Dancing, Drums, Chants and Other Active Ways to Transcend

Last night, my friend N8 and i went down to The Land Trust for an experience. The first and third Saturday nights of every month there is a drumming circle with bonfire, dancing, percussion, and onlookers and other activities. It was our first visit down to this event.

As we walked down Arizona Ave, we could hear the drumming. We were stopped at a road block, as the neighbors collected money for the Land Trust, which is also an attempt to keep riff raff out of the park.

We walked closer down to the Trust and the drumming grew louder. We walked along a path, through trees and seemingly out of the city. In a clearing, there was pit, with a nice bonfire burning, bellydancers, other dancers, and lots and lots of drummers. I recognized several friends, and moved into the circle. There were lots of people of all ages sitting, dancing and drumming. It was dark, the stars were shining and the fire was hot. The drumming went on almost nonstop while we were there - and it's my understanding it starts around 9:30 p.m. and lasts until 12 midnight.

Drumming can definitely bring one to an ecstatic state. So can dancing. Dancing with drumming, combined with fire is a wonderful way to ease into a trance-like state, moving energy and connecting with the earth. Chanting can bring one to a similar place, but i find that moving the body has overall a nice, earthy, total feeling about it. This type of dancing is following your body's movement and following the rhythm. It's not about looking good, but rather, moving and breathing consciously. Sometimes trance dance, which is done in a more controlled environment, includes blindfolding the dancer and the use of firebreath (a specific method of breathing). Here, in nature, with many of the senses being stimulated at once, it was a very sensuous, energetic, and light-hearted experience.