Drumming I saw Kodo, the Japanese folk drumming group, play Boston Symphony Hall several years ago, and my life was changed. Since then I've attended drum circles, a West African drumming and dance camp, and classes, and I've built myself several drums to play. These are not the dead, soulless drums one finds in a trap set or drum kit or marching band. These drums sing. And when a group of people gets together to just jam with percussion instruments, the gestalt is singular. It's a real will of the people thing. I think if members of Congress started their sessions out with a drumming circle, they'd get more done in the name of the People and less in the name of the Faceless Unaccountably Tyrannies that fund their election campaigns. I think people with Puritan backgrounds are scared of drumming mbecause it evokes a visceral, primal response in the mind and body which many aren't culturally equipped to interpret. If you're still searching for spiritual fulfillment, check out your nearest drum circle. At the very least, you'll hear some really interesting music. Rhythm Connection (Austin TX) http://www.rhythmconnection.net Rhythm Bones Society www.rhythmbones.com Djembe-L www.drums.org Kodo http://www.kodo.or.jp/ Ondekoza (the other Kodo, basically) http://www.ondekoza.com/ Les Ballets Africains www.lesballetsafricains.com/ AtlantaDjembe group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AtlantaDjembe T.H.E. Choir (Marietta GA) http://www.thechoir.org/ Bantaba (Boulder CO) http://www.dancingcircle.com/