#99 - Iboga: Revealing The Teacher Within - with Levi Barker

Levi is a Bwiti healer that helps people heal with some of life's most difficult problems. People come from all over the world to Iboga Wellness Center in Costa Rica to deal with problems like depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, substance and non-substance addictions in a psycho-spiritual context.

Iboga is a small shrub from West central Africa in the countries of Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo. Iboga has been used for centuries by indigenous people and more recently has made its way to the Western world. On this episode, we discuss how healing and transformation can occur with the use of Iboga. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Levi’s work with Iboga at the Iboga Wellness Center in Costa Rica.
• Examining the misconceptions about Iboga, with a focus on its healing properties.
• The “mind cleanse” process that Iboga facilitates.
• Explanation of how Iboga aids in overcoming trauma and emotional release.
• Distinction between Iboga and Ibogaine, particularly in addiction treatment.
• The historical and cultural origins of Iboga from Gabon, Africa.
• Levi’s personal journey with Iboga, using it to overcome opiate addiction.
• The spiritual and personal growth aspects of Iboga, contrasting it with its use for physical detox.
• How tradition and rituals around Iboga have shaped its modern application.
• Exploration of the psycho-spiritual retreat experience at the Iboga Wellness Center.
• Discussion on the process and effects of the Iboga mind cleanse and its impact on mental clarity.
• The emotional and chemical resets (dopamine, serotonin) that Iboga can initiate.
• Levi’s observations of physical changes in people post-treatment, especially in expressions and facial structure.
• The significance of integration after an Iboga experience and available support systems.
• Levi’s description of the spiritual energies of Iboga as a teaching tool that emphasizes self-teaching.
• Future trends and potential pharmaceutical developments emerging from iboga's properties.
• Closing thoughts on the responsibility of listening to one's inner call when considering Iboga treatment.

Levi's passion is to spread healing and the gift of iboga to whomever is called. Levi wants to give back for the many gifts he has received through iboga.

One key aspect of this iboga work is the Bwiti tradition. Bwiti is the name for someone who works with iboga to heal. The Bwiti tradition focuses on universal truths of our life to guide us to living a full happy life. The Bwiti tradition is a set of tools we can draw on to guide us in life to making the right decisions for ourselves, self love, managing the mind and to give thanks for the most precious gift, our life.

Links from this episode:
Iboga Wellness - Costa Rica
Ben’s “Medicine Retreats” mailing list

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