An African-Irish Shaman - Positive Life, Irish Print Magazine

John was featured in Irish wellness magazine, Positive Life, in their Summer 2014 issue. 

Are You Following Your Destiny?

Read the latest newsletter about John's latest events on his Way of the Leopard tour.

• Are You Following Your Destiny?

In Newsletters

Coming to Holland!

Read the latest newsletter about his Holland events on the Way of the Leopard Tour.

• Coming to Holland!

In Newsletters

Webinar - Understanding Dreams

Join John TONIGHT for a free Webinar where he will be talking about dreams and how people can get the most from their nightly journeys.

In Events

Understanding Dreams- VIRTUAL EVENT!

John Lockley for a live dream webinar to learn awareness tips and gain an understanding of how to track your dreams to live more fully on your spiritual path.

John Lockley is an African Xhosa Sangoma currently on his world Way of the Leopard Tour- conducting his dream and plant medicine retreats.

In Videos

Understanding Dreams Webinar

Read the latest newsletter premiering John's first virtual event- 'Understanding Dreams Webinar'.

• Understanding Your Dreams Webinar

In Newsletters

Mandela Medicine in the USA

Mandela emancipated Africa and made African people everywhere stand tall with dignity and self respect. He made it possible for us to believe in ourselves and practice our old spiritual ways, the ways of our ancestors, the ways of Mother Africa. One of Mandela's core principles was 'Ubuntu' (humanity) and this ties in with his traditional background as a Xhosa man.

I am proud to be an adopted member of the Xhosa nation. As a traditionally trained Xhosa Sangoma, I teach the old ways of our people. One of our principle teachings is 'Ubuntu Ubunzulu', translated as 'the depth of humanity', meaning 'one blood', 'one humanity'. As we say in Xhosa 'if you cut my arm red blood flows; and if I cut your arm, red blood flows. We are all connected. There is only one Great Spirit and one human race. A core Xhosa saying is 'uthando lothando, ubuntu olothando'.  Love is love, Humanity is love.

We believe that to be a human being is a wonderful and sacred job. Our forefathers like Mandela maintain that we are constantly realising our 'ubuntu'. We are constantly improving, by becoming more intuitive and more compassionate. Our original jobs as human beings is only service, 'how can I help you?'.

I will be teaching about Ubuntu as a way of reconnecting with our humanity. I will be in New York City and Asheville, NC. Through simple Xhosa songs, rhythms, drumming and stories, I intend to show people how they can reconnect with their own 'Ubuntu' and Ancestors.

As we focus on our blood and bones, so we energise our spirit, and we can walk as lions and leopards with dignity, love and self respect.

Do you want to learn the Mandela way? Then join me in New York City and Asheville, NC.

Written by John Lockley 9/5/2014

New York City

7th - 27th May

• Public Talks/ Blessing Ceremonies

• Thurs 8th - Metacenter, Manhattan, 7-9pm

• Exchange: $30 at the door

• Friday 9th - Golden Drum, Brooklyn, 8-9:30pm

• Suggested Donation: $30

• Wednesday 14th - The Fifth Line, Sterling pl

• Exchange: $30 at the Door

• I will perform an African Blessing ceremony with traditional Sangoma songs & rhythms. There will also be an opportunity for people to ask questions. A number of people have reported ancestral dreams after these sacred sound performances.

• Weekend Workshop 17-18th - Golden Drum

• 'Way of the Leopard training'

• Ceremony 1 - Opening the Door to your Destiny

• Donation: Early Bird price $250 - March 2nd-April 30th. May price: $300

• To Book: Contact Golden Drum

• Private Sangoma Divinations/ Plant healing In New York City, Brooklyn

• May: 10,11,12,13,15,20,21,22

• I throw the bones in the traditional Sangoma way and work with ancient plant medicine from South Africa to help heal peoples' spirits.

• The main focus of my work as a Sangoma is 'ukuvula indlela' which means 'to open the road', so my job is to literally help people find their road or life path.

• As the bones fall they form a spiritual constellation of a person's life. This is helpful in pointing out areas of strength/ gifts and also where more work is needed.

• Booking:johnlockleysoffice@gmail.com.

Asheville, North Carolina 29th May - 3rd June

• 31st May - 1st June - Training weekend

• 'Way of the Leopard' 2 day ceremony

• Ceremony 1 - Opening the door to your Destiny

• Private Sangoma Sessions available upon request

• Contact: Karyn Armstrong; karyn@harmonicvisions.com

• Tel: 828-581-0230

In Blogging, Sangoma Medicine

Xhosa Culture; Growing up in South Africa

Voices of the Earth, a project of the Earth Medicine Alliance (www.earthmedicine.org) speaks with John Lockley, an African Shaman who originates from South Africa. In the 1980s, John had a strong dream calling him to train as a Xhosa Sangoma (shaman). Because of his country's Apartheid laws, it took him seven years to find his teacher. In 1994, he trained in the townships of Eastern Cape, serving a 10-year apprenticeship with his teacher, a well-known sangoma medicine woman. Today, John facilitates Ubuntu (humanity) workshops around the world, teaching people the ancient arts of dreaming, using medicinal plants and connecting with the ancestral/spirit world. He is also trained in Yoga, Zen Buddhism and Clinical Psychology. For more information, please visit www.african-shaman.com.

In Videos

Traditional South African Shaman, Sangoma John Lockley

In Videos

Portland Events

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

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

Syracuse, NY Events

Way of the Leopard world tour, Thursday talk & Weekend workshop. Sangoma private sessions by appointment only.

In Events Tags Ancestral teachings-, John Lockley, New York, Syracuse, traditional South African Shaman, USA, Xhosa Sangoma

Dancing into Dreamtime

Dream retreat in the UK featuring Charlie Morley on Lucid dreaming & John Lockley on Sangoma dreaming.

In Events Tags Ancestral Medicine, Charlie Morley, Dancing into Dreamtime, dream lineages, John Lockley, retreat, Tibetan lucid Dreaming, Xhosa Sangoma practice

African Zen Retreat

John will be facilitating a retreat at Ixopo Retreat Centre in Natal, SA. He will be exploring Sangoma medicine practice & similarities with Buddhism.

In Events Tags African Zen, Ancestral practice, Buddhism, Indigenous Medicine, Ixopo retreat centre, John Lockley, Sangoma practice, Xhosa Sangoma

Modern Shamanism & the Sangoma's Song

I was recently interviewed in New York City by Sam Liebowitz from Talking Alternatives radio. I was joined by my good friend, Itzhak Beery from the New York Shamanic Circle. We discussed the relevance of ancient shamanic practices for the modern world. I enjoyed the interview, and I hope you do too.

Link to Interview no longer available.

In Blogging Tags Ancestors, ancestrally trained, Dream Healer, dreams, indigenous healer, Itzhak Beery, John, Lockley, Nelson Mandela, New York Shamanic Circle, Sangoma, Shaman, Talking Alternatives, Xhosa, Xhosa Sangoma

African Zen Retreat

John will be running the first African Zen retreat of it's kind in South Africa at Ixopo retreat centre.  

In Events Tags African Zen, Ancestral world, humanity, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma, Ubuntu, Xhosa tribe

Sangoma Training

John will be working in the Eastern Cape, South Africa with his community running traditional Sangoma ceremonies.

In Events Tags Ancestors, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma, Traditional Medicine, Xhosa nation

Tribute to Mandela 1918-2013

As the sun sets on our first national day of mourning here in South Africa, I pause to reflect on an extraordinary human being, Nelson Mandela.

Words fail to describe the man we know as Nelson Mandela. As a traditional healer, Sangoma in Mandela’s tribe, the Xhosa nation, I look to nature as a source of renewal and strength. Yesterday I witnessed a bird die in a strange and tragic way. I felt that something powerful was going to happen and true enough on waking this morning I was told of Mr Mandela’s passing.

Mandela’s life was characterized by struggle and harmonized by love. Even though he was old, we ‘South African’s’ could never truly believe that one day he would die. His life and message held us all together. He gave us hope, and made us believe that one person can make a difference. His message of equality, freedom and love between all people on the planet has become a symbol of ultimate goodness for all of us.

Sadly I never met Mr Mandela, however those friends of mine who did describe him as a man of incredible goodness, humour, strength and dignity. He was as he appeared to be on TV, a man who ‘walked his talk’ and demonstrated his beliefs through his everyday actions.

When he was released from prison in 1990 we were all spell bound by his oratory gifts and whenever he spoke on TV we would crowd around and listen to him avidly. He made us laugh, cry and believe in ourselves.  Mandela made us South Africans believe that we can love one another regardless of race, creed or ethnicity. That are future is bright and that we don’t have to live in fear of one another. He was funny and always surprised us when giving serious political talks. He would finish his talks with a human interest story of things that happened to him behind the political veil. We loved him all the more for this and we felt safe and secure in the future of South Africa.

In 1994 we held our first democratic elections. I was in South Korea at the time. I was invited to become a monk in a Zen Buddhist order by my grandmaster, Zen Master Seung Sahn Sunim. I declined, deciding to rather return to South Africa to follow my African calling and becoming an African monk, a Sangoma, traditional healer in the Xhosa nation. During South Africa it was illegal for a white person to walk around in the townships. These were strictly ‘black’ areas and unless you were in the army or police you had to have a special pass to walk in these areas. This made it near impossible for me to find my teacher and follow my calling to become a Sangoma. However after Nelson Mandela became president in 1994 everything changed, and the door to my work and life in townships around South Africa, swung open. I was greeted with warmth and love, like a lost son by my teacher Mum Ngwevu. When she asked me what took me so long to find her, I said, “Apartheid”. Her response was “Ah Thixo, enkosiam”. “Oh God, I’m so sorry!”. I feel a deep sense of gratitude towards Mr Mandela for making it possible for me to fulfil my destiny and calling to become a Xhosa Sangoma.

During the Apartheid years we were all imprisoned because we couldn’t express our human feelings for one another. No-one epitomized this more than Nelson Mandela. He came out of prison like a diamond from the roughest soil and taught us how to be human again without restrictions and fear. We will always honour his memory, and be forever blessed that he walked amongst us, and showed us how we can empower ourselves with dignity and grace. He set an example for us all to follow. Like many South Africans today I feel proud to have had him as my mentor, guiding me along the road of how to be a human being.

In Xhosa we say: Uthando lo thando, ubuntu olothando. ‘Love is love, humanity is love’.  It means that when we act with compassion from the deepest part of us, then we realise our humanity. Mandela was a fine example of a man who overcame huge obstacles and demonstrated ‘Ubuntu’ (humanity).

Hamba Kahle Tata Mkhulu ! Go well reverend Father.

Written by:  John Lockley  6/12/2013

In Blogging Tags anti-apartheid, apartheid struggle, iconic world leader, John Lockley, Nelson Mandela, Sangoma, South Africa, South African philosophy-, Ubuntu, Xhosa nation

Mind, Body, Spirit Festival in Brighton, UK

John will be performing live at this years Mind, Body, Spirit Festival in Brighton, UK.

• Private Sangoma Divinations on Sunday 3rd Nov.

In Events Tags African Shaman, Ancestors, Body, Brighton, Divinations, John Lockley, Mind, Sangoma, Shamanism, Spirit Festival, Traditional Medicine

Traditional Shamanism For The Modern World

John joined on Rosangel Perez on Cafecito Break on the 27th of September to discuss the place of traditional shamanism in the modern world.

In Podcasts