About this episode
John Lockley is a traditionally trained African Shaman known as a Sangoma from Nelson Mandela's tribe, the Xhosa nation. He also has a background in Zen Buddhism and was a student of the late Zen Master Su Bong from South Korea. He holds an honors degree in Clinical Psychology and specialized in health psychology with an interest in trauma and how people recover from life-threatening illnesses like cancer. For the last 10 years, he has been running 'Ubuntu' (humanity) retreats worldwide helping people to reconnect to their essential humanity; their bones (ancestors), dreams, and ultimately, life purpose. His mission in the Western world could be summed up in the Xhosa word 'Masiyembo' - involving a profound remembering of the human spirit. As John says, "when people can remember their dreams and connect to their life purpose, then their true vocation surfaces; namely being in service and acting as guardians to our planet". Book: Leopard Warrior: A Journey into the African Teachings of Ancestry, Instinct, and Dreams Audio: The Way of the Leopard: Meditations and Shamanic Practices from the Heart of Africa Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded October 15, 2017. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:00 - A Calling to Africa and the Birth of a Prosa Sangoma 00:10:07 - Joining the Medical Corps in the Army 00:14:31 - Witnessing Death on the Neurology Ward 00:18:33 - Becoming a Sangha and the Powerful Dream 00:22:53 - Connecting with the Soul of Life through Dreams 00:26:54 - Soulful Conscious Dreams and Connecting with Our Dreams 00:30:57 - The Depth of Twaza Illness 00:34:51 - Becoming an African Monk in South Africa 00:38:55 - Acceptance into the Xhosa Tradition 00:43:04 - The Action of Helping the Community 00:47:16 - The Importance of Honoring Ancestors 00:51:30 - Honoring the Consciousness of Ancestors 00:55:34 - The Power of Sacred Plants 00:59:35 - Searching for the Sacred Plant 01:03:57 - The Power of Divination 01:08:09 - The Sacredness of Divination and Family Healing 01:12:19 - Protecting Yourself in Dreams with Spiritual Practice 01:16:35 - Connecting with the Great Spirit 01:21:01 - Sangama Training and African Chanting Monks 01:25:02 - Sangomas and Community 01:29:19 - Ubuntu and Healing One Another 01:33:40 - Opening the Heart and Embracing Vulnerability 01:37:53 - The Role of Emotions 01:41:46 - Chaos and Transformation 01:45:49 - Kundalini and Transformation 01:50:13 - Saint Francis and Transformation through Illness 01:54:00 - Compassion under the Tree 01:58:17 - The Path to Becoming a Sangama in South Africa 02:02:17 - How to Avail My Offerings 02:06:20 - Updates and upcoming interviews Save