Release the breaks, because this is it! It’s 2012, and we have the opportunity to make this our best year ever. Are you up for the challenge?

I’ve got to tell you, 2011 was pretty darn rough on me.

The winds of change ripped through my family structure like never before. There were some heartbreaking moments that made me dig seriously deep into my strength reservoir.

I’m happy to tell you that I’m on my feet, and feeling stronger than ever!

I didn’t do it alone.
I found the greatest gift of inspiration that I could have ever asked for.

His name is Steve Pressfield.

Have you hear of him?

He’s an outstanding author, and an absolute gift for every creative artist on this planet.
I’m not exaggerating.

This quote from author Robert Bruce describes him perfectly as,

“the type that shatters your illusions about the very nature of work, and the reasons why you do what you do. And he gives you hope, because the work that you’re doing is actually far more important than you could have believed.”

Amen.

I wouldn’t be recommending him to you, if I didn’t have absolute proof that his books, “The War of Art” and “Do the Work” can help you … do YOUR work!

Here’s how it’s described:

“Do The Work takes you step-by-step from the project’s inception to its ship date, hitting each predictable ‘Resistance point’ along the way and giving techniques and drills for overcoming each obstacle.”

Do you want to know where my proof is?

I wrote a book!

Yep. I sure did.

Right in the mix of my research studies, my intense practicing schedule, and all the complexities that life was throwing my way,

I wrote a book entitled-

Personal Empowerment: Life’s Lessons from a Drummer in Heels

I can’t wait to share it with you!

But, I don’t want this post to be about me.

What I want is to introduce you to an author that has two of the most important books you’ll ever read.

“The War of Art: Break Through Your Creative Blocks and Win Your Creative Battle”and

“Do the Work”Both can be found on his website: Steven Pressfield

He can help you move your creative project towards completion.

You can’t do it alone.

Resistance will get to you, and the world will miss out on the gifts you’re meant to share.
I don’t want that to happen!

Learn how to take foot of the break, and make 2012 your year to reach the finish line!

As for me:

This I’m going to be offering you inspiring brain research, and more resources to help support your creative endeavours. I’m returning to my teaching practice, continuing my research on the neuroscience of drumming, and putting my sophomore album together to go along with my book.

It’s going to be an exciting year!

I hope sometime in the near future our paths will cross in person.
I’m looking forward to it!

In the meantime treat yourself to these two books.

Go for it. You deserve it!

Stay inspired,
Pamela Lynn

What if I told you that it was possible to have an intense psychological orgasm from playing a musical instrument. Would you believe me?

What if I told you that I, (and many others) often experience this phenomenon while playing our instrument of choice. Would you be willing to step forward, and admit that you’ve had this experience too?

If you’ve never experienced this state of pleasure before, would you want to learn how?

First let me define the experience of a psychological orgasm to make sure we are on the same page.

I want to make it clear that I am NOT referring to a physical orgasmic response due to sexual stimulation.
I don’t need to repeat that sentence, do I? Good. You get it.

What I am referring to is mental, and emotional state of euphoria, followed by an irresistible state of contentment, and well- being.

This intense sensation of pleasure is known to be caused by peak experiences.

Here’s the good news: It’s not just available to those with high levels of expertise.

It is available for everyone. You just need to learn how.

Welcome to my world of drumming.

This brings me to my topic of research.

Would you like to know where I’m at with it?

I am now researching the neurobiological effects within the motivational reward circuitry inrelation to the pleasurable peak experience of what is referred to by Mihaly
Csikszentmihalyi as the “Flow” theory, when playing a musical instrument. I am investigating complex questions so that we can better understand the health-relevant benefits that are available when utilizing the discipline of rhythmic entrainment as a contemplative meditational discipline.

In doing so, it will allow us to better support stress reduction and further enhance an emotionaland physical wellbeing of all populations, including people with life-threatening diseases.

The art of rhythmic entrainment utilizes deep, concentrated, and complete relaxation techniques as an effective way to manage stress, relieve pain, maintain health, and peace of mind.

My goal is to create a therapeutic protocol that utilizes rhythmic entrainment as a contemplative discipline. By creating a practical an accessible program designed to lower stress and rejuvenate the mind and body, the opportunity exists to help people regain lost vitality and further enjoy long term health benefits.

I assert that once a plausible causation and correlation isdocumented between the biological health  benefits of rhythmic entrainment used as a contemplative discipline, it will be become highly successful alternative to traditional forms of meditative practice. After a 20 + years of experience as world percussionist/drum solo artist, I am confident that I have deep domain knowledge in this field of contemplative study. I hope that my discoveries will enhance the lives of many.

I will try to keep updating my blog as I make my way through this maze of research.

Please know if I get behind it’s only because I’m busy making progress.

You know how it is.

Three steps forward,two steps back.

As for psychological orgasms…

I want to encourage you to consider really paying attention to the mental state that you experience will practicing/playing your instrument of choice.

Your expectations shape your experiences.

Allow yourself to experience all that is possible.

Your health may depend on it.

What are your thoughts on this topic:

Do you agree?
Disagree?

Please share your story below. I’d love to hear from you.

I have a confession to make. This might sound a little weird, but I’ve got a thing for slaying giants. 

There is just something about taking on, and bringing down the impossible, the over the top radical, the unconventional, unmanageable, and seemingly unbeatable big hairy unruly G-I-A-N-T of an obstacle that’s standing in my path, that I find absolutely thrilling.

You know what I’m talking about, right?

 I know you like to be challenged too.

 I know that given a choice you would much rather battle a giant if he was in your way of something that you wanted, than to take a free pass towards something that gives you very little satisfaction.

I know you like the taste victory.

Maybe it’s the ultimate need for strategy that makes the battle so exhilarating.

or

Maybe we just like the fact that every single move we make towards it… counts.

 It puts us in control. It makes us feel powerful.

Either way, even when we’re scared to death, we still play to win. Right?    

Here’s my giant:

Three years ago I was suffering from acute chronic pain in my left shoulder that was so intense it made picking up a cup of coffee seem unbearable. My doctor told me that my shoulder injury had completely ruined any chance I had of continuing a career as a drummer.  She told me not only had I torn the ligaments in my rotator cuff, but that I’d completely worn them out! She said that they could operate, but even then there would be very little chance that I would ever be able to continue drumming. She told me it was best if I give it up, and look for a new career.

Insert picture of a stupidly shocked look on my face saying…

 “Um… excuse me?”

I told her she could cut off my hands, and I would still find a way to continue drumming.

Yes, I know that’s a little dramatic, but you understand that kind of passion, don’t you?

I know you do.

I know that if you r-e-a-l-l-y wanted something badly enough, you would be willing to do whatever it takes to get it back.

We are hardwired to fight for what we value most.

If our behaviours are not in alignment with what we value most, we suffer consequence of internal conflict.

It hurts like hell. I know this from years of experience.

Living by our values makes life worth living.

It gives us PURPOSE, and the PASSION to make the changes that need to take place in order to make PROGRESS.

It gives us Hope.

It gives us Peace of Mind.

Here’s a little video I made to show you the progress I have been making as I re-train and hone my skills on the Tombak drum. No showmanship. Just technique for now, but at least it doesn’t aggravate my shoulder. Thank God!

I’m either going to get where I want to go or I’ll die trying.

I have yet to slay this giant, but I like to think  I’ve at least wounded it. :)

Your turn:

Would you be willing to slay a giant?

Do you have a story to share?

Please leave your comments below. I’ve love to hear from you.

Have you ever been seduced? Lord knows, I have. The experience can be a bit unnerving at first, especially if you’re a skeptic, and you’re suspicious of unforeseen outcomes. On the other hand, being seduced can be an incredibly delicious experience, if who or what, is seducing you affects you in a postive way. When it comes to the art of practicing your chosen discipline, deliberate practice is the ultimate tease.

If you enjoy the thrill of a challenge, and you want to get the most out of your practice time, then you’ll want to hear me out. I’ve got to warn you, I’m a little biased regarding the need to walk on the path towards mastery. It happens to coincide with my core values: the pursuit of excellence, self-discipline, courage, commitment, persistence, integrity, and long-term fulfillment.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still not even close to where I want to be with my drumming skills, and yes I still fantasize about the day I have the freedom to play the music I hear in my head, but this isn’t about that. It’s also not about trying to be perfect, or trying to get anywhere. To me, choosing to walk on the path towards mastery really just represents a person’s values and belief system.

So, what does all this have to do with being seduced by deliberate practice?
Everything.
Let me try to explain.

In order to walk the path towards mastery you must devote yourself to honing your skills.

Practice. Practice. Practice. That’s the mantra right?
We’re told we must practice in order to improve our skills, so that we can get from point A to point B.
Many of us adopted this philosophy because we weren’t offered anything else.
Sure this philosophy may work for some, but I think it’s limiting.

From my experience, the alternative lies within surrendering to deliberate practice itself.
It’s only when you stop trying to reach ahead and, instead, allow yourself to bathe in the ecstasy of the moment that you will truly feel the intense pleasure you can experience from the art of practicing.

Don’t do it to get from point A to point B.
Don’t do it to improve your skills.

Respect the process. Respect your needs.

Fully engage yourself in the game.

Don’t hold back. Don’t be afraid to trust the unknown.

Let the challenge of perfecting each note entice you.

Allow the music to seduce you.

Let it tease you.

Chase it.

Then stop and let the music surround you.

Stop resisting.
Stop trying so hard.

Channel your energy. Channel your desire.

Give yourself completely to every single note you play.
Spiritually. Physically. Intellectually. Emotionally.

The goal is to create a heightened sense of awareness and appreciation for the experience itself.

Deepen your level of intimacy.

Reach towards an optimal experience.

Let it conquer you.
Trust me.
You won’t regret it.

Just a suggestion you may want to consider trying.

Signed,
Ms. Conquered (and loving it!)

“When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ~ Lao Tzu

Your turn:
Any thoughts to add? Please leave a comment.
I’d love to hear from you.

It’s always a bit difficult to narrow down what information is worth sharing with you, but I hope that you will find the following interesting, and valuable. If you are interested in looking at my research on drumming from a new perspective, then this post is for you. I’m sure you will agree that while searching for answers it’s important to keep an open mind.

Here are my Top 10 Favorite New Discoveries. Check these out!

1. The Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC), a scholarly organization dedicated to the study of music cognition. (Yes, I’m proud to be a member.)
2. The Library of Congress: Music and the Brain. Offering 17 free podcasts lectures, conversations and symposia about the explosion of new research at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and music.
3. The Power of Music: Pioneering Discoveries in the New Science of Song by Elena Mannes. This book offers an astonishing amount of resources, and fascinating information on the undeniable effects of music. FYI: She does include Dr. Barry Bittman’s HealthRHYTHMS research regarding the postive effects of group empowerment drumming.
4. “The Music Instinct: Science and Song”. Researchers and scientists from a variety of fields are using ground-breaking techniques that reveal startling new connections between music and the human mind, the body and the universe. Together with an array of musicians from rock and rap to jazz and classical, they are putting music under the microscope. These videos are outstanding! They offer a wealth of insight on the science of music.
5. The Beautiful Brain – An online magazine and monthly podcast exploring the art and science of the human mind.
   
   ******* Are you ready now for a new perspective? *******

   My research topic involves the study of how rhythmic entrainment (drumming) affects the human reward pathways. To be more exact, I am researching how the neurotransmitter Dopamine is involved in this process. My theory is based on the hypothesis that the drummer’s “high” (the feeling of euphoria and pleasure) that we experience, is caused by an increase of dopamine in the brain, not just adrenaline, like so many believe to true. I will be blogging more on this topic in the future, but for now I’d like to give you a quick glance at what I’ve been digging into.

6. YOUR PLEASURE PATHWAY… (Sex Adds Years to Your Life). Brain scientists have long known the human brain is equipped with a system of pleasure centers, also known as reward pathways, but until recently this knowledge was mainly used in the study of addiction.
7. Neurochemical Commands: Your World Revolves Around Dopamine. Sex in the Brain
8. Researchers have known for some time that the neurotransmitter dopamine is centrally involved in learning and working memory, Roshan Cools tells us, and that dopamine-responsive circuits connect these parts of the human brain to other structures like the striatum…
9. Monitoring Dopamine Release During Reward Learning – Paul Phillips has been trying to track dopamine release (a neurotransmitter linked to learning) in such divergent learning processes.
10. The Brain Reward Circuit. The Brain From Top To Bottom

***
Know that I am trusting the process of this research. If you have information or even random thoughts or insights that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.

I’m not writing this to cause trouble. What I want is the opportunity for you and I to have an open conversation about a taboo topic. I’m sure you know what it’s like to have a secret burning inside of you. Don’t you? We all have them. I have one I want to share with you. This has been a long time coming.

The other day I was having a great conversation with a drumming colleague of mine who innocently asked, “How good is your drumming technique?”

“Not very good.” I answered.

But,

What I really wanted was to tell him the truth. I wanted to be heard.

I wanted to tell him that ten years ago I had an amazing mentor. For three years he took me under his wing, and taught me his unique blend of Middle Eastern, and West African style of drumming. He told me he would only share his style with me if I promised to tell the world it was him that taught me. He said he just didn’t have the magic it took to make his mark in the drumming industry. He told me I did.

And then…

He came on to me.

I turned him down flat.

And…

From that moment on, he ceased to acknowledge my existence. Completely.

It was a defining moment of betrayal in my mind. I just couldn’t understand how you could go from spending so much time together to pretending you had never even met. I was crushed.

He knew how much I valued mastering technique. Without his mentorship, I thought I’d never be able to reach my goals as a drummer. I thought, I needed him.

I also thought that maybe I did something wrong to cause it to happen.
That’s when anger set in.
Yep, it was right about then that I set out to try to master technique on my own.
Bad choice.

I repeatedly said to myself, “I don’t need anyone!”
Bad choice.

For a very long time I locked horns with pretty well every male instructor I encountered after that. If they thought I would bow down to them, I’d lock horns. If they came on to me, I’d lock horns. If I even suspected they were going to “power trip” me, or any other female students, I’d lock horns with them.

This is where the slippery slope comes into play.

I need your help to try to figure this out.

In retrospect, I can easily see that I made a lot of poor decisions after that event happened.
I didn’t handle it well. Instead of dealing with it, I buried it. My bad.
I’ve learned my lesson. The hard way.

This is what I can’t figure out…
How can women possibly fit into an industry that is so heavily dominated by the “boys’ club”?

If we complain, we sound like we’re whining.
We’re told to man up. To never show weakness.
Don’t look feminine, don’t express sexuality, and never bite the hand that feeds you.

Don’t they understand just how much we want, and need their support?
Don’t they understand that, given the chance, we desperately want their mentorship?
Do they not know how much we admire, and respect them for the knowledge they have to offer?

Maybe they don’t. Maybe that’s part of the problem.

I want to do my part to change this.

If you are a male drumming instructor reading this, I want you to know that I, and many other women, appreciate and respect you for how much you have sacrificed to master your craft. Thank you for inspiring me and for giving us the opportunity to learn from you.

Please pass this message along.

I need you. Women need you.
We are drummers, just like you. We are here to stay.

OK.
Your turn.
Would you please share your thoughts on the topic?
I’d love to hear from you.

(BTW: I now have a wonderful, and very trustworthy mentor.)

If you hesitated answering yes to this question, then please keep reading! Brain science is advancing at an accelerated pace, and whether you realize it or not, we’re in for some radical changes in the near future.

I’ve really been wanting to share with you some of the background material I have been exploring, gathering, and deciphering, but up until now, I haven’t been able to figure out a simple way to present it to you!

Keep in mind I am a voracious reader, and I’ve devoured a tremendous amount of information. I’ve been averaging about 8-10 non-fiction books a month, for years. I’m not boasting, but where do I begin?

I know you value useful information that is applicable to you,

And

I also know you appreciate inspiring material, but you prefer more content than fluff.

Am I right?

Then here’s what I’ve come up with:

My Top 5 Essential Reads!

(Aka: 5 profound, yet easily digestible books involving the topic of neuroscience. )

1. The Neuro Revolution: How Brain Science Is Changing Our World
By Zack Lynch

Zack Lynch is the founder of HealthRally, a neurosoftware company focused on wellness motivation. He is also the founder of the Neurotechnology Industry Organization, a global trade association representing companies involved in neuroscience, brain research institutes and patient advocacy groups.

Brace yourself! This is an exceptional book to read if you’re prepared for an exciting, yet some what unnerving look at what we are headed towards.

2.MINDFIELD: How Brain Science is Changing Our World

by Lone Frank

Lone Frank is a journalist, and author with a Ph.D. in neurobiology, and a background in research.

Product Description:

Mindfield is the first book to document this coming age of ‘neurocentrism’. In it the award-winning science writer Lone Frank surveys how brain researchers are dissecting everything that makes us human and anchoring all sorts of phenomena we have previously considered incorporeal in soggy biology. She explores the influence these neuroscientific findings are having on society, reveals how this in turn is changing both the structure and the function of our brains, and speculates on what this cognitive revolution means for us all.

This book is mind blowing! Another shocking, yet thrilling look into the future of the neurorevolution.

3. This Is Your Brain On Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature

by Daniel Levitin

Ok, I realize this counts as two books, but believe me you are going to want to read both!
Daniel J Levin:Is prominent American cognitive psychologist, neuroscientist, record producer, musician, and writer.
If you are not familiar with the research field involving the “Neuroscience of Music”, this is a great starting point!

4. The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
by Norman Doidge, MD

This book is a New York Times, and International Bestseller!
Product Description:

The discovery of neuroplasticity, that our thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains, even into old age, is the most important breakthrough in our understanding of the brain in four hundred years. Dr. Norman Doidge introduces principles we can all use to overcome brain limitations and explores the profound brain implications of the changing brain in an immensely moving book that will permanently alter the way we look at human possibility and human nature.

You must read this paradigm shifting book!

5. The Brain in Love (Formerly Titled: Sex on the Brian)

by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a child and adult psychiatrist, self-help advisor, author and medical director of the Amen Clinic.

Product Description:

You hold the key to stronger relationships, deeper connections, and heightened intimacy.
Everyone wants to know how to improve his or her love life, but so few of us understand the integral role the brain plays in attraction, keeping us excited about our partner, and helping us feel a strong connection. Based on Dr. Daniel Amen’s cutting-edge neuroscience research, The Brain in Love shares twelve lessons that help you enhance your love life through understanding and improving brain function. Filled with practical suggestions and information on how to have lasting and more fulfilling relationships,

Read this book if you value human relationships! It’s a facinating book on the topic of lust, love, emotional, and physical intimacy.
Need I say more?

I hope you take my suggestions, and go sink your teeth into them.
There is enough intellectual soul food here, to keep you well fed for a while.

Let me know when you are hungry for more!

Do you have a “must read” you want to share?
Please don’t hold back. I want to know what it is!

I’ve always hated the quote, “It’s not about the destination; it’s the journey that counts.”

Have you ever noticed when people preach it to you as advice, there seems to be a touch of condescension, and shame attached to it?

It’s as if they are really trying to say, “You’re just not grateful for what you have; you need to stop trying so hard to get to where you want to go.”

Would they give this advice to an Olympic hopeful?
I don’t think so.

Maybe they are well intentioned, but if you give this kind of advice to a musician or an artist, it has a nasty way of breeding compliancy, and shame.

Can you guess who helps inspire me to fight off this kind of mental mindset?

Bruce Lee.

Yep.
He is my iconic hero.

I like to imagine him as my personal mentor.

He expects only the very best from me, because he knows I have it within me to give.

And…

He never shames me into believing that I should settle for less than who I am capable of becoming.

My point is this:

If your destination involves your personal dreams, and highest aspirations then I say:
Fight like hell for your destination; don’t let the journey bury you alive!

Here is a video I think you’ll enjoy…

A Lazy Piece of Meat: What a perfect description of the human brain!

This description comes from neuroscientist Gregory Bern’s book, “Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently.”

I am an avid reader of anything that can help a person learn how to use their brain more efficiently in order to achieve their goals. I loved this book!

If you value imagination, creativity, productivity and problem solving strategies, as much as I do, then you’ll be interested in what I have to share.

Why is this information valuable?

Because in order to push beyond your preconceived limitations, it helps to understand how your brain works in order to maximize its potential.

The Top Ten Lessons I Learned From Neuroscientist, Gregory Bern

1. The brain is fundamentally a lazy piece of meat that doesn’t like to waste energy. Energy is precious, so efficiency rules the land.

2. The brain sees things that are most familiar to it and it will take short cuts whenever it can, based on what it already knows.

3. The efficiency principle, coupled with an immense amount of information and experiences, means the brain needs to categorize.

4. How you categorize objects determines what you see, and since imagination comes from perception, it makes it difficult to think differently.

5. Breakthroughs in perception and creativity can be increased by stimulating your brain with unfamiliar content that it doesn’t know how to interpret.

6. Unfamiliarity forces the brain to discard its usual categories of perception and create new ones.

7. Creativity requires you to have the ability to break through categorizations and see things not for what you think they are, but for what they might be.

8. The possibilities for creative thinking are enhanced when the brain doesn’t have connections in place from past experiences.

9. The best way to jolt the brain out of preconceived expectations is to bombard it with new experiences.

10. To trigger a new perception of a problem, your brain needs to be confronted with new stimuli to entice it to reorganize its perception.

For more information visit Greogory Berns Homepage :http://www.ccnl.emory.edu/greg/
Amazon.com:http://www.amazon.com/Iconoclast-Neuroscientist-Reveals-Think-Differently
Amazon.ca:http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1422133303

Ready?

Case in point: Watch this…

I have something I want to share with you. One of my advisors has convinced me that the best way to organize my research project, is to plan to write a book based on my discoveries.

It’s a daunting task to undertake. Yet, if I push through my voice of resistance, I can understand the strength in this idea. I’ll need to thoroughly investigate my theories, and provide empirical evidence to support them. By fully understanding and articulating the hard science behind what I am so passionate about, it will enable me to back up what I have to share with others.

It feels like I am launching into the void. Believe me, I wouldn’t even attempt this idea if I didn’t believe it will be worth the effort.

The best way to get started, is to begin with the end in mind, so I’ve created a completely fake mock up summary of what I hope to achieve. Here’s my book summary, tentatively entitled:

The Neuroscience of Drumming: What You Don’t Know, What You Should Know, and Why Knowing Can Change Your Life

The neuroscience of music research has been evolving into a dynamic multidisciplinary field of study. The neuroscience of drumming approach to the subject is premised on the idea that studying how rhythmic entrainment affects individuals at multiple levels (biological, cognitive, and social) will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the health benefits that drumming provides.

Chapters include a critical examination of the various definitions of rhythmic entrainment construct based on differing views, clinical and applied perspectives, including the study of rhythmic entrainment involving mental health issues, and discussions of drumming from an evolutionary standpoint.

Pamela Lynn’s specialty focus is based on how rhythmic entrainment affects the human reward system. She offers a weight of evidence that confirms how rhythmic entrainment affects the reward and motivation systems in the human brain. By learning the brain science of rhythmic entrainment, the opportunity now exists to leverage the health benefits of drumming and to fully explore how drumming can enhance your life.

That’s my goal!
What do you think?
Do you think it’s possible to achieve?
I sure do.

Maybe now is a good time to mention that I’m a practical visionary. I believe that strategic planning, consistency, self-discipline, perseverance and my genuine passion for this challenge, will make up for the traits I’m lacking.

My academic research will be conducted under the supervision of neuroscientist Dr. Elliot Marchant. My Persian Tonbak studies are under the mentorship of Farhad Bazargan, and the support of Dr. Peyman Nasehpour.

I will continue to enlist the help of other brilliant minds to advise me along the way.

If YOU have personal insight, questions, suggestions, or advice, please feel free to leave a comment, join my mailing list and/or contact me personally. I would love to hear from you. Your contributions may prove to be very valuable, so please don’t hesitate to reach out, and connnect with me!