Drumming and The Rhythm in the Kitchen

These are my buddies from my last drumming class at Village Heartbeat. My drumming teacher, Zorina Wolf talked about how Africans would follow a rhythm as they worked to till the fields. I thought about my parents who operate a large farm in Minnesota. The equipment is huge, like walking into a small apartment on wheels. The computer dashboard in the air-conditioned cab of the combine is like the pilot display of a 747 airplane. It’s efficient, but at what cost? Have we lost the natural rhythms of our bodies and the earth?
I thought about so many people who detest spending time in the kitchen. The food manufacturers have gotten us addicted to convenience. Most of us have seen video clips of children who can’t name basic vegetables and think that eggs come from a carton in a store. I’ve personally done a survey of over 500 people, half of which didn’t realize a cow has to give birth in order to produce milk. (which was intended for her baby calf)
I was one of the many people who stocked up on canned food so I didn’t have to go to the grocery store so often. Thankfully that’s changed and I know my local farmers by name now. It’s humbling to see how many good-hearted people don’t know the basics of how to hold a knife to cut vegetables.
Many of us are evolving into eating whole fruits and vegetables. (the kind you have to cut up 🙂 My process was one of first being annoyed that it took so much time out of my day. Then, realizing it was a new way of life and I actually had to spend time in my kitchen. My next step was listening to inspirational speakers on youtube as I cut up my weekly veggies. I began to relax a bit. After today’s drumming class, I think I’ll make it a point to listen to slow, steady world music, get into the rhythm as I feel the motion of my wrist, elbow and the rotator cuff in my shoulder. I’ll put attention on my breath and allow my ribs to expand a bit more.
Drumming is one way of getting back to the rhythm of life. There were times in class the ‘goon’ sound in the sweet spot of my drum took me right to the center of the earth. And connecting that to spirit or heaven or whatever you want to call it. No words, really, just a very expanded feeling. I find it at the beach too, hearing the sound of the waves. I watch geese fly overhead and listen to them call. Then a leaf-blower is turned on next door and I jump back to my head resisting the whole mechanized experience. Living in the whole body makes me feel safe. Like being in the drumming circle, I feel connected with others. Wiggle your toes with me right now and feel the miracle of being human. Knowing the difference of being on automatic like a robot or, being fully tuned in to each of our senses seems to be the key to experiencing life. Life with a capitol L.