Shaman Circle
Welcome to the Circle!
This section contains some short essays and other insights into Thunder Valley Drums. You'll find additional info pertaining directly to the drums, the term "lightning-struck," materials used, guarantees and such on another page "Important Notes".
Here's a two-minute video, "The Sacred Drums," that sums up what I do and why I do it:)
This Page Is About
This section contains some short essays and other insights into Thunder Valley Drums. You'll find additional info pertaining directly to the drums, the term "lightning-struck," materials used, guarantees and such on another page "Important Notes".
Here's a two-minute video, "The Sacred Drums," that sums up what I do and why I do it:)
This Page Is About
- Why I Do What I Do,
- Looking Into Our Spiritual Path and How Drums Can Help
- Bob's Approach To Drum Making
To Meditations With Bob (Inexpensive Spiritual Meditations)
To TVD Flash Movie (Turn Down Your Sound First!!)
To Guestbook
Back to "Home Page"
Why I Do What I Do
I sincerely thank you for visiting. This site represents a major part of my life's work, which is a vow of service to and dedication to all life. I learn this by doing, as in affirmation and making the sacred items you see here, and by un-doing, as in unplugging from past programming. Oh, I haven't reached the promised land yet, but I maintain the goal. I share what I know through classes, a podcast (which includes videos and a blog) and, of course, these drums and everything else in hopes that you find them helpful in your own quest. Your purchases help continue this work, and I sincerely appreciate your trust and friendship.
You are looking for meaning and connection with something greater. You sense that there is much more than you’ve been told. Look around. You KNOW there has to be more than war, greed and political chaos, and far more than so much anger and fear in people. And infinitely more than you can see on TV or even experience in your super-sophisticated-3G-network-supported-billion-app cell phone.
Why not try a 3-You Spiritual Network? As in body, mind and spirit. And one great app– All That Is. That’s the most powerful network in the universe, and you are in charge of it all.
These drums have only one app, but it holds more power than all the cell phones on Earth…it’s the sacred rhythm of YOU in expression of your highest longing, of your most deeply held love for all of life, of your most beautiful potential.
You can change the world.
I invite you to look at and to hear these drums, and to read these pages and listen to the podcasts you’ll find here. I am no different than you, I have the same longings, the identical yearning for truth, the deepest hope for peace and meaning. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I know a way that can help you find them. Thunder Valley Drums.
I know it may sound strange, finding answers via a drum. But people have been doing it for thousands–tens of thousands–of years. And they were just like you and me. Looking for meaning and spiritual expression.
You don’t have to buy a drum to start with. You can listen to the free drumming files and practice a bit in learning how to connect in this sacred way. You may also read about various approaches to the spiritual path on practically every page of this site. And, of course, you can even make your own drum. Or you can purchase one of these meticulously fashioned drums, made from the wood of lightning-struck trees and adorned with exquisite, original artwork. Each drum is a one-of-a-kind instrument with its own sound, its own identity, impossible to duplicate because it is a cross section of a real tree. These are the most unique drums on Mother Earth ever made available to the public.
Everything I make and offer to you is part of my own expression of the joy of living and of sharing this beautiful planet with you. May we make it a better place, where love and peace set the rhythm of our freedom.
Looking Into Our Spiritual Path
You are looking for meaning and connection with something greater. You sense that there is much more than you’ve been told. Look around. You KNOW there has to be more than war, greed and political chaos, and far more than so much anger and fear in people. And infinitely more than you can see on TV or even experience in your super-sophisticated-3G-network-supported-billion-app cell phone.
Why not try a 3-You Spiritual Network? As in body, mind and spirit. And one great app– All That Is. That’s the most powerful network in the universe, and you are in charge of it all.
These drums have only one app, but it holds more power than all the cell phones on Earth…it’s the sacred rhythm of YOU in expression of your highest longing, of your most deeply held love for all of life, of your most beautiful potential.
You can change the world.
I invite you to look at and to hear these drums, and to read these pages and listen to the podcasts you’ll find here. I am no different than you, I have the same longings, the identical yearning for truth, the deepest hope for peace and meaning. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I know a way that can help you find them. Thunder Valley Drums.
I know it may sound strange, finding answers via a drum. But people have been doing it for thousands–tens of thousands–of years. And they were just like you and me. Looking for meaning and spiritual expression.
You don’t have to buy a drum to start with. You can listen to the free drumming files and practice a bit in learning how to connect in this sacred way. You may also read about various approaches to the spiritual path on practically every page of this site. And, of course, you can even make your own drum. Or you can purchase one of these meticulously fashioned drums, made from the wood of lightning-struck trees and adorned with exquisite, original artwork. Each drum is a one-of-a-kind instrument with its own sound, its own identity, impossible to duplicate because it is a cross section of a real tree. These are the most unique drums on Mother Earth ever made available to the public.
Everything I make and offer to you is part of my own expression of the joy of living and of sharing this beautiful planet with you. May we make it a better place, where love and peace set the rhythm of our freedom.
About Bob's Approach to Making Drums
Meticulous attention to detail and a desire to honor ancient healers and their practices requires shaman/artist Bob to be both a student/scholar and skilled craftsman. Each sacred Lightning-Struck Drum is a one-of-a-kind, uniquely fashioned by hand, and though simple power tools are occasionally used, the result is quite reminiscent of earlier times.
He incorporates into the drums elements of both the ancient Celtic and Native American cultures he has studied, though most are imbued with powerful archetypal–and even primal– sacred symbols used by healers since the very beginning to facilitate spiritual healing and to serve the community.
When at last a drum is completed and the final knot tied and adornment placed, he considers it more than a drum. It is a trusted partner in the exploration for spiritual healing and expression.
What Else Makes These Drums Unique
No two trees are alike, nor are two cross sections of a tree identical, and thus, no two Thunder Valley Lightning-Struck drums are alike. Each drum is unique, the only one of its kind in all the world.
Shaping a natural drum’s rim is an art and critical necessity in itself, as the drum head must fit securely and uniformly to assure proper sound. You are assured of such a fit with a Thunder Valley drum, and thus, because these natural drums made from trees are asymmetrical and are capable of producing multiple tones when struck at different points on the drum head, you will get the most sound potential from your drum. A natural harmonic resonance will often occur with just one strike.
Restoration and artistic expression are combined through the use of natural glues, resins, woods, skins, wool, leather, linseed oil, beeswax, hemp and other natural materials to achieve a unique appearance and to assure the integrity of the drum’s body. Nails or other metals (excepting copper) are not used, except for decorative purposes.
The drums have been treated with natural, biodegradable, benign chemicals to protect against insect or decay infestation, to aid with the restoration process, and to enable the drum to be used outdoors.
Drum heads feature goat skin or cow rawhide, which will stretch or shrink with temperature and humidity changes, thus altering the tone. Exposing the skin to slight heating with a lamp, hair dryer or nearby heat source will “tone” the drum. Never overheat the skin, nor let it freeze, however.
Each drum and healing aid is identified with the unique painted or carved Thunder Valley Drum logo to guarantee its authenticity. Further identification can be found in the TVD “slogan,” comprised of two stylized carved or painted Celtic Ogham symbols interpreted as the words “Live Free,” per the example at the bottom of the page, affixed to each drum.
In addition to those gem quality stones which may appear on a drum, each Thunder Valley Lightning-Struck drum contains at least one gem quality emerald embedded somewhere in the drum’s shell, generally sealed behind the slogan post. Many shamanic traditions have long associated emeralds with healing and with helping to focus healing energy.
(1st Picture above: Bob drums at the lake. 2nd Photo: A cross section of a lightning-struck hickory tree on the workbench is finding renewal and expression as a Thunder Valley Drum. This can take months to complete.)
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