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Peace Through Music Supports the Troops By Dean and Dudley Evenson It is helpful for them to relax and not dwell on the bad dreams or images that they can see ... In spite of their lifelong aversion to war, sound healing pioneers Dean and Dudley Evenson have found a way they can “support the troops” while still remaining true to their core values. Since so many people coming back from battle are suffering from extreme physical and emotional wounds, the Evensons were looking for a way to really put their Peace Through Music mission to work. Since 1979, they had been producing music for healing and yoga through their independent record label, Soundings of the Planet. The popularity of their music with healthcare practitioners made them realize it could possibly be of benefit to soldiers returning from combat. Dean and Dudley decided to reach out to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, often the first stateside landing hospital for wounded soldiers returning from war. When they contacted the head chaplain there, Major John Kallerson, they found that he had already used some of their Peace Through Music CDs in his own healing. Once he realized that he had personally experienced the benefits of Dean Evenson’s music, he was enthusiastic about making it available for his patients and began to include it in the Wounded Warrior Kit given out at the hospital. Chaplain Kallerson told the Evensons, “The music helps our patients focus on their healing and not the chronic pain they endure constantly. The soothing music of Healing Sanctuary and Healing Dreams provides a needed respite from the dreams and flashbacks of the terrors that our wounded have seen and experienced. It is helpful for them to relax and not dwell on the bad dreams or images that they can see ... Some find it very helpful to get to sleep.” Inspired by this feedback, the Evensons began to research the effects of war and the stress disorders that often plague veterans of violent conflict and learned that music can offer an antidote to some of the emotional traumas experienced. They put together a Relaxation Training Guide to help returning soldiers in their healing process. Couched in military terms, the booklet presented concepts of Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound, and shared many techniques that are actually ancient yogic practices incorporating breath, muscle relaxation, meditation and mantra. On a brisk spring day in March, 2006, Dean and Dudley offered three presentations on Music and Healing at Walter Reed for wounded soldiers, their families, and hospital staff. They knew it would be intense to see the extreme effects of war, but they wanted to be able to experience the situation directly. The bonus was getting feedback that only personal contact with the wounded could provide. They visited Walter Reed the day before their presentations to get a sense of the huge facility. Chaplain Kallerson took them on a tour of the hospital starting with the rehabilitation center. There, they saw a very young woman soldier with dark hair and dark eyes full of pain, moaning softly as she struggled with the intensity of her wounds and her rehabilitation therapy. She had lost a foot and her other mangled leg was in a cast with twisted toes emerging from it, the sort of injuries typically seen as a result of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). A young boy ran around the rehab center trying to keep amused. His father, a tormented soldier, was being supported by his wife and father, but he clearly looked at the edge of his endurance. There was no complaining, mind you. He was a warrior and warriors usually try to present a strong face, but his suffering was palpable. An African-American soldier who had lost a leg shared with Dean and Dudley how much he had always enjoyed walking in the woods. He said their music reminded him of that nature experience. It looked like he would one day be able to walk again with his brand new mechanical leg and his mom who sat beside him seemed quietly pleased. The next day, Dean and Dudley arrived early for their first presentation in the auditorium. The event was televised throughout the hospital so the staff of 5000 as well as the patients in their rooms could view it. Behind them played the Eagle River DVD of the wild river near their home in the Pacific Northwest. For over fifteen years, Dean has been videotaping the eagles, spawning salmon and other wildlife along the river, and the response from patients and hospital staff was incredible. Everyone appreciated the music and DVD and saw both as extremely beneficial in helping soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other wounds of combat, and for anyone dealing with trauma or stress in their lives. Dean and Dudley performed their peaceful music of flute and harp interspersed with teachings about relaxation and sound healing. Looking back on the content of their offering to these wounded troops, they realized they were actually sharing the basics of yoga and meditation. Although they didn’t demonstrate any postures, the foundation of the information they offered was yoga. From breathing demonstrations to relaxation to affirmations and mantra, Dean and Dudley were able to educate these service people about this ancient practice. Hopefully their story will inspire people to reach out in their own communities to offer yoga, music, massage and other healing modalities to veterans who are in such desperate need of healing. The benefit is for the veterans, their families, and the community at large. It’s never too late to plant seeds of peace. Dean and Dudley Evenson will be offering an evening of Peace Through Music on Tuesday, March 4 at Infinity Foundation in Highland Park. For information, visit www.infinityfoundation.org. Dean and Dudley have produced over fifty albums of healing and world music. Their recent Eagle River DVD is part of the At Ease Relaxation Series and contains an hour of nature images and music plus special bonus features of guided meditations and a Relaxation Training Guide. For more on Soundings of the Planet’s music for healing, call 800-93-PEACE, visit www.soundings.com, or write to PO Box 4472, Bellingham, WA 98227.
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