|  | | BODHRÂN WISDOM.
If the drum could speak, what would it say?
Wisdom may be defined as actions taken, or conclusions drawn from judgements about life or events, which, in hindsight, were considered to have been right or true. Those who consistently show these qualities of foresight are considered ‘wise’.
There are three things, knowledge, truth and wisdom; and wisdom, the binding force, is the thoughtful application of what we know to be true. The Bodhrán shows us the path to wisdom because, firstly, it engenders circumstances where calm and considered understanding can be encountered, and secondly, it manifests empowering energies which bring our entire selves, body, mind and spirit, into harmony with whatever we find sacred.
Wisdom is more than knowledge. Knowledge without wisdom it is but a clanging symbol. Wisdom is an intuitive knowing, a seeing and judging clearly, a love and respect for all things, a forgiveness of all wrongs, and a desire to achieve the greatest good. Whilst there are many paths to wisdom they all have one thing in common, they require a quiet and contemplative disposition. The only reason for the pre-eminence of the Bodhran / shamanic drum in this respect is the speed and ease whereby these states can be achieved.
In repeated drum visualisations and meditations there comes a sense of oneness with all things which transcends self and surroundings. In this state one may begin to see clearly things which were once only perceived dimly. As George Louis Borge once said. “There are many things which remind me of something I am about to understand, but never do”. The Bodhrán can be a way of opening the doors of understanding. Any form of drumming will do, ‘meditation’, ‘tantric’, ‘shamanic’, ‘spirit’ or just a nice gentle ‘jig’ will do the trick, it is the intention that matters.
Bodhrán wisdom represents the wise and considered thoughts which come to us from using the drum as a vehicle of understanding, to discern the relative worth of what is known, and then to come to judgements about the world and our relationship to it. This wisdom brings healing, hope, understanding, harmony, calm assurance, peace, and a sense of joy and wonder. However wisdom always demands a price. That price is usually some form of sacrifice, whether of time, money, and more often than not, ones good name. (The ridicule with which this simple yet magical instrument is often greeted is ample evidence of this). In order to be wise you must often play the fool. Nor does it come all at once, be patient, one moment of insight is worth a lifetime of blindness.
But finally, one word of caution, if you seek wisdom for its own sake, it will elude you. Just let the spirit of the drum be your guide. Your faith will move mountains, but bring a shovel just in case. Wisdom is only words unless it is forged in the fire of life.
My peace be with you.
A drum speaks:-
What Kind of God is That?
A Little Nudge. | | | | | | | | |
