Felt like scrolling through my well curated fb wall.

Who here loves "Ayahuasca" or is being called and would love to experience this medicine? #asknostr

Good morning, #nostr. Sharing a post a fb friend shared. 👇#grownostr

"Alright, let’s have this conversation…

I might be unpacking a big can of worms but I hope we can have some healthy and respectful conversation.

Occasionally I get people commenting or sending me DMs or even emails about my ‘endorsement’ of sacred ancestral medicines (typically the psychedelic variety, but not exclusively).

I understand completely that as a white man, I may be culturally misappropriating the long-held traditions of certain cultures where these medicines and practices originated.

I know. I understand this argument.

AND…

I do my very best to honour these traditions, the people and cultures that taught me about them, the spirit of those medicines, and I demonstrate the respect that is required to receive these medicines with a pure and open heart.

Controversial still?

Yes.

There are many complexities at play.

I know.

So why do I continue to share about them rather than keep my mouth shut and do my healing in private?

I’m so glad that you asked.

I believe that the people, cultures, and lands that have passed these medicines along to us are stewards of a great gift that has been left on our planet for us to benefit from.

As is my philosophy in all the areas of my life, and the work that I do, I believe that we are stronger when we share our gifts with each other.

Someone could easily make the argument that Ayahuasca, for instance, belongs to the indigenous cultures of the Amazon, where the medicine was first discovered.

And the people from those cultures will tell you that they received sacred downloaded visual instructions about how to prepare the two separate plant compounds into a tea that would help one to receive instructions or insights about their life.

And where might those downloads have come from?

I would hypothesize that they received the download from God, Source, the Universe, Gaia, Pacha Mama, Great Spirit, Creator, choose your name.

And that those instructions would not have included any stipulations about who NOT to share the medicine with.

In every single instance that I have worked with a shaman, medicine woman/man, Taita, curandero, or accompanying apprentice, getting paid is a formality and part of the energy exchange, but I see that they take far greater pleasure and honour from sharing the knowledge and medicine with those who have felt the calling.

They LOVE to witness people healing from something so simple as a tea from the jungle.

Every time is a miracle.

SWITCHING GEARS NOW

These medicines have completely changed my life for the better.

I have healed my relationship with my father and we are better now than we’ve been since I was a young boy.

I am the strong, confident, heart-centered, successful man and entrepreneur you see before you predominantly because of these medicines.

I am indebted to them and see my life as dedicated to being in service to humanity as a result.

These medicines have taught me most of all that we are not separate. We are one family.

One nation under God.

(Not one country or dominant global superpower.)

ONE NATION. 🌍

So it doesn’t surprise me that the keepers of these medicine traditions, who regularly partake in their healing gifts, also feel that they should be shared widely with those who feel the calling.

If I have made any mistakes or crossed any lines by being vocal about these practices, or even by paying for them as a white man traveling to those regions, I will surely have karma to pay later.

But something tells me deep inside that I am a messenger and a guide that bridges these worlds together, and I live with a clear conscience.

Seeing Ayahuasca as belonging to a specific group is like suggesting that potatoes be shipped back to South America where they originated.

I think it’s time we open our hearts and minds to being invited to the big table where everyone shares what little or lot they have.

I recognize that this is where we struggle. Not everyone shares equally. But we can balance this. And we aren’t required to count.

When I look at our world, I don’t see borders or division of property in the same way that we have been conditioned to.

I see a global family.

If you had a glass of water and I was thirsty, you would likely share some water with me.

When I was confused, hurt, angry, depressed and feeling helpless, I was lucky that some generous people from the jungle shared some tea with me that forever changed the trajectory of my life.

Sharing is caring.

I think that feels culturally APPROPRIATE for humanity.

What do you think?

I hope I have come close to describing the profound healing potential found in these sacred medicines and traditions.

I hope that those who need healing will find opportunities to learn and experience what I did.

I am more invested in seeing our global family heal than I am in seeing a few people at the table having food when others don’t. And that statement goes for all the people at the table.

Pass the potatoes please.

Gracias por todo.

Aho Great Spirit.

Your humble student,

Jonathan 🙏🏻😌❤️💫

📸 These two golden souls (from the Seiko Pei tribe in Ecuador and Peru) are two of the most compassionate and talented healers I have ever met. We travelled 8 hours by longboat to their traditional lands in the Peruvian Amazon, where we held one of the most powerful ceremonies I’ve ever taken part in. Lots of difficult emotions and deep healing took place that night. While they may not traditionally smile for photos, I assure you that we had a beautiful time camping out on their sacred lands and shared many laughs. They are my brothers and I love them.

P.S. While I have spent considerable time reflecting upon this subject and the importance of my conduct in respect to the individual people, cultures, medicine spirits, and traditions, I am genuinely open to hearing your beliefs, respectful feedback, personal experiences, and thoughts in the comments."