Uncovering Joy

Music and drumming assists us in uncovering the joy of an innate ‘musicianship’ that is our natural birthright. I say “uncovering the joy” because I believe it is only temporarily inaccessible and simply needs the right conditions to re-emerge. While this work has always been about building community, enhancing health, deepening faith, exploring creativity and moving into the true expression of ourselves, I now subscribe primarily to the simple notion that if we are open to it, playing music, singing and drumming together uncovers joy. Joy is like the yeast in the bread – when it is part of the mix, all the other elemental components are able to rise up together fully expressed.

Whether working in hospitals, jails, schools, churches, with corporate groups, seniors, at risk youth or with special populations, the the music of the drum has always been a powerful companion in my own personal search for healing.

Try this… choose someone you are close to, a friend, an intimate partner, someone you trust. Lay your head on their chest so you can hear the beating of their heart. And breathe long and deep… Imagine yourself as the fetus you once were, listening to the beat of your Mothers heart…

People who are profoundly affected by a group drumming experience often report it as being like “coming home”, to a deep life long yearning for rhythm and beat that originated in the womb. The drum is considered one of the oldest musical instruments – most other instruments came after the drum. Our affinity with rhythm already exists and only needs a mode of joyful expression to become manifest.”

This is an excerpt from the 2011 article Uncovering Joy, written and inspired through the great work done at the Haven on Gabriola Island where Lyle occasionally a guest faculty member and teaches a program called Drum Talk.