African Zen - 'Ubuntu' in Action
Ixopo BRC
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I just completed another retreat in Ixopo at the Buddhist retreat centre. We danced, sang, drummed and prayed. I was overjoyed to be joined by the Zulu cooking staff who helped keep the rhythms sweet and joyful. It is always such an honour for me to be able to share the wisdom of Sangoma culture with people. The Sangoma people of Southern Africa are equivalent to the Buddhist monks and nuns in the Far East. After my time in South Korea in the early 90's studying Korean Zen under the late Zen Master Su Bong, I discovered a number of similarities with my Sangoma colleagues in South Africa. The similarities involved an emphasis on prayer, humility and connecting with the divine through chanting. This included working together as a team, putting differences aside for the common good. In this way we all help to realise our ‘Ubuntu’, our humanity, and thus also our spiritual direction.
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I was delighted to see the dedication of fellow South Africans to learn about Sangoma traditional culture. This is the future, and it gives me great hope. We had a number of elders with us who were over 80 years old. One of them said to me that this weekend retreat at the BRC in Ixopo was ‘a wish come true’ for her, and she quietly said that she had wanted to learn about Sangoma traditional culture her whole life, and now she had. She was very happy. This warmed my heart and inspired me to continue sharing the beauty of South African traditional medicine.
I will be back at the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo again next year from the 15-17th January 2016, and I welcome all South Africans to join us.
John Lockley April 2015.
In Blogging Tags African Zen, Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo, John Lockley, Sangoma Medicine, Ubuntu
Portland Events
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be leading public talks, workshops & Sangoma private sessions as part of his Way of the Leopard World tour.
In Events Tags African Shaman, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Portland, Sangoma Medicine, traditional Shaman, USA, Way of the Leopard World tour, Xhosa Medicine
New York City Events
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
Way of the Leopard world tour with public talks in New York & weekend workshops.
In Events Tags African Shaman, Ancestral Medicine, John Lockley, New York City, Sangoma Medicine, USA, Way of the Leopard World tour, Xhosa Sangoma
Sangoma Medicine coming to the USA
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
Ancient prophecies predict that African and American teachings will help save the planet. The reason is that they still remember the old ways and how to reconnect us to Mother Nature. I have been encouraged by my Xhosa teachers and medicine colleagues to bring our ancient teachings to the Western World. These teachings are simple and profound, focusing on helping people to reconnect to their Ancestors and Dreams.
The Sangoma tradition in Southern Africa is literally thousands of years old. I am lucky to be part of the Xhosa lineage that represents one of the oldest living shamanic cultures in the world today. The ceremonies we perform are simple and profound encouraging people to go deep within themselves and their roots (ancestors).
The ancient ways teach us that it is no important how high we travel but how deep we go within ourselves. Because all life's questions about destiny, pain and suffering reside in our DNA. Our ancestors, and all of life within the great mother have battled with these questions. When we sit and ponder the question of 'why are we alive' and what is life all about we are left with a deep question ? This question takes us directly into the world of the mystic, sage, shaman, where it is okay to not know and this not knowing world opens our minds to multiple dimensions beyond time and space.
In South African Sangoma culture all spiritual journeys begin with saying our name out to the universe and announcing ourselves to all our Ancestors. For we believe that the first gift our parents gave us was our name. And our name holds within it the seeds of our destiny. In the same way that a small acorn holds the seed and potential of becoming a great oak tree. Gratitude is central to Xhosa ritual. We invoke our ancestors by showing gratitude to them for the gift of life. For without them we wouldn't be here. The question is never 'what can our ancestors do for us, but rather what can we do for them'. For the circle of life needs to be healed now more than ever before. We heal the circle by welcoming our elders home to us and thanking them for the sacrifices they made.
Join me in ceremony. Here are a list of dates and places where I will be in the USA.
I look forward to meeting you.
Warmest wishes,
John Lockley,
Ucingolwendaba (Above) I stand with my medicine colleagues, Elliot Rivera from Puerto Rico, brought up in New York; and Dancing Thunder, medicine chief of the Susquehannock nation.
Portland, Oregon
1
st -
10
th October
3rd Thursday - Renaissance Book shop
Public Talk: Dream Tracking the Indigenous Way
4th - 6th, Workshop: Dancing with our Ancestors
7th - 9th, Individual Sangoma Healing or Divination Sessions.
Booking for Workshop & private sessions:
Contact: Jan Engel-Smith, jan@lightsong.net,
Tel: 503-669-3013
New York City
10
th -
30
th October
10th Thursday - Edgar Cayce Center (ARE)
Public Talk: Introduction to Xhosa Sangoma Medicine
11th - New York Shamanic Circle (NYSC) - Open Circle
A time for the Community to gather, pray, rattle, drum and dance.
John will lead the group in some dancing, drumming & praying.
By Donation: $20
12th - 13th, Workshop: Healing through Dreaming
To Book: Click on ARE website
20th - New York Shamanic Circle's 15th Annual Gathering in Central Park.
A gathering of indigenous & urban shamans from all cultures and walks of life.
15th - 17th, Sangoma Sessions with John focusing on
Individual Healing Or Divination
21st - 24th
To Book: Email Lubaina, empoweredheart444@gmail.com.
Tel: 978-595-2926
Cost: $151 preferable in cash
26th & 27th, John will be leading a ceremony over the weekend entitled, 'Ancestral Blessing Ceremony'.
To book: email nyshamaniccircle@gmail.com
Phone: Irma 718 396 4246
In Blogging Tags ancient traditions, Dancing Thunder, Elliot Rivera, Indigenous Medicine, John Lockley, New York City, Oregon, Portland, Sangoma Medicine, Xhosa Medicine
Plant Healing
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be co-leading a plant healing workshop with Steve Taylor in Chichester. Monday 3rd - Private Sangoma Divinations.
In Events Tags Dreaming, Indigenous Medicine, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, plant medicine, Sangoma Medicine, Steve Taylor, Xhosa Sangoma
Seattle Workshops
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be in Seattle giving a public talk, workshop & private Sangoma Divinations.
In Events Tags Indigenous Medicine, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Seattle, South African Traditional Medicine, Xhosa Medicine, Xhosa Sangoma
Memphis Workshops
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be in Memphis Tennessee giving public talks & workshops on Sangoma Medicine. He will also be available to give private Sangoma Divinations.
In Events Tags Indigenous Medicine, John Lockley, Memphis Tennessee, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, South African Traditional Medicine, Xhosa Medicine, Xhosa Sangoma
Sangoma Fall Newsletter 2012
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
Read about the latest events and workshops for Fall 2012. Please see John's new video's, in particular his song honouring Nelson Mandela.
In Newsletters Tags Ancestors, Dreaming, Indigenous Medicine, John Lockley, Sangoma Fall Newsletter 2012, Sangoma Medicine, Upcoming events, USA tour, Xhosa Sangoma
Ethical Cultural Centre, Brooklyn, US
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving a talk on African spirituality and mysticism.
Sangoma Medicine USA tour Oct-Nov 2012
In Events Tags Ancestors, Brooklyn, Dreaming, Ethical Cultural Centre, Indigenous Medicine, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, USA, Xhosa Sangoma, Xhosa tribe
Sangoma Divinations in New York
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving private Sangoma Bone Readings in Manhattan.
In Events Tags ancestrally, Bone Readings, Divinations, John Lockley, Manhattan, New York, Sangoma, Sangoma Medicine, Shaman, spiritual wisdom, trained, Ubuntu, USA, veteran lineage holder, Xhosa
Lucid Dreaming Meets African Dream Shamanism
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
A unique workshop in Covent Gardens, London with John Lockley & Charlie Morley, a well known Tibetan Lucid Dreaming Teacher.
Private Sangoma Divinations Monday 30th April
In Events Tags Ancestral Dream Medicine, Charlie Morley, humanity, John Lockley, London, Neals Yard, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Tibetan Lucid Dreaming Teacher, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, unique collaboration-, Xhosa people
African Shaman visits San Francisco
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be hosted by the Earth Medicine Alliance in San Francisco.
He will be leading an intensive Ancestral reconnection workshop
Public talk 1st June & Community Fire ritual 5th June
Private Divinations 4th-6th June
In Events Tags Ancestral Blessing Ceremony, Ancestral Dream Medicine, Canada, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, Vancouver, Xhosa people
Plant Medicine Retreat
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be leading a plant Medicine Retreat at the Roundhouse in Massachusetts.
Public talk 25th May
Private Divinations 29th May
In Events Tags Ancestral Blessing Ceremony, Ancestral Dream Medicine, humanity, John Lockley, Massachusetts, Nelson Mandela, Plant Medicine Retreat, Sangoma Medicine, The Round House, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, Xhosa people
Workshop in Boulder, Colorado
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be hosted by the Sacred Earth Foundation in Colorado. He will be leading a Sangoma workshop with plant medicine & giving private divinations.
In Events Tags Ancestral Blessing Ceremony, Ancestral Dream Medicine, Boulder, Colorado, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, USA, Xhosa people
African Shaman visits Vancouver
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving a public talk & traditional Sangoma blessing ceremony on Friday 4th May.
5th May - One day Workshop
6th & 7th May - Private Sangoma Sessions
In Events Tags Ancestral Blessing Ceremony, Ancestral Dream Medicine, Canada, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, Vancouver, Xhosa people
Ancestral Blessing ceremony in New York
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be performing an Ancestral blessing ceremony in New York with live drumming, dancing and Xhosa singing. He will also be available for private divination sessions.
In Events Tags Ancestral Blessing Ceremony, Ancestral Dream Medicine, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, New York, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, Xhosa people
Sangoma workshop in Bedfordshire, UK
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving a talk on Friday at the Clophill Centre in Bedfordshire, followed by a one day workshop on Saturday and private sessions on Sunday.
In Events Tags Clophill Centre, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, United Kingdom, Xhosa people
Sangoma talk/ Blessing Ceremony in Florida, Tallahassee
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving a talk/ blessing ceremony with live drumming, singing and dancing where he will be calling his ancestral spirits. This will be followed by a one day Sangoma workshop and private sessions.
In Events Tags 11-11-11, Auspicious date, Florida, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma Medicine, Tallahassee, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, USA tour, Xhosa people
Talk in New York City
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving a Sangoma talk/blessing Ceremony at the Alignment Center 7:30-9:30pm
Private Divination Sessions Fri 4th & Sat 5th
In Events Tags Alignment center, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, New York City, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, USA tour, Xhosa people
Ubuntu Workshop in Vermont USA
John Lockley writes about the current Wars plaguing humanity in Gaza and Ukraine, and he speaks about the importance of cultivating mutual respect and empathy.
John will be giving a public Talk in Colrain, MA on Friday 7-9pm
Sangoma, Ubunt Workshop Sat 10am - Sun 1pm
Private Sangoma, Divination Sessions Mon 31st
In Events Tags Colrain, humanity, John Lockley, MA, Nelson Mandela, Roundhouse, Sangoma Medicine, Traditional South African Medicine, Ubuntu, USA tour, Vermont, Xhosa people