"There's a particular joy in interacting with other human beings in ways that give them access to more of their inner selves," says Sam Sloneker, 72, as he unloads equipment from his Chevy Aveo on a warm desert evening.

The sun is drifting down toward the distant San Bernardino Mountains and Sloneker is getting ready for the monthly gathering of drummers at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. He's been leading a drum group here for nearly two years.

It's not the only drum circle in the county, but it may be the largest one open to the public, drawing as many as 50 participants. There's no cost but a $5 donation is suggested. Most bring their own drums. Sloneker has a few extras along with some shakers, tambourines and rain sticks.

Tonight's event is being held outside the center's main sanctuary under the dark open sky of a new moon. The desert here is famous for UFO sightings and Sloneker says the group will likely see some airborne activity tonight.

"There's an owl family here that visits us," he says. "They come and circle around. They seem to like the energy."

With his gray ponytail and beard, the balding Sloneker has the furrowed brow and wizened face of a guru. He's been a musician all his life, but has worked in a host of other roles as well.

"I've had kind of a checkered life and worn a lot of hats along the way," he says. "I'm a certified clinical hypnotherapist and schooled in emotional freedom techniques or EFT."

In the 1980s, at the Los Angeles Men's Center, "we did rebirthing and sacred path retreats," he says. Currently, "I'm the distribution manager for the Sun Runner magazine."

He moved to the desert in 1995 and hadn't facilitated a drum circle for nearly two decades the center asked him to start one.

At first, he says, he wasn't sure he wanted to add the event to his schedule. But he feels like he's providing a needed experience for those who come to pound a drumskin for a couple of hours.

"I encourage people to relax and feel the rhythm running through them," he says. "You allow it to move you on a deep emotional level."

Audrey Ruttan, 56, of Twentynine Palms, was one of the first to show up, lugging a large conga with her. It was her second time coming to the drum circle.

"When I came last month, it was such therapy," says Ruttan, sitting behind the drum that is not much smaller than she is. "It's just very very good for the soul. It gets your energy flowing properly. It was like a natural high. It stayed with me for a number of days. I just couldn't wait for tonight."

Ruttan, who says she has worked in the entertainment field for years, says she has played drums for musical groups, but a drum circle is different. Playing music requires certain limitations in order to gel with the group. With a drum circle it's different.

"You can go wild here," she says.

The instruments that show up are nearly as varied as the group itself. There are hoop drums, bongos, a sauce pan with a drum stick. One woman pats the bottom of a large wastebasket. The age range runs from people in Sloneker's demographic to children as young as 3. Everyone plays.

As darkness descends, the steeple on the sanctuary lights up. Overhead there is a flash of wings as two owls fly just above the trees. Sloneker alternates between playing and moving into the center of the circle to direct the drumming. The rhythm resonates through the circle and beyond.

"I'm a firm believer in the ripple theory," Sloneker says. "My intention is the stuff we do here radiates out. Who knows how far that goes?"

For information, visit www.jtrcc.org/drum-circles

Reach Mark Muckenfuss at 951-368-9595 or mmuckenfuss@PE.com

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