's development, is the unification of all the peoples of the world. Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, said, "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."
One of the challenges to achieving unity is violence between people. The "Drumming Circle for Peace" is a great example of using music therapy as a tool to bring people together and express their emotions in a peaceful way. It uses the drum as an instrument of peace, "peace within oneself, peace with others, and peace with the environment - locally and ultimately globally."
I have always enjoyed drumming, in whatever context in which I've experienced it. I took an African dance class in which we learned various drumming patterns; I participated in a large drum circle at the American Music Therapy Association Conference in Atlanta in 2002; and I've lead a few small drum circles. In all of those experiences, I have felt a strong release of energy, and an excitement in playing with other people. I imagine that many would also feel the same way. One of the problems with violence is the harmful expression of emotions; in drumming and other activities like it, those same emotions can be released in a harmless manner, and at the same time through the interactions involved, group cohesiveness can come about - a step in unification.
I like the references made to the concept of the circle, and how symbolic it is. "A circle is one of the most natural forms found in our physical universe." Nature has a lot to teach us, and this is a great example. A couple of things about a circle that make it conducive to accomplishing the nonviolent goals in a drum circle are its all-encompassing nature, and the focal point in the center of the circle. A circle is not limited to one angle, but includes all angles. Whenever I'm seated in a circle, I feel like I can see everyone; everyone is equal. The other factor is the focus on the center of the circle; when people are in a circle, all of their bodies are facing one direction - the center. In bringing together and unifying people, it helps greatly to have a common goal. The circle brings that.
As mentioned in the article, the drum circle is part of the daily lives of African and Native American cultures. In these and many other cultures, family and tribe are very important, and the people gather together daily, using drumming and other rituals. Certainly our concept of the drum circle has been influenced by these cultural practices. This a great illustration of using the various resources available in different cultures as tools in music therapy. After all, many of these practices have been around for centuries, whereas music therapy is less than a century old. This is also a step in the process toward nonviolence and the unification of the human race - using the various cultural practices opening people to those cultures, causing people to appreciate different cultures.
This articles inspires me and shows me that two of my greatest passions can indeed be combined - music and unifying people.