The Hero's Journey
In Dec 2011 I organised The Wee Drum Gathering at Wiston Lodge in Lanarkshire , Scotland...a call to adventure if you will. This was the call....
The inspiration behind this weekend is ‘Sharing.’
A Rhythmical Pot Luck if you like.
We will co-facilitate the weekend by offering to share our rhythmical passions with each other, be that a drum pattern, a song, a poem, a game...who knows? All is possible including the fear of sharing and the choice not to share.
We are community. Everyone matters.
Bring an open heart and a desire to play and we will have all we need to create a deeper experience of community in the moment.
If you have a certain something you would like to share, let us know in the space included on the booking form.
We look forward to sharing a Magical time with you all
Paul , Jane and Tom x
So, we gathered: we drummed: we sang: we danced: we laughed: we cried: we shared our musical spirit, food and drink and created a blueprint that was forged in our hearts and manifested through our shared Spirit...This is now The Hero's Journey, a Transformational Community Music workshop.
Our next weekend wil be held in Ireland in March 2012.
Here is a little feedback from my co-facilitators and course participants from our first gathering.
From Jane:You. are. my. favourite. facilitator. So there!
When I watch you, I am watching an artist at work, and I learn so much even from the tiniest tweaks of the circle. You are also a wonderful, wonderful teacher. You have a great presence in feeling into where people are 'at', and for what they might need.
You are a man of total integrity, (so much so that it makes me want to emulate that aspect of you, and to live up to your example) and it shines through the way you live your life - and in the results that you get (i.e. all of this gorgeousness in this community). You deserve it. You are a consummate servant - you've shared part of where that comes from, but I've witnessed you grow into it beautifully - it was wonderful to see you sit and 'take' all the lovely stuff that was directed your way in the circle - and really take it in. You deserve it.
You're like a big, strong, oak tree - standing tall, sheltering others with a great big heart......And you're funny as f*ck! x x x
From Debbie: Paul, you are a naughty loveable scallywag. When I went to your workshop in DCW last year, there was something about you and the way you taught that made me like you instantly. I could see the wise wizard as well as the trickster, but most of all I could see your wide open heart. Over the last year on facebook I have felt such love and joy and pride in your words when you talk of your family your children, and this reveals a much deeper gentleness. Personally I think your a wise old teddy bear with a serious attitude and I love the warrior in you. Oh yea...you have a damned fine sense of humour also...
From Phil: Paul John Dear, I can't go to sleep tonight until I tell you how much I love you. You showed me care and love at Wiston in 2010 and looked after me. You knew me like no other did, and I felt special. You came to Scotland to help me seed my circle in Biggar, and not only did you give me support, I could never repay you and wouldn't even know where to start. I will always been there for you my brother. There is no one like you Paul, you are a true gentleman and I am privileged to know you......to be continued.
From John: Paul, have to let you know, I knew you long before you knew me. Many years ago, I was at a Womad in Reading. At that point in my life, I had been playing hand percussion for along time (since my teens)...you know, bongos, congas etc. I was playing with other players but I was the only drummer.
Then we went to Womad, and it was after Whirl-y-Gig. We had been hyped up by all kinds of trance and world tinged techno, dancing like fools til 2am. We were finally spilled back into the campsite ...all hyped up and nowhere to go...and then we heard some drumming...
I said to Kath...come on lets go and see what this is. We weaved our way through the throngs til we came across a tight circle of drummers in the darkness, and around it, a crowd of people, all smiling and dancing. This was a spontaneous party with an amazing tribal feel. There was a magic here that was palpable.
We stayed a long time, and I watched this curious character who seemed to be orchestrating the players. I had no idea what was going on but it was heady and mysterious and exhilarating.
That was you and you woke me up to the world of tribal drumming. You really have no idea how that altered the course of my life.
From Philo: Paul i wonder how it seems that you are both young & old in one go? No we didnt chat yet i think we met all the same. Immense life, bold as brass, another funny funny man, we hugged at the parting of the ways & even as we said goodby i felt welcomed. That boldness, mischief, playfulness - whatever it is, is so refreshing. I look forward to meeting you properly. Til then, keep keeping on, its wonderfull!
From Felix: What do I say to you, my dearest Paul? You had me in tears with your mirror, and you have me in stitches with your clownish surreal humour, and incredulous and moved, deeply touched when your little boy comes out and you bare your heart so innocently, let your vulnerability to be seen, and then I feel really really safe and cared for when your solid, wise, compassionate self (ageless) also steps in. THANK YOU for your wise, supportive mentorship, your perfectly tuned teaching skills, and for your friendship. I know you offer this unconditionally and perhaps sometimes to the point of burn-out! Despite the parts of you who seem to now and again seek to withdraw into darker corner and hide, you give with a firm and clear but kind of limitless spirit that had me wonder, often, how do you manage to keep some of the goodies for yourself? I hope you are right now receiving this love, and mine, with the same delight you give it, binge on it, let it feed you and lick your whisks after ;-) You have my friendship always x
From Jana: Dear Paul, I mentioned in Tom's feedback that I've only met a handful of good leaders and to me you are definitely one of them as well. You seem to have a deep love for people, for life, for music and rhythm, a great sense of humour and I think you have an amazing gift with words - deeply poetic and honest. I just love the way you are able to express appreciation for others. Thank you so much for initiating this wonderful weekend, for believing in people and for caring enough to bother... Thank you also for a wee drumming lesson, for taking time out for that. You are a fine example of manhood... (wish I knew how to insert a smiley face...). Lots of love.