Which Meditation?
During each circle I talk you through two meditations – a quick grounding one at the beginning to ground everyone’s nerves, and then a longer relaxing one towards the end.
I’ve often wondered if I should use my sound bowls or drums during meditation and right on cue I was given a sign.
A lady contacted me asking for more details so last circle I took a leap out of my comfort zone and added the sounds of my deer drum to the longer mediation (it sure gave my untoned arms a workout!) I’d never used by drum in public, and want to share the story behind it…...
About five years ago I attended a weekend workshop with Artemis from She Awakening to create a kangaroo hide drum. It was the most amazing weekend where I not only met the most beautiful women but learnt a lot about myself and how certain experiences had shaped my life.
I desperately wanted to attend again to make a deer hide drum but the weekends clashed with both my children’s birthdays (I’m just realising the significance of this as I type!) I decided to set myself a challenge and birth this drum alone. I sourced the deer hide from a man in Tasmania as well as the other components and trusted I could do this. I had the instructions and knowledge from first drum – how hard could this be?
I soon discovered its actually quite difficult!
We built our house and Jaki become like a second grandmother to me. As she aged and her sight deteriorated, she loved nothing more than a visit and to chat about the world. I had told her about the kangaroo drum and I was surprised at the time at her interest in it - then I remembered her creative and artistic background and quest for knowledge!
Here I was struggling on my own. I walked over and she was delighted with the idea of me sitting with her at the kitchen table while I laced and tightened the drum. A fiercely strong, intelligent women with an amazing memory and attention to detail, we spoke for hours about her past, her memories and life in general. I sat there working with my hands as she shared treasured stories and wisdom with me. I couldn’t help but she the cycle of life here, a woman now in her 90s trusting me with her wisdom and knowledge.
Naturally, after the drum had dried, she was the first person to hear its sounds and was honoured to be part of its birthing process. She loved the sound and the subtle differences between it and kangaroo skin drum.
Sadly, Jaki died in May. A 94 yr old women, born in India to British parents. She met her husband at a life drawing class in London (he was an architectural student at the time as assures me it wasn’t he who was the model at said class!) She took her parents to court to allow the marriage, later moving to Australia to become a prominent figure in South Australia artistic circles. She raised 3 children and passed peacefully with her daughter and husband at her side. Honestly, the details of her story rivals that of The Notebook.
I think of her every time I play this drum and would be honoured to share it with you during meditation.