Meet our brother Andrew who lives in Phoenix Arizona, although his blood is both American Indian and European;
“Organizations Moving to Organisms”, As the theme of all of my blogs, I am taking this well deserved time to shine light on what is in my opinion some of the most important yet rewarding work.
Andrew facilitates drum circles within Assisted living, Psychiatry units, Memory care, Retirement Homes, and Suicide prevention which are mainly western medicine/hospital settings. His work has become so recognized and successful that western medicine institutions are accepting his program as a medical intervention that insurance companies are recently now supporting. This is alone is a major shift of humanity.
His Project and Non-Profit is called “Drumming Sounds,” and for Andrew A casual day includes 1-5 drum circles at several different location around the Phoenix area, sometimes a few within in the same healthcare facility. All that is required is large cart full of 20 compact drums, gongs, flute, rattles and bells to facilitate what some may term ‘miracle stories.’ For example one moving story is about a woman in the psychiatry unit who hadn’t spoken in over 6 years, until one of the drum circles, the staff came to witness her singing during a session. These stories seem to be somewhat common after spending time with Andrew and his incredible experiences.
Several times a year Andrew does teacher trainings, supplying those who are interested the necessary tools and intellectual property to facilitate this work in their own communities. His methodology is quite creative in bridging indigenous technology and wisdom into contemporary settings which is sometimes referred to as ‘walking both worlds.’
I witnessed Brother Andrew using strength in his word, story, and experiences many times by speaking about the uncomfortable in these sometimes large circles. He encourages those who are wounded to talk about the pain and trauma and use the drum as medicine to collectively heal together to the rhythm of the drum, he emphasizes to surface the feelings of trauma, abuse, and pain to put inside the circle of the drum to be drummed out. Which reminds me of a good elders words in these moments, “speaking harm, Heals harm.”
Although Very wittingly brother Andrew can transform a heavy conversation into the importance of laughter quite quickly, him and many other wisdom keepers agree that the best medicine is laughter. Not only that but he humbly emphasizes that “The drum is the teacher,” that he actually doesn’t have to do anything other than hold thoughts of positivity, love, joy, and happiness, which is naturally easy for Andrew especially after getting to know him.
My personal experience in helping facilitate some of these drum circles with Andrew has been truly extraordinary. From the way he conducts himself with poise, intention, structure, and of course laughter, to the cooperation of the patients/clients, to the event coordinators of the facilities, to the technicalities of insurance cooperation. This is where ‘work’ is all-ways being redefined, some how helping others from your heart with a purpose of what you enjoy to do is no longer ‘work.’
Despite the Several different festivals a year he does, he is also active in several youth programs around the Phoenix area, including a bullying awareness, drug abuse, and suicide prevention. Another story he emotionally shares is a girl that has been bullied, he told her to “drum the feelings of how it feels tbe bullied” when she gently tapped the drum and rested her hands on the drum all she could do is release those tears of trauma. Who would of thought that the drum is an ancient counselor.
In contrast of important ways of relating to the youth, he also says it is just as important to take care of our elders because they hold the inherited knowledge and wisdom through that we find in the songs, Language and dances.
Another incredible piece of Andrews work is at a center called “Native American Connections,” which is a drug and rehab center for primarily Native Americans, but is not limited to any ethnicity. This center is another example of traditional teachings and modern approaches within contemporary settings for behavioral health, such as talking stick circles, smudging, story telling, Native crafts, sweat lodge, and songs and drumming. This NGO even helps out with housing crisis.
Like most Andrew has a deep story of healing, which he pays gratitude for, a story that is quite common for indigenous communities. But many older generations have gone through sometimes higher degrees of trauma, pain and self destruction only find the healing path/red road that much stronger. Which is why Andrew was inspired to create his book, “The Sacred 7” which talks about the importance of “Traditional Introduction.” This is an ancient practice that introduces the 7 generations before you, before mentioning our own name. He says this is the idea that if we know where we come from then we know our self and our role within our community, but even further some indigenous people will honor their mountain and their river before their name as well.
Drumming itself has been practiced by humans for thousand of years, not just for celebrations but for healing which modern science has already supported. Anyone who has been to a proper drum circle will recognize a “trance like” state. But coupling this work with ‘conscious intention’ is the next phase of technology and medicine towards healing. The deeper layer of ‘work’ I experienced is to continue facilitating ancient technologies within contemporary medical institutions that society has labeled and separated into multiple categories of “sick/ill.” But some see them simply as ‘hyper sensitive individuals,’ some may even argue that these people are a reflection of a sick nation. Either way the most important thing is that there are people who care and are doing alternative/ancient medicine inside of these contemporary settings.
It could be felt as some of the most rewarding work, After each session Andrew always asks “Who feels better now than before we started?” Of course sometimes they put both hands up followed by ‘when are you coming back?’ The feeling of completeness after one of the sessions has no capacity for words, but for sure the smiles and participation, expressions of joy and happiness, the level of receptivity of the patients; To hear the words from them ‘you are beautiful’ will always be something I remember and cherish.
‘Experience is the new currency,’ is what Andrew has been rightfully preaching, Which has been truth for me since traveling the last 7 years in a deep way. The concept is that the only thing we take with us when transitioning worlds is our experiences and relationships. That direct experiences lead to the direct knowledge and eventually into wisdom, which we then use as currency to advance through life.
After spending quality time with Andrew it is very clear that he is about the people, the land, and the medicine of what is ‘sacred.’ I seen his ability to affect people positively, simply by relating and talking to them. Not to mention he also makes medicine drums and rattles, stones jewelry and more.
Anyone seeking to be of global sustainable service in the Arizona area, I encourage you to make good relations and learn with Andrew, he will only enhance one quality of life and freedom of spirit.
https://www.drummingsounds.com/
~Ancestral Medicine Revival
