Drum Circles and Open Space
Please excuse me if this turns out to be one of my hypnopompic musings that are far from reality.
I'm reflecting on my interest in drum circles and open space, and possibilities of how the two can work together. I tried it last year at an OS event I organised. I facilitated a drum circle after a full day's worth of open space (after the closing circle), and it worked really well.
Non-verbal, embodiment of communication and alignment? Tapping into a more deeply primal, somatic, pre-verbal, pre-language.... ancient and foundational mode of connection?
I recently read this somewhere "drum circles are highly effective at flattening corporate hierarchies, [and] bridging communication gaps..."
It reminds me of open space.
Is there some shared DNA? Could this be truly useful, especially in an age when the power of somatics is becoming more and more evident?
Any further thoughts from anyone?
Have a lovely day, night... wherever you are in the world!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
❤️
20 May 2026 Çar 09:24 tarihinde isaac a via OSList everyone@oslist.org
şunu yazdı:
Please excuse me if this turns out to be one of my hypnopompic musings
that are far from reality.
I'm reflecting on my interest in drum circles and open space, and
possibilities of how the two can work together. I tried it last year at an
OS event I organised. I facilitated a drum circle after a full day's worth
of open space (after the closing circle), and it worked really well.
Non-verbal, embodiment of communication and alignment? Tapping into a more
deeply primal, somatic, pre-verbal, pre-language.... ancient and
foundational mode of connection?
I recently read this somewhere "drum circles are highly effective at
flattening corporate hierarchies, [and] bridging communication gaps..."
It reminds me of open space.
Is there some shared DNA? Could this be truly useful, especially in an age
when the power of somatics is becoming more and more evident?
Any further thoughts from anyone?
Have a lovely day, night... wherever you are in the world!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
Dear Isaac,
Drum circles are dear to me also. I am fortunate to live in the mountains
of North Carolina, USA and have options every week of which drum circle to
go to. Years ago Ward and I sponsored a drum making opportunity between two
workshops with drums made by each participant from elk hide cured by the
shaman who led us in the drum making in a beautiful sacred ceremonial way.
I understand their power.
I appreciate that you offered the drum circle after the closing of the OST
meeting. This timing is important. It allows informed consent of people as
to whether they want to stay and participate, and allows the deep inner
work and resonance to settle in following the drum circle without having to
find words or engage with others until ready.
Following is a note now about a drumming experience and not a drum circle
yet it comes to mind in this moment. One of the most powerful drumming
experiences I had was in a workshop with the late Angeles Arrien. Her
friend, Dr. Melinda Maxwell and other drummers took us through a drum
journey following the rythm of the ICHING. We each lay on the floor
imagining we were in our sacred canoe for the journey, protected for the
journey. First the drumming followed the hexagrams of the ICHING
representing masculine/dynamic/giving energy. Then another period of time
was spent in the drumming following the hexagrams of the
feminine/magetic/receiving energy. The third period of time was spent in
the drumming following the hexagrams of integrating feminine/masculine
energies to support the participants in accessing their wholeness. One of
the most profound transition experiences of my life. The experience also
helped me to understand the play of the conscious energy of the Universe,
the big Open Space of the Cosmos...and to understand that the meeting
method OST works because it is a window into the Open Space of the Cosmos.
The space is not empty.
Warmly,
Birgitt
Birgitt Williams
*Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants *
Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership
development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.
www.dalarinternational.com
Upcoming Workshops
Holistic Leadership Development | January 5-10, 2026 | Online
Learn More & Register
https://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/ for any of these
workshops here.
Go to www.genuinecontact.net http://www.genuinecontact.net to see the
public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact
trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training
for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williams
birgitt@dalarinternational.com, via email to set up a consultation to
discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.
16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729
Phone: 01-919-522-7750
Like us on Facebook
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On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 3:23 AM isaac a via OSList everyone@oslist.org
wrote:
Please excuse me if this turns out to be one of my hypnopompic musings
that are far from reality.
I'm reflecting on my interest in drum circles and open space, and
possibilities of how the two can work together. I tried it last year at an
OS event I organised. I facilitated a drum circle after a full day's worth
of open space (after the closing circle), and it worked really well.
Non-verbal, embodiment of communication and alignment? Tapping into a more
deeply primal, somatic, pre-verbal, pre-language.... ancient and
foundational mode of connection?
I recently read this somewhere "drum circles are highly effective at
flattening corporate hierarchies, [and] bridging communication gaps..."
It reminds me of open space.
Is there some shared DNA? Could this be truly useful, especially in an age
when the power of somatics is becoming more and more evident?
Any further thoughts from anyone?
Have a lovely day, night... wherever you are in the world!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org
Wow friends
Thanks for sharing about drumming.
I remember late Andreas Terhoven who was a master musician and drummer. He often included drumming in his facilitation and had some amazing stories. Also very simple elements like an energisers using your hands and laps ❤️.
I often use my shamanic drum to “travel to my planned facilitation and go through/experience the meeting before it happens (again 😄). I love it and it gives me much comfort and strength.
With appreciation
Thomas
Skickat från Outlook för iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef
Från: Birgitt Williams via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 15:32:41
Till: everyone@oslist.org everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Re: Drum Circles and Open Space
Dear Isaac,
Drum circles are dear to me also. I am fortunate to live in the mountains of North Carolina, USA and have options every week of which drum circle to go to. Years ago Ward and I sponsored a drum making opportunity between two workshops with drums made by each participant from elk hide cured by the shaman who led us in the drum making in a beautiful sacred ceremonial way. I understand their power.
I appreciate that you offered the drum circle after the closing of the OST meeting. This timing is important. It allows informed consent of people as to whether they want to stay and participate, and allows the deep inner work and resonance to settle in following the drum circle without having to find words or engage with others until ready.
Following is a note now about a drumming experience and not a drum circle yet it comes to mind in this moment. One of the most powerful drumming experiences I had was in a workshop with the late Angeles Arrien. Her friend, Dr. Melinda Maxwell and other drummers took us through a drum journey following the rythm of the ICHING. We each lay on the floor imagining we were in our sacred canoe for the journey, protected for the journey. First the drumming followed the hexagrams of the ICHING representing masculine/dynamic/giving energy. Then another period of time was spent in the drumming following the hexagrams of the feminine/magetic/receiving energy. The third period of time was spent in the drumming following the hexagrams of integrating feminine/masculine energies to support the participants in accessing their wholeness. One of the most profound transition experiences of my life. The experience also helped me to understand the play of the conscious energy of the Universe, the big Open Space of the Cosmos...and to understand that the meeting method OST works because it is a window into the Open Space of the Cosmos. The space is not empty.
Warmly,
Birgitt
Birgitt Williams
Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants
Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership development, and the benefits of nourishing a culture of leadership.
www.dalarinternational.comhttp://www.dalarinternational.com
Upcoming Workshops
Holistic Leadership Development | January 5-10, 2026 | Online
Learn More & Registerhttps://www.dalarinternational.com/register/hld-2026/ for any of these workshops here.
Go to www.genuinecontact.nethttp://www.genuinecontact.net to see the public Genuine Contact training and mentoring options by Genuine Contact trainers internationally. If you wish to schedule an "in-house" training for people in your organization, please contact me, Birgitt Williamsmailto:birgitt@dalarinternational.com, via email to set up a consultation to discern what is the best option to meet your development goals.
[https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4yeZVf5V4yv3n0uWMWOzEr8VoVyoZcaZP9A8B5a12PLTLtbOnvyqv4aOnUEydYAIR65miWTIav8x39A]
16 Sunny Acres Dr., Etowah, North Carolina, USA 28729
Phone: 01-919-522-7750
Like us on Facebookhttps://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG
Connect on LinkedInhttps://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG
On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 3:23 AM isaac a via OSList <everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:
Please excuse me if this turns out to be one of my hypnopompic musings that are far from reality.
I'm reflecting on my interest in drum circles and open space, and possibilities of how the two can work together. I tried it last year at an OS event I organised. I facilitated a drum circle after a full day's worth of open space (after the closing circle), and it worked really well.
Non-verbal, embodiment of communication and alignment? Tapping into a more deeply primal, somatic, pre-verbal, pre-language.... ancient and foundational mode of connection?
I recently read this somewhere "drum circles are highly effective at flattening corporate hierarchies, [and] bridging communication gaps..."
It reminds me of open space.
Is there some shared DNA? Could this be truly useful, especially in an age when the power of somatics is becoming more and more evident?
Any further thoughts from anyone?
Have a lovely day, night... wherever you are in the world!
Isaac 🙏🏿❤️
OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.orgmailto:everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.orgmailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org