Book Reviews:

Drumming Deeply: Travels of the Heart
Reviews by Dawn Brunke

 

Journey of the Heart: A Healing Meditation with Grandmother Drum Suraj Holzwarth and GrandMother Drum (CD, available through The Whirling Rainbow Center, www.whirlingrainbow.com; $20.00)

 

Suraj Holzwarth began receiving visions of the GrandMother drum fifteen years ago as the spirits of Indigenous grandmothers from many nations visited her dreams with teachings and an unfolding healing mission. This is partly how she became midwife to the immense, seven-foot drum fashioned from strips of Alaskan cedar and birch, covered with a buffalo hide and inlaid at its base with 200 clear and rose quartz crystals set in a triple spiral pattern that replicates the matrix of the seven chakras (energy centers) of the human body. Whew! If you think that is something, imagine the deep, sonic, healing sounds of the drum itself, the beat that sounds as an invitation to something deeper, something we have always known. There is a reason shamans have used drums as vehicles of travel throughout known time. The motivated drumbeat is the heartbeat of the self and soul, the movement made audible of the path that connects worlds: ordinary to non-ordinary; personal self to universal creation. 

 

This CD truly is a journey of the heart – and heartbeat. It opens with a gentle introduction on “Becoming the Heartbeat,” while the next half hour is filled with the deeply resonating sounds produced by the drum, activating the heart in its journey of awakening. Track 3 allows a space of inner silence, a welcomed space in which one is free to simply be and enjoy. Track 4 brings one back from the meditative state, and Track 5 is the Traveling Song, an inspired chant that reminds us all of our home, found in the heartbeat of “one family, one earth.” For more on the CD or to read about the Ring of Fire World Tour and adventures of the Grandmother Drum dedicated to promoting “Unity, Peace and Life among all of Earth’s people,” please visit the Whirling Rainbow website noted above.

  

 

Speak to My Heart! Carla Person’s Step-by-Step Method for Shamanic Animal Communication Carla Person (DVD, available through Coccora Press; www.coccorapress.com; $34.95)

 

With a straightforward, wonderfully engaging and friendly attitude, animal communicator Carla Person clearly presents the introductory steps of her Shamanic Animal Communication workshop. The DVD is perfect for those who would like to learn more about animal communication as well as those who have interests in shamanism. In short, the program is a step-by-step workshop in which one learns to access non-ordinary realities and walk between the worlds, bringing back information from animal spirits and guides. Exercises include journeying to the land of the spirits; meeting one’s power animal; and connecting with the spirits of animals via exchanging information and deepening in relationship and appreciation. Also included is a 10-minute drumming session that one can use anytime for future shamanic travels.

The DVD is high quality and very well made, with some lovely photo stills of animals and places of beauty. Some of the DVD features Carla speaking directly to the viewer, while other parts include clips of workshops in which she interacts with students, who sometimes share their unique experiences. The DVD is also extremely easy to navigate, with a separate menu that allows one to jump from the workshop to practice sessions to the drumming section. All in all, this is a great practical introduction to both the ancient techniques of shamanism and the simple yet powerful ways in which we can all access and listen more deeply to our innate spiritual connections. For more, please link to the website listed above.