Dragon Drum

In shamanic trance, we go into an altered state, enhanced by theta waves of the brain, as driven by the drum.  Casteneda called this “Non Ordinary Reality,” while Harner calls it “Shamanic State of Consciousness.”  (contrasted with “Ordinary Reality” and “Ordinary State of Consciousness.”)

Is this a dream?  It is very similar to a dream, and as you get skilled in shamanic trance, you will begin to connect your dreams to your shamanic state, too.  As your mindfulness improves, these Non-Ordinary states will connect to your Ordinary states as well, in the form of Synchronicity.

Is it an hallucination?  Imagination?  Something Real?

On entheogenic drugs, especially plant medicine, you can also easily tap into these theta consciousness creative states.  But the elders speak that these  “hallucinations” may be more real than the waking beta state we associate with reality, and teach that this Non Ordinary Reality is the actual, Real World where we create the Ordinary Reality.  The Three Worlds give rise to this one, and the shamanic state is pre-reality, and therefore more real, more fluid, and more primal, than what we agree upon in consensual reality.

Another form of hallucination is misinterpreted by modern medicine as a “psychotic state.”  These, too, can be deep plunges into the Other Worlds, only when one is thrown there – no drum, no control – these states can be frightening, overwhelming, all encompassing.  Our medical professionals are not trained to teach how to access and utilise these states to heal – the drugs are given to silence them.  This can be a form of oppression, even if it does stop the worst of the distress.

Only by exploring the Spiritual Emergency, psychic crisis, Dark Night of the Soul – can one integrate and use these tools.

Human brains seem naturally to go into altered states, whether by communal trance, plant medicine, or crisis-induced states. Some scientists claim that our brain is designed to receive this connection to the Divine.  The drum is a simple, pure, clear and uncomplicated way to do this safely.

It doesn’t matter if what you experience is imagination, story-telling, actual spirits, the Akashic records, or manifestations of your sub and unconscious or the collective unconscious.  It is a valuable tool to help you learn and grow, and become a stronger, truer Human Being.

I heard Dick Sutphen say, “If I’m making it up – that is real, too.”  Do not judge the information you gain from deep states.  Ask and learn, listen, pay attention.  The creativity gained in these deep states is waiting for you.