een reflectie van morten wolf storheide
Left: Kyrre WhiteCougar Franck - Visionkeeper and cofounder
Right: Morten Wolf Storeide -Cofounder and coordinator
The World Drum -
experiences and thoughts after nine years of travelling....
Where to begin if not with the beginning nor the end ? The journey have almost just begun,
and it is far away from over, so I will start where we are today with thoughts, reflections,
experiences and feedback from the so far nine year global journey.
But first a short presentation of The World Drum Project:
The World Drum Project came to life after a vison of WhiteCougar, and The World Drum
itself was handcrafted and became the manifistation of the vision, and the project was initiated
in front of the Norwegian Parliament October 21 st 2006 in Oslo, Norway.
The World Drum was ment to travel around the globe to put focus on all polution, poisoning
and destructiuon of Mother Earth and all her diversity caused by human made projects and
development towards a higher standard of living.
The hope was that this focus would become a seed for thoughts that would make it possible to
act and create a sustainable development and future were co-creating and cooperation for the
common good would be the carrying forces.
While the project evolved it also became a project for peace as much as an environmental
project, and they now travel hand in hand. We need peace to create a better environment. The
World Drum have so far visited more than 650 different locations around the globe spread on
all continents. But how many tens or hundreds of thousands of people who actually have
participated, held, played and prayed with The World Drum, we have no idea. But one thing
for sure, the numbers are huge, and continuous growing. The journey of The World Drum
continues....
Now, after soon nine years of coordinating the journey, there is a lot of experiences and
thoughts made, some of this I will try to put into words here:
Humility.
The first that strikes me is humility – humility facing all the warmhearted fantastic humans all
over the globe that so far have attended, participated, supported or in any other way been a
part of The World Drum`s journey, and filled «Her» with prayers, love, healing, hope and
good intentions.
Humility over all the feedback about the amazing and beautiful experiences people have had,
how they have been touched and how it for many have been a life changing experience.
Humility over all the gifts given to The World Drum. All the gifts from the two first years is stored in a museum in Canada, the rest is safe and properly taken care of until the day for exhibition is to come.
Humility because it is the truth that without all these people, this amazing journey would never have taken place. A journey happening across religions, politics, borders and limitations created by human, across cultures and status. From land to land, from people to people, from hand to hand rooted with love for nature and life itself. I feel humility towards all those people who with an open heart have contributed to this ongoing journey. An I feel humility when I see that the journey just keep on crossing borders, meeting new cultures and humans, and will not be stopped by any barriers.
Love.
I experience an enormous love. Every time I am physically able to meet with The WorldDrum again, it is the feeling of growing love that fills me. Love that pour out from "Her",love given from people all over the globe. From their heart to "Her" heart. This heart is common for all of us and its rhythm is the heartbeat of life itself.
Even our world today is filled with huge differences in culture, religion, politics, status and with human made limitations, love is without borders and unconditional that rise above all constructed frames.
It is the love for life and nature that binds us together, no matter who we are, what we are or where we come from.
All the feedback through the years so far could be summarized towards something fundamental that stirs inside us no matter where we are to be found
on the globe and that have weaved a web and created a network and unity across all borders.
I would describe it as the very essence of life – Love.
Love, the seed for all life, for interacting and
co-creating. A universal force that stir deep within
each and one of us feeding the hope that we will
change our ways of living and move forward towards
cooperation and co-creation to the benefit of the
community and for a sustainable earth.
Joy.
The third that strikes me is joy. Such a small but powerful word. Joy because such a simple vision as The World Drum, which is to be shared among and unite people, in fact arehappening, are alive and grasp the very roots in humans existence. Joy that despite all war,terror, violence, environmental pollution and poisoning that we humans have created, we still don’t give up.
There is hope, there is possibilities and we have the resources to change our
way of living to the benefit of community and this little organism in the great universe that we call Mother Earth.
Mother Earth is the right word, since she gives birth and make sure of that we humans have everything we need to live. And this she do in co-creation with Father sun that supplies her with all the energy and warmth she needs to give birth. This is an interaction similar to woman and man who creates new life through union and birth. And when our cycle of life is
over, we go back to Mother Earth and become nourishment for new growth and new life.
Interaction and co-creating generate growth for the community unlike self enrichment and greed who apply through egocentric actions.
Pride.
The fourth I experience and feel is pride. Pride because this project have survived, grows and keep on living almost without any grants of money. It is idealism and warm hearts which is the main cause that the project evolves. But in our society today all goods and services is about money. And yes, it has a cost to send The World Drum around the globe. From The Philippines to The Republic of Tuva, from Canada to South Africa, from Australia to USA,and over all borders in Europe to South America.
How is it that The World Drum`s journey still is ongoing, and that «she» year after year are moving all over our globe? I wrote earlier the project is almost without any grants of money,and this almost consisting of donations. All ceremonies, presentations and talks with TheWorld Drum is to be free of charge, but donations are aloud and given on each location were "She" is hosted.
Donations specifically given to cover the cost of transport of The World
Drum to next location and a new host somewhere around the world.
In this context something else and absolutely fantastic happens. When donations are given and The World Drum travels on, it almost happen every time that there are money left over after paying the cost of transport. In the early beginning of the project we were contacted by a host with the question about our account number, so that they could send us (the project) what was left over from the donations. We were then a little proud being able to say that our project do not have any account, and that there is no money involved in the project. But we asked
then that the money left over was to be given to an organization of charity chosen by the host in the area where The World Drum had been. And that is how it became, how it is and how it is supposed to be. Never the big amounts of money, but everything makes a difference and it makes us proud that the project via its supporters and hosts may be able to contribute in the
local community visited by The World Drum. In addition to all the seeds sown in the people who attend, participate and support when The World Drum arrives to a new location.
Also I would like to inform that the project have got several offers about sponsorships from big companies. We said thanks, but no thanks. Why did we do that? Would it not be comfortable to have an account with money? We said no, because our belief is that if we allow market forces and capitalism into this grassroots-project, the very foundation in the project would collapse. And then the project would die from being a living uniting project of and for people, to become goods in a big game of the market. We were not willing to let that happen, we will still not let this happen, and we will never allow it to happen in the future
either.
Song, music, dance, odors and winds.
It is not only love that fills "Her". "She",The World Drum, is almost like the Cornucopia (the horn of plenty). “She” is filled up with kindness and joy of creativity from the whole globe through contributions of many kinds. When you hold The World Drum in your hands and allow yourself to connect, “She” pours out songs and chanting, dance and movement, music and rhythms, and last but not least odors.
Odors and winds from all corners of the world. Good odors which move with the winds.
Odors of nature, spice, humans, animals, sea and air. They affect our senses and fill our entire body and awareness. It creates vibrations through the invisible strings in life and the universe,connecting the web and creates union. And this is what we need in our world today, union.
No matter how we twist on where we come from, what religion, what kind of politics or culture we belong, at the end of the day we all are humans. Let the universal song and dance fill you up and allow yourself to become a part of humanity who is a small part of the big universe. Let harmony and the heartbeat of love become the rhythm who are to be spread with the winds for a common understanding of our part in the great interaction of universe.
Protection.
In all of this I also have to think about protection, but what do I mean by this? It is my belief that The World Drum are protected by love and kindness. I mention this because for nine
years now The World Drum have been on a journey. She have been crossing borders and cultures, and been experiencing big changes in climatic conditions. Travelled from homeless to political leaders, from small gatherings in nature to challenging experiences in big cities and areas of though political influence.
“She” have been exposed to attempt of corruption. “She” have been arrested and put in quarantine. “She” have been attempted to destruction and tried to be forced to silence.
«She» have travelled more than most in near and distant locations, but never gotten «sick»,never gotten wounded or damaged. And never has “She” lost her rhythm and heartbeat.
Old as young have handled her. “She” have been beaten and touched, danced with and drummed on, transported by airplane, trains, busses, tramways and cars. But “She” is still here in good shape, stronger than ever and keep up her journey forward, carried by love and kindness from all you good people around the world.
Technology.
The World Drum is organic, living and created by skilled handcrafting. “She” is alive and need care and love like all other living beings. “She” share with joy all of the abundance «She» carries with love, healing and prayers from all around the world, “She” is nature, we are nature. Nature is all and all is nature.
But this project can not be mentioned without a big thank you to technology. Because it is because of this it is possible to sit deep in the woods of Norway
and coordinate the journey of The World Drum, as well as being in contact with all the hosts and theentire global World Drum family.
Thanks to
technology it is possible to communicate quickly when needed.
Technology is after all an interaction between us humans and resources from nature.
We can`t stop development, but we can change the direction it takes and how to use this for the common good. Let us learn from history and use technology in a way that is useful,
sustainable and co-creating.
Kids, teenagers, adults and old.
The World Drum have through her journey steadily expanded her audience from the
beginning to be a part of gatherings with adults, to become a messenger to daycare, schools,
universities and elderly homes. Anyone and everyone should be given the possibility to
participate, and no group whatever age should be left outside. The World Drum exist for
everybody and belongs to everybody.
It is incredibly gratifying that more and more hosts in addition to conduct ceremonies also
bring The World Drum for talks to schools and daycares, universities and public buildings.
“She” is introduced on festivals and in organizations, and everywhere “She” go, “She” is met by love, kindness and joy. Is there really anything more important in the world today than spreading joy, love and message about peace? Peace between people and peace between people and nature.
A sacred object.
The World Drum have through her journey developed to be considered as a sacred object. In the beginning
I personally felt this a bit odd and strange since sacred objects often are seen as objects only to be touched by some few “chosen” people.
But the foundation in the project that this was for the people by the people, was so strong and powerful that this together with information made it clear that
The World Drum belongs to everybody. “She” can be touched by anyone, “She” can be played by anyone and “She” can be prayed with by anyone.
And it is joyful and touching and see how “She” travels from homeless to saints, from child to old,from handicapped to well function people, from craftsmen to CIOs, from politicians to artists. No limits or limitations. We are all humans and we all
need care and love, and this is to be shared unconditionally.
Very early during the journey it was created a cover for the skin of The World Drum to protect her during transport. This cover is made of leather and the symbol of The WorldDrum is beautifully “woven” into it. Today it is no less than amazing to lift this cover in your hands, hold it and really feel all the love, joy, humility and prayers that have been written and drew on it by people from all over the world. Both sides of the cover is now filled with greetings. The oldest of them slowly disappear and become a part of the cover and the spirit of it, while new writings and drawings are added all the time. Together they create a living cultural historic object. In the same way as The World Drum continuous are added love from
new people through being held, played and prayed with, the cover also have this through the writings and drawings added. And when you take a part in this you also take part in all that
have been and in all that is to come, and it all unite.
One definition of the word sacred is: “Sacred means to be in connection with gods in a way that expand the limitations of experiences we have in our daily life”
And yes, The World Drum expand the limitations of experience we have in our daily life, and is to be considered as sacred as also her cover is sacred. Sacred in a way that are available for everybody. Sacred because «She» is available for everybody. Sacred because it create a connection with the divine in ourselves and nature – love – the essence of all life.
Does it matter?
Many times during The World Drum`s journey people have said: «is there any point in doing this?» «Do you think this is going to make any difference?» «This is just a waste of time!» etc
etc.
But now after 9 years of travel, we can say: Yes, it matters and makes a difference, it creates change, it creates union and it creates hope. The World Drum have as mentioned earlier visited many different people and cultures, have been in parliaments and supreme court, and every time The World Drum meet new people, new seeds are sown,Then these seeds have been brought or travelled with people and the winds throughout the world and more and more people contact us to be able to be a part of the journey and ask to host The World Drum
Through the years we have received huge numbers of written experiences from people who have attended ceremonies and gatherings around the world. Thousands of photos, lots of videos, drawings, poems and songs, and it all is about The World Drum. I am touched and it is heartwarming to see all of this. There are many thoughts about what to do with all of this together with all the gifts given. For sure it is to be exhibited in public one way or another, but how and when, we have not decided yet. To give you a little insight in the feedbacks from people`s experiences I enclose a selection from around the world with closing words to follow:
Statements from people who have participated with The World Drum:
“The ceremony was attended by approximately 100 individuals who were all experienced
shamanic practitioners and members of our society.
The group included individuals from all over the United States, Europe, and Asia.
We were delighted to have a shaman from Nepal, a Rinpoche from Tibet and a wisdom elder
from the Crow People of Montana with us during this ceremony.
Our experience with The World Drum during this week was inspiring. It leads us to believe that
individuals and small groups of individuals who are inspired by authentic “heart-based”
intentions can change the course of human actions on our planet. Working in cooperation with
the Mother Earth and with the Earth changing energies that have existed since antiquity, we
can find hope within our hearts that the Mother Earth will remain a wondrous home for our
descendents for generations to come. May the work of The World Drum Project contribute to
changes that will provide our grandchildren (for countless generations to come) a beautiful
place to live in harmony with the "forces of nature" and the great Mother Earth.”
“ L I G H T O N T H E P A T H ” M e n l a M o u n t a i n R e t r e a t ,
C a t s k i l l M o u n t a i n s , N e w Y o r k , U S A
“As this World Drum spent the weekend with us, I thought a lot about the message it carries with it. It is both a sad and hopeful message. It is a stern, yet loving message. It is the message Indigenous people have whispered for centuries.... Whatever we do to the earth, to the web of life, we do to ourselves. So love, honor and respect
Mother Earth, and all who dwell within and upon her will return that love, honor and respect to you. It is the law of nature, the law of our creator. It is the sacred circle of all life.
As I thought more and more about this message, it became more and more clear to me what the real message of the World Drum is. The real message is that we are all the World Drum. The sacred heartbeat which sounds on the skin of this humble, powerful drum, exists in the center of every being on the planet. It is in you, and it is inme. It is in every tree, every rock, every bird and every fish. The sacred heartbeat of the World Drum beats in us
all, and it is up to each of us to stop long enough to quiet our minds so we can hear that still small voice of the
Spirit which calls us back to the place of balance, respect, humility, honor, courage and wisdom. All who have
touched the wood and skin of the World Drum and played and prayed with it are connected as relatives. In
Lakota, there is a term we use quite often. It is mitakuye oyasin. What it means is this - all are my relatives. And
when we say all, we mean all beings which exist in our world.”
- John Two-Hawks, Eureka Springs, USA
“It is not the earth that needs healing, she always recovers, it is us who need healing -
and a big change in our ways."
- Thomas Eriksson, Skelefteå, Sweden
“It was a moving and powerful experience for all!
Many thanks and blessings to our sisters and brothers of the WORLD DRUM PROJECT and Dr.
Greg Miller, for allowing us to host this sacred treasure here in Nashville!
We are honored to have participated in this project and send our love and blessings for it's
continued journey of healing across the planet.”
- Janice MIckle, Founder/CEO
Antara Center, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, USA
“I would say every time we say that the earth or persons around us needs healing we have to
look in the depth of our self. When we heal the surrounding heals.”
- Thomas Zetterström, Galstrøm, Sweden
“The smell of burning birch is our greeting to those who are hosting the Worlddrum after us.
The night didn´t end. For hours the celebration og the Sami national day kept on and left us
with a feeling of gratefullness, a gratefullness for being hosts for the Worlddrum on such an
important day.”
- Liv Slettli, Gratangen, Norway
“The World Drum is an incredibly powerful messenger! It has been received by all in such
depth . . our drum ceremonies have been profound.
This drum has changed me, and I'm sure it will change all who have the honor of caretaking it
and facilitating ceremony. . .”
- Robin Youngblood, Hawai
“We sincerely wishe to thank you all you once again for this blessed instrument,
a beautiful tool of empowerment and healing.”
- Frasier Bruce, Pakiri Beach, East Coast New Zealand
“We're sending a big prayer that your community's visit with the World Drum is a powerful
one!!”
- Evelyn Rysdyk & Allie Knowlton, Spirit Passages, Y a r m o u t h , M a i n e , U S A
“The people participating in the ceremony all felt the great energy from The World Drum. They
told about a great and healing energy that came from The World Drum as soon as I started to
beat. For my own part I can tell that I felt this strong energy even when I just hold The Drum
and during the ceremony.
When I handed The World Drum to another participant I started dancing and felt that I danced
the whole globe around, just as The World Drum have done.
When the ceremony was over we sat down around the fire. Some people cried, some people
gently beat their own drums. As people were leaving the ceremony a woman came forward and
started to beat The World Drum as she sung. She kept on singing until she united with Mother
Earth, and it was a great healing.”
- Walti, Esslingen, Switzerland
“The World Drum carries with it a unique spirit. It is filled with the songs and prayers of many human beings
that share one heart and one mind through it. The vibration of the World Drum carries down deep into the
Mother Earth helping to heal her wounded spirit. Hosting the World Drum, becoming friends with it has been an
immeasurable honor and an unforgettable experience. We learned that the World Drum is happiest when it is
outside its travel case absorbing the energies around it. The World Drum likes to have its hide rubbed, it likes to
hear the prayers and songs of the people, it likes to be played. When it is honored the vibration within it grows
stronger, louder, and more awesome than what one person can imagine.”
- Becky Flaming Owls, Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
“Words, Comments, Experiences, nothing describes the Power of the World Drum. Each day
was a completely different experience from the time it arrived on Wednesday, July 25 until we
dropped it off at UPS”
- Rev.Marilee Snyder-Nieciak – Michigan City, Indiana, USA
“The World Drum is a symbol, and yet it is empowering us as it continues to be transformed by
the sacred ceremonies happening in its journey around the world.
Here, as the drum was passed around the circle, each person breathed a prayer or blessing
into it, as we sang Te Aroha – unconditional love, truth and peace.
May your prayers be added to the flow.”
- Jamilla, Sarmad, Devi, Rahima, Bev, The Sufi Sharda Centre, Tuakau,
South of Auckland, New Zealand
“Thank you people behind The World Drum Project, for all you have done in creating this
project and keeping it going. I Feel that part of the drum will be with me. It was one of the
most powerful objects I have ever encountered. I meditated deeply with it
while it was here. Many people spoke of its power to bring people of all faiths, colors,
economic and ethnic backgrounds together in peace and joy and unity.
”Thank you from my heart. Blessings to you for You Walk in Beauty.
- Sharon Borggard, Holderness, New Hampshire, USA
This is just some few statements and I feel humble and privileged to be able to take a part in
all of this. It provides and brings hope. Let us give nourishment to these seeds of hope so they
may grow and become good thoughts leading to good actions. A seed here and a seed there
may become new plants that generates more new seeds that can be spread with the four free
winds.
Like an old tree that have fallen to the ground, rots and become nourishment for new seeds,
our thoughts and actions are as well. Some times our thoughts and actions may be of such a
character that they do not benefit ourselves or the community. These kind of thoughts and
actions we may let fall, crumble and become nourishment for new thoughts and new actions.
It is never to late to change thoughts and actions to something that will help us to co-create a
better world for all. Thoughts and actions filled with love for life and hope for the future that
give us the opportunity to create a sustainable development on our amazing common
settlement – Mother Earth.
Together we can tear down barriers and old patterns of action, create something new and
fruitful, create hope instead of fear. Let us take wisdom from history and look forward to a
world in harmony, peace and balance.
From our heart we would like to thank each and one of you who in one way or another
support, contribute, participate and involve in The World Drum Project. Because you are the
ones that carry The World Drum forward and make it happen, and we rejoice from our heart
to see that it makes a difference.
On behalf of The World Drum Project
Morten Wolf Storeide
experiences and thoughts after nine years of travelling....
Where to begin if not with the beginning nor the end ? The journey have almost just begun,
and it is far away from over, so I will start where we are today with thoughts, reflections,
experiences and feedback from the so far nine year global journey.
But first a short presentation of The World Drum Project:
The World Drum Project came to life after a vison of WhiteCougar, and The World Drum
itself was handcrafted and became the manifistation of the vision, and the project was initiated
in front of the Norwegian Parliament October 21 st 2006 in Oslo, Norway.
The World Drum was ment to travel around the globe to put focus on all polution, poisoning
and destructiuon of Mother Earth and all her diversity caused by human made projects and
development towards a higher standard of living.
The hope was that this focus would become a seed for thoughts that would make it possible to
act and create a sustainable development and future were co-creating and cooperation for the
common good would be the carrying forces.
While the project evolved it also became a project for peace as much as an environmental
project, and they now travel hand in hand. We need peace to create a better environment. The
World Drum have so far visited more than 650 different locations around the globe spread on
all continents. But how many tens or hundreds of thousands of people who actually have
participated, held, played and prayed with The World Drum, we have no idea. But one thing
for sure, the numbers are huge, and continuous growing. The journey of The World Drum
continues....
Now, after soon nine years of coordinating the journey, there is a lot of experiences and
thoughts made, some of this I will try to put into words here:
Humility.
The first that strikes me is humility – humility facing all the warmhearted fantastic humans all
over the globe that so far have attended, participated, supported or in any other way been a
part of The World Drum`s journey, and filled «Her» with prayers, love, healing, hope and
good intentions.
Humility over all the feedback about the amazing and beautiful experiences people have had,
how they have been touched and how it for many have been a life changing experience.
Humility over all the gifts given to The World Drum. All the gifts from the two first years is stored in a museum in Canada, the rest is safe and properly taken care of until the day for exhibition is to come.
Humility because it is the truth that without all these people, this amazing journey would never have taken place. A journey happening across religions, politics, borders and limitations created by human, across cultures and status. From land to land, from people to people, from hand to hand rooted with love for nature and life itself. I feel humility towards all those people who with an open heart have contributed to this ongoing journey. An I feel humility when I see that the journey just keep on crossing borders, meeting new cultures and humans, and will not be stopped by any barriers.
Love.
I experience an enormous love. Every time I am physically able to meet with The WorldDrum again, it is the feeling of growing love that fills me. Love that pour out from "Her",love given from people all over the globe. From their heart to "Her" heart. This heart is common for all of us and its rhythm is the heartbeat of life itself.
Even our world today is filled with huge differences in culture, religion, politics, status and with human made limitations, love is without borders and unconditional that rise above all constructed frames.
It is the love for life and nature that binds us together, no matter who we are, what we are or where we come from.
All the feedback through the years so far could be summarized towards something fundamental that stirs inside us no matter where we are to be found
on the globe and that have weaved a web and created a network and unity across all borders.
I would describe it as the very essence of life – Love.
Love, the seed for all life, for interacting and
co-creating. A universal force that stir deep within
each and one of us feeding the hope that we will
change our ways of living and move forward towards
cooperation and co-creation to the benefit of the
community and for a sustainable earth.
Joy.
The third that strikes me is joy. Such a small but powerful word. Joy because such a simple vision as The World Drum, which is to be shared among and unite people, in fact arehappening, are alive and grasp the very roots in humans existence. Joy that despite all war,terror, violence, environmental pollution and poisoning that we humans have created, we still don’t give up.
There is hope, there is possibilities and we have the resources to change our
way of living to the benefit of community and this little organism in the great universe that we call Mother Earth.
Mother Earth is the right word, since she gives birth and make sure of that we humans have everything we need to live. And this she do in co-creation with Father sun that supplies her with all the energy and warmth she needs to give birth. This is an interaction similar to woman and man who creates new life through union and birth. And when our cycle of life is
over, we go back to Mother Earth and become nourishment for new growth and new life.
Interaction and co-creating generate growth for the community unlike self enrichment and greed who apply through egocentric actions.
Pride.
The fourth I experience and feel is pride. Pride because this project have survived, grows and keep on living almost without any grants of money. It is idealism and warm hearts which is the main cause that the project evolves. But in our society today all goods and services is about money. And yes, it has a cost to send The World Drum around the globe. From The Philippines to The Republic of Tuva, from Canada to South Africa, from Australia to USA,and over all borders in Europe to South America.
How is it that The World Drum`s journey still is ongoing, and that «she» year after year are moving all over our globe? I wrote earlier the project is almost without any grants of money,and this almost consisting of donations. All ceremonies, presentations and talks with TheWorld Drum is to be free of charge, but donations are aloud and given on each location were "She" is hosted.
Donations specifically given to cover the cost of transport of The World
Drum to next location and a new host somewhere around the world.
In this context something else and absolutely fantastic happens. When donations are given and The World Drum travels on, it almost happen every time that there are money left over after paying the cost of transport. In the early beginning of the project we were contacted by a host with the question about our account number, so that they could send us (the project) what was left over from the donations. We were then a little proud being able to say that our project do not have any account, and that there is no money involved in the project. But we asked
then that the money left over was to be given to an organization of charity chosen by the host in the area where The World Drum had been. And that is how it became, how it is and how it is supposed to be. Never the big amounts of money, but everything makes a difference and it makes us proud that the project via its supporters and hosts may be able to contribute in the
local community visited by The World Drum. In addition to all the seeds sown in the people who attend, participate and support when The World Drum arrives to a new location.
Also I would like to inform that the project have got several offers about sponsorships from big companies. We said thanks, but no thanks. Why did we do that? Would it not be comfortable to have an account with money? We said no, because our belief is that if we allow market forces and capitalism into this grassroots-project, the very foundation in the project would collapse. And then the project would die from being a living uniting project of and for people, to become goods in a big game of the market. We were not willing to let that happen, we will still not let this happen, and we will never allow it to happen in the future
either.
Song, music, dance, odors and winds.
It is not only love that fills "Her". "She",The World Drum, is almost like the Cornucopia (the horn of plenty). “She” is filled up with kindness and joy of creativity from the whole globe through contributions of many kinds. When you hold The World Drum in your hands and allow yourself to connect, “She” pours out songs and chanting, dance and movement, music and rhythms, and last but not least odors.
Odors and winds from all corners of the world. Good odors which move with the winds.
Odors of nature, spice, humans, animals, sea and air. They affect our senses and fill our entire body and awareness. It creates vibrations through the invisible strings in life and the universe,connecting the web and creates union. And this is what we need in our world today, union.
No matter how we twist on where we come from, what religion, what kind of politics or culture we belong, at the end of the day we all are humans. Let the universal song and dance fill you up and allow yourself to become a part of humanity who is a small part of the big universe. Let harmony and the heartbeat of love become the rhythm who are to be spread with the winds for a common understanding of our part in the great interaction of universe.
Protection.
In all of this I also have to think about protection, but what do I mean by this? It is my belief that The World Drum are protected by love and kindness. I mention this because for nine
years now The World Drum have been on a journey. She have been crossing borders and cultures, and been experiencing big changes in climatic conditions. Travelled from homeless to political leaders, from small gatherings in nature to challenging experiences in big cities and areas of though political influence.
“She” have been exposed to attempt of corruption. “She” have been arrested and put in quarantine. “She” have been attempted to destruction and tried to be forced to silence.
«She» have travelled more than most in near and distant locations, but never gotten «sick»,never gotten wounded or damaged. And never has “She” lost her rhythm and heartbeat.
Old as young have handled her. “She” have been beaten and touched, danced with and drummed on, transported by airplane, trains, busses, tramways and cars. But “She” is still here in good shape, stronger than ever and keep up her journey forward, carried by love and kindness from all you good people around the world.
Technology.
The World Drum is organic, living and created by skilled handcrafting. “She” is alive and need care and love like all other living beings. “She” share with joy all of the abundance «She» carries with love, healing and prayers from all around the world, “She” is nature, we are nature. Nature is all and all is nature.
But this project can not be mentioned without a big thank you to technology. Because it is because of this it is possible to sit deep in the woods of Norway
and coordinate the journey of The World Drum, as well as being in contact with all the hosts and theentire global World Drum family.
Thanks to
technology it is possible to communicate quickly when needed.
Technology is after all an interaction between us humans and resources from nature.
We can`t stop development, but we can change the direction it takes and how to use this for the common good. Let us learn from history and use technology in a way that is useful,
sustainable and co-creating.
Kids, teenagers, adults and old.
The World Drum have through her journey steadily expanded her audience from the
beginning to be a part of gatherings with adults, to become a messenger to daycare, schools,
universities and elderly homes. Anyone and everyone should be given the possibility to
participate, and no group whatever age should be left outside. The World Drum exist for
everybody and belongs to everybody.
It is incredibly gratifying that more and more hosts in addition to conduct ceremonies also
bring The World Drum for talks to schools and daycares, universities and public buildings.
“She” is introduced on festivals and in organizations, and everywhere “She” go, “She” is met by love, kindness and joy. Is there really anything more important in the world today than spreading joy, love and message about peace? Peace between people and peace between people and nature.
A sacred object.
The World Drum have through her journey developed to be considered as a sacred object. In the beginning
I personally felt this a bit odd and strange since sacred objects often are seen as objects only to be touched by some few “chosen” people.
But the foundation in the project that this was for the people by the people, was so strong and powerful that this together with information made it clear that
The World Drum belongs to everybody. “She” can be touched by anyone, “She” can be played by anyone and “She” can be prayed with by anyone.
And it is joyful and touching and see how “She” travels from homeless to saints, from child to old,from handicapped to well function people, from craftsmen to CIOs, from politicians to artists. No limits or limitations. We are all humans and we all
need care and love, and this is to be shared unconditionally.
Very early during the journey it was created a cover for the skin of The World Drum to protect her during transport. This cover is made of leather and the symbol of The WorldDrum is beautifully “woven” into it. Today it is no less than amazing to lift this cover in your hands, hold it and really feel all the love, joy, humility and prayers that have been written and drew on it by people from all over the world. Both sides of the cover is now filled with greetings. The oldest of them slowly disappear and become a part of the cover and the spirit of it, while new writings and drawings are added all the time. Together they create a living cultural historic object. In the same way as The World Drum continuous are added love from
new people through being held, played and prayed with, the cover also have this through the writings and drawings added. And when you take a part in this you also take part in all that
have been and in all that is to come, and it all unite.
One definition of the word sacred is: “Sacred means to be in connection with gods in a way that expand the limitations of experiences we have in our daily life”
And yes, The World Drum expand the limitations of experience we have in our daily life, and is to be considered as sacred as also her cover is sacred. Sacred in a way that are available for everybody. Sacred because «She» is available for everybody. Sacred because it create a connection with the divine in ourselves and nature – love – the essence of all life.
Does it matter?
Many times during The World Drum`s journey people have said: «is there any point in doing this?» «Do you think this is going to make any difference?» «This is just a waste of time!» etc
etc.
But now after 9 years of travel, we can say: Yes, it matters and makes a difference, it creates change, it creates union and it creates hope. The World Drum have as mentioned earlier visited many different people and cultures, have been in parliaments and supreme court, and every time The World Drum meet new people, new seeds are sown,Then these seeds have been brought or travelled with people and the winds throughout the world and more and more people contact us to be able to be a part of the journey and ask to host The World Drum
Through the years we have received huge numbers of written experiences from people who have attended ceremonies and gatherings around the world. Thousands of photos, lots of videos, drawings, poems and songs, and it all is about The World Drum. I am touched and it is heartwarming to see all of this. There are many thoughts about what to do with all of this together with all the gifts given. For sure it is to be exhibited in public one way or another, but how and when, we have not decided yet. To give you a little insight in the feedbacks from people`s experiences I enclose a selection from around the world with closing words to follow:
Statements from people who have participated with The World Drum:
“The ceremony was attended by approximately 100 individuals who were all experienced
shamanic practitioners and members of our society.
The group included individuals from all over the United States, Europe, and Asia.
We were delighted to have a shaman from Nepal, a Rinpoche from Tibet and a wisdom elder
from the Crow People of Montana with us during this ceremony.
Our experience with The World Drum during this week was inspiring. It leads us to believe that
individuals and small groups of individuals who are inspired by authentic “heart-based”
intentions can change the course of human actions on our planet. Working in cooperation with
the Mother Earth and with the Earth changing energies that have existed since antiquity, we
can find hope within our hearts that the Mother Earth will remain a wondrous home for our
descendents for generations to come. May the work of The World Drum Project contribute to
changes that will provide our grandchildren (for countless generations to come) a beautiful
place to live in harmony with the "forces of nature" and the great Mother Earth.”
“ L I G H T O N T H E P A T H ” M e n l a M o u n t a i n R e t r e a t ,
C a t s k i l l M o u n t a i n s , N e w Y o r k , U S A
“As this World Drum spent the weekend with us, I thought a lot about the message it carries with it. It is both a sad and hopeful message. It is a stern, yet loving message. It is the message Indigenous people have whispered for centuries.... Whatever we do to the earth, to the web of life, we do to ourselves. So love, honor and respect
Mother Earth, and all who dwell within and upon her will return that love, honor and respect to you. It is the law of nature, the law of our creator. It is the sacred circle of all life.
As I thought more and more about this message, it became more and more clear to me what the real message of the World Drum is. The real message is that we are all the World Drum. The sacred heartbeat which sounds on the skin of this humble, powerful drum, exists in the center of every being on the planet. It is in you, and it is inme. It is in every tree, every rock, every bird and every fish. The sacred heartbeat of the World Drum beats in us
all, and it is up to each of us to stop long enough to quiet our minds so we can hear that still small voice of the
Spirit which calls us back to the place of balance, respect, humility, honor, courage and wisdom. All who have
touched the wood and skin of the World Drum and played and prayed with it are connected as relatives. In
Lakota, there is a term we use quite often. It is mitakuye oyasin. What it means is this - all are my relatives. And
when we say all, we mean all beings which exist in our world.”
- John Two-Hawks, Eureka Springs, USA
“It is not the earth that needs healing, she always recovers, it is us who need healing -
and a big change in our ways."
- Thomas Eriksson, Skelefteå, Sweden
“It was a moving and powerful experience for all!
Many thanks and blessings to our sisters and brothers of the WORLD DRUM PROJECT and Dr.
Greg Miller, for allowing us to host this sacred treasure here in Nashville!
We are honored to have participated in this project and send our love and blessings for it's
continued journey of healing across the planet.”
- Janice MIckle, Founder/CEO
Antara Center, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, USA
“I would say every time we say that the earth or persons around us needs healing we have to
look in the depth of our self. When we heal the surrounding heals.”
- Thomas Zetterström, Galstrøm, Sweden
“The smell of burning birch is our greeting to those who are hosting the Worlddrum after us.
The night didn´t end. For hours the celebration og the Sami national day kept on and left us
with a feeling of gratefullness, a gratefullness for being hosts for the Worlddrum on such an
important day.”
- Liv Slettli, Gratangen, Norway
“The World Drum is an incredibly powerful messenger! It has been received by all in such
depth . . our drum ceremonies have been profound.
This drum has changed me, and I'm sure it will change all who have the honor of caretaking it
and facilitating ceremony. . .”
- Robin Youngblood, Hawai
“We sincerely wishe to thank you all you once again for this blessed instrument,
a beautiful tool of empowerment and healing.”
- Frasier Bruce, Pakiri Beach, East Coast New Zealand
“We're sending a big prayer that your community's visit with the World Drum is a powerful
one!!”
- Evelyn Rysdyk & Allie Knowlton, Spirit Passages, Y a r m o u t h , M a i n e , U S A
“The people participating in the ceremony all felt the great energy from The World Drum. They
told about a great and healing energy that came from The World Drum as soon as I started to
beat. For my own part I can tell that I felt this strong energy even when I just hold The Drum
and during the ceremony.
When I handed The World Drum to another participant I started dancing and felt that I danced
the whole globe around, just as The World Drum have done.
When the ceremony was over we sat down around the fire. Some people cried, some people
gently beat their own drums. As people were leaving the ceremony a woman came forward and
started to beat The World Drum as she sung. She kept on singing until she united with Mother
Earth, and it was a great healing.”
- Walti, Esslingen, Switzerland
“The World Drum carries with it a unique spirit. It is filled with the songs and prayers of many human beings
that share one heart and one mind through it. The vibration of the World Drum carries down deep into the
Mother Earth helping to heal her wounded spirit. Hosting the World Drum, becoming friends with it has been an
immeasurable honor and an unforgettable experience. We learned that the World Drum is happiest when it is
outside its travel case absorbing the energies around it. The World Drum likes to have its hide rubbed, it likes to
hear the prayers and songs of the people, it likes to be played. When it is honored the vibration within it grows
stronger, louder, and more awesome than what one person can imagine.”
- Becky Flaming Owls, Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
“Words, Comments, Experiences, nothing describes the Power of the World Drum. Each day
was a completely different experience from the time it arrived on Wednesday, July 25 until we
dropped it off at UPS”
- Rev.Marilee Snyder-Nieciak – Michigan City, Indiana, USA
“The World Drum is a symbol, and yet it is empowering us as it continues to be transformed by
the sacred ceremonies happening in its journey around the world.
Here, as the drum was passed around the circle, each person breathed a prayer or blessing
into it, as we sang Te Aroha – unconditional love, truth and peace.
May your prayers be added to the flow.”
- Jamilla, Sarmad, Devi, Rahima, Bev, The Sufi Sharda Centre, Tuakau,
South of Auckland, New Zealand
“Thank you people behind The World Drum Project, for all you have done in creating this
project and keeping it going. I Feel that part of the drum will be with me. It was one of the
most powerful objects I have ever encountered. I meditated deeply with it
while it was here. Many people spoke of its power to bring people of all faiths, colors,
economic and ethnic backgrounds together in peace and joy and unity.
”Thank you from my heart. Blessings to you for You Walk in Beauty.
- Sharon Borggard, Holderness, New Hampshire, USA
This is just some few statements and I feel humble and privileged to be able to take a part in
all of this. It provides and brings hope. Let us give nourishment to these seeds of hope so they
may grow and become good thoughts leading to good actions. A seed here and a seed there
may become new plants that generates more new seeds that can be spread with the four free
winds.
Like an old tree that have fallen to the ground, rots and become nourishment for new seeds,
our thoughts and actions are as well. Some times our thoughts and actions may be of such a
character that they do not benefit ourselves or the community. These kind of thoughts and
actions we may let fall, crumble and become nourishment for new thoughts and new actions.
It is never to late to change thoughts and actions to something that will help us to co-create a
better world for all. Thoughts and actions filled with love for life and hope for the future that
give us the opportunity to create a sustainable development on our amazing common
settlement – Mother Earth.
Together we can tear down barriers and old patterns of action, create something new and
fruitful, create hope instead of fear. Let us take wisdom from history and look forward to a
world in harmony, peace and balance.
From our heart we would like to thank each and one of you who in one way or another
support, contribute, participate and involve in The World Drum Project. Because you are the
ones that carry The World Drum forward and make it happen, and we rejoice from our heart
to see that it makes a difference.
On behalf of The World Drum Project
Morten Wolf Storeide