Contemplative prayer invites us to pray with our whole selves, including our bodily selves. Jesus expressed his divinity through his human body, and we can express the Spirit which indwells us in the same way! Fr. Richard Rohr discusses drumming as a contemplative practice:
There are many forms of body prayer—for example, chant, walking meditation, dance . . . tai chi, pilgrimages, prayer beads, gestures, and breathing exercises. . .
Today I’d like to share with you the practice of drumming, which I have used a lot in men’s work over the years. Every human culture has developed some form of drumming, the repetition of a steady beat, to encourage and inspire what writer Barbara Ehrenreich calls “Collective Joy”. . .[Drumming] has a long history as contemplative practice. The mental and physical focus required to drum stills the mind and shifts the drummer’s state of consciousness. Barbara Holmes writes: . . . The pattern of drumbeats seems to calm and focus the mind. “When the mind fixates . . . a profound state of Silence ensues”. . . Silence is an odd word to use in the midst of the cacophony of many drums. Yet the stillness referenced is akin to the intense spiritual engagement that marks the contemplative experience. . .
Drumming helps us return to the wisdom of our natural rhythms, spontaneity, and joy. Even if you don’t think you “have rhythm,” I invite you to let go of your inhibitions, pick up an “instrument” (a pot, bucket, sticks, or a beautifully toned drum). Start with a simple rhythm and just continue the beat. Trust your body to move intuitively and playfully. Another wonderful way to drum is to join a drumming circle. There are many all over the world—look for one and don’t be shy!