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Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 from 12:00-1:30pm PST
There are many different traditions and ceremonies among Indigenous peoples who have used plant medicines since immemorial times. In this forum, we will focus on the cultural and botanical differences among the traditions of ayahuasca and yagé. Speakers Jonathon Miller Weisberger and Gerard Artesona will discuss how they entered the world of plant medicines, the different cultural perspectives, mythologies, and guidelines of ayahuasca and yagé traditions, and the botanical differences of the plants used in each brew. They will also address cultural nuances around their use, the differences in the effects of both, and delve into their personal stories, tales and adventures with these medicines.
Gerard Artesona is an Oakland based psychotherapist specializing in integration therapy. His therapeutic approach bridges western psychology and entheogenic ritual & practice in order to support his clients on their healing journeys. He has worked in mental health for over 15 years. Outside of his private practice, Gerard currently works in an inpatient hospital setting. Additionally, he conducts a bi-weekly integration group supporting those undergoing ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Gerard has also taught yoga and mindfulness to inmates and has worked in group homes and in community mental health, where he focused on serving San Francisco’s Central American migrant population. Gerard embraced the healing potential of plant medicines, principally ayahuasca (or yage) over 10 years ago. The perspectives surrounding these traditions have inspired and deepened his professional approach and overall understanding of wellbeing. Gerard uses his varied skill set as a retreat cofacilitator at the Ocean Forest Ecolodge in Osa, Costa Rica.
Jonathon Miller has spent the past thirty years studying rainforest plant medicine traditions, ethnobotany and permaculture. Since 1996 he has organized biannual “Rainforest Medicine Council Gatherings,” these being experiential workshops journeys, and ethnobotanical immersions for “Personal, Community and Planetary Renewal,” offering participants an intimate opportunity to meet and learn from cultural adepts, the mighty rainforest and the omnipotent plant teachers themselves. He is the author of “Rainforest Medicine – Preserving Indigenous Science and Biodiversity in the Upper Amazon,” a book brought forth as an offering to allow for some of the in-situ wisdom related to sacred plant medicine traditions to follow the plants as they circulate the globe. The book shares a glimpse into the authors many years of experience working on ground level projects such as the demarcation of indigenous peoples homelands and cultural heritage revalidation initiatives, with a special emphasis on the universal culture of service. He is and the steward of Ocean Forest Ecolodge (Ethnobotanical gardens and yoga retreat) on the Osa Peninsula, in Costa Rica where he lives most of the year since 2000. Jonathon also currently collaborates with indigenous peoples families in Ecuador on reforestation and rainforest conservation initiatives. To learn more about the lodge visit: www.oceanforest.org, about the book: www.rainforestmedicine.net, and about projects: www.4biodiversity.org
This talk will be recorded and immediately available for rewatch for all attendees.
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