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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