February 23, 2012

Psychological Orgasms?

Psychological Orgasms

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting Off Compliancy and Shame

Bruce Lee

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…

Launching Into the Void

Launching Into The Void

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!

Effortless Mastery: When Nothing Less Will Do

Effortless Mastery

Have you ever be told to “slow down” when you’re practicing something new?

I’ve been told a million times, and it used to always annoy me.

I never understood what others meant when they said pracitice “slow”.
I thought, compared to others I am going slow!

Besides, I have a thing for speed.
I’m always hungry for the rush I get when I’m drenched in rhythms played at a speed that equals my intensity.
That’s part of the fun!

And, let’s not forget the fact that my ego was insisting that I needed to sound great, as fast as I can!

There was a slight problem with this way of thinking.

If applied to practicing, it will eventually derail you.
If applied to practicing, it will be eventually become your biggest liability.

I never understood this until I read Kenny Werner’s book “Effortless Mastery: Liberating The Master Musican Within”.
Massive paradigm shift.

When nothing less than excellence will do, effortless mastery is the goal.
Not speed.
Not ego.

If you struggle to understand the depth of this concept, purchase this book.
It will change your outlook towards mastering your art form.

I get it now.

Count me in.

Check out http://www.Kennywernerlive.com
For FREE Effortless Mastery TeleWebinars

Educational and Inspirational Messages!

Laying Down My Cards

Laying Down My Cards

The best way that I know how to introduce an idea, is to lay down your cards.

Done honesty, it’s an efficient way to repel those that disagree, and attract those that are like-minded.

So, here’s my chance.

Ever since I started drumming at the age of twelve, I have loved the way drumming makes me feel. The best way I could describe that feeling was to say that it made me feel empowered. As an adult, once I started teaching, that feeling of empowerment was what I wanted to promote. I wanted others to have the opportunity to experience the same elated feelings, and enjoy the benefits of drumming in the same way I did.

My lack of education, and awareness as to what was causing this “feeling,” pulled me off track.
Let me explain this in the simplest terms as possible:

  • I don’t believe the healing power of drumming comes from the spirit of the drums themselves.
  • I don’t believe the healing power of drumming comes from the spirit of the rhythms.
  • I don’t believe the healing power of drumming comes from any other spirit that is channelled through the player.

With all due respect to those that do believe this to be true, I couldn’t disagree more.
I am a very spiritual woman, but there is a time and place for everything.

I believe that:

  • The healing power of drumming comes from how rhythmic entrainment affects the human brain.
  • I believe that the healing power of drumming, and that feeling of empowerment, and euphoria is caused from a very valuable biochemical reaction in the brain.

I understand that as a World Percussionist, this flies in the face of the status quo.

My intention is not to dismiss those that choose to believe in the spiritual, and healing powers of drumming, but rather to research the biological/cognitive effects in order to fully appreciate the health benefits that can be gained from the application of rhythmic entrainment.

In doing so, I hope that my discoveries will enhance the lives of many.

I want you to have the opportunity to understand the true value of drumming (aka rhythmic entrainment) so that you can use this information to enhance your life.

If you’re still with me…welcome to my blog!