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.
Interview recorded October 15, 2017.
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
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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