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
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