June Herb meeting

16 June 2008

To all of those who weren’t able to make it to the meeting and to all those that were present, we’ve put together a basic idea of what happened and how it happened.

There were about 40 people present.

What’s happening at the Green Space

We’ve been holding informal Spanish classes every Wednesday night for $10 with Chris. Chris is a trained linguist who speaks many languages and has a fantastic method of teaching in a fun rhythmic way.

We are currently arranging a singing teacher to put on how to sing classes

The meeting

I (Kim) expressed that over the last 6 years I’ve been able to work with these herbs I’ve continued to meet quite extraordinary people and that it’s my intention to provide a forum for people to connect and for these energies to be expressed to empower us all as a strong community.

My personal desire is to see the Ayahuasca plant available legally and freely and for our community to offer a beautiful context within which the plant can be expressed. I feel it necessary that we concentrate our personal energies into breaking down our current structure of making hierarchies and turn those triangles into circles. Circles of support, circles of sharing and circles where everyone is supported in finding and expressing their style of magic.

There are several community projects that we feel are a great way for us to have a voice and to further our knowledge and relationship with plants.

SUMMARY OF TRIBE EARTH PROJECTS

I gave a brief description of the following projects;

PROJECT 1 - 4 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON SHAMANISM IN IQUITOS , PERU

This takes place in July 15, 2008 and we’re searching primarily for funding.

If any one is seeking out a ticket to Peru for the conference, please contact us and, numbers permitting, we can organise reduced cost tickets. We’re also organising a fundraiser to be able to invite more people to come across with us to conduct interviews and learn learn learn.

We’re planning interviews, film footage, still shots and recorded sound. The results of the trip will be written up in the quarterly magazine and an exhibition both physical and online will be planned? We’re also seeking out anyone who can assist with preparation for the exhibition – film, printing etc.

We put up a list of the conference speakers and curanderos and called for assistance in writing up interviews. So if anyone has any longstanding burning questions to ask the speakers, now is the time.

The interviews and still shots are being taken for the planned not for profit magazine due out in September.

PROJECT 2 – INTERNATIONAL AYAHUASCA FOUNDATION

We expressed the desire that Darpan be our spokesperson. His contribution and introduction of Ayahuasca to the western world is inspirational. He has given many presentations at conferences, held many cathartic healing circles all over the western world and worked tirelessly to strengthen the west’s relationship with nature. He is our Tribal elder and we’re extremely excited and honoured to know this man.

We’ve begun work to set up an incorporated body to receive funding for special projects relating to Ayahuasca.

At this stage we’re seeking the assistance of special beings in the know about the legalities of setting up such a foundation or willing to put time into its establishment.

Darpan will be invited to sit on the committee for the foundation to assist with the setting up of various projects.

PROJECT 3 – RECONNECTED; A NOT FOR PROFIT MAGAZINE ON URBAN SHAMANISM AND CONSCIOUSNESS

The first issue is due out in September and it will seek to report in a non-bias and intelligent way, on some of the interesting research being done internationally in the areas of consciousness and urban shamanism. It will be a user friendly magazine with photos, interviews, research and ideas.

The profits from the magazine will be donated to the Ayahuasca Foundation.

At this stage we’re seeking interesting stories, interviews, information from the Tribe. We have an editor and co-editor already but we’re looking for bright individuals who know a thing or two about writing and/or setting up a magazine we would be most grateful to meet you.

Anyone wishing to be part of the projects were invited to get involved by volunteering time, money or resources.

David Suzuki’s daughter, Severn addresses the United Nations

We showed a brief clip of David Suzuki’s 12 year old daughter, Severn addressing the United Nations as a representative of children. She gave a heart-wrenching talk in the flavour of stop messing up our world…we want to see the rainforests when we grow up too! It was a moving call to renew our relationship with our environment.

Opening up the circle

We then progressed to open the circle and (more like a spiral as it was raining and the meeting took place in a cosy garden outhouse and there were 40 people in the room). We each introduced ourselves and expressed our passions and intentions for attending the meeting.

The circle was an inspirational and cathartic healing space and everyone had wonderful different voices, intentions and flavours.

The consistent message was one of peace and harmony amongst all people and a strengthening of our relationship with nature and us each opening a space for an intimate exploration of Self. Most people felt a new wave of energies in the world in this direction.

We showed the following inspirational talks from the website TED.

Jill Bolt Taylor – My stroke of insight.

Jill is a neuro-anatomist who lost most of the function of her left logical brain. She talks about her experience from the inside and how it relates to consciousness. She discusses how she found and learnt the ecstacy of connectivity with all.

Ron Eglash – African fractals in buildings and braids

An introduction to fractal geometry, its expressions in African cultures and an exploration of the implications of these findings for cultural theory, maths education and African development.

Bill Stamets – 6 ways Mushrooms can change the world

Bill discusses 6 ingenious ways in which fungi Mycelium ands its growth can restore our environmental balance.

Wade Davies – Cultures at the far edge of the world

Wade, an anthropologist, blows away the notion that western cultures are more evolved than others and presents the importance of each culture and its language as an important part of the whole of our human heritage.

Jeremy Narby – Biospheric TV and the Mystery of Consciousness (You Tube)

Jeremy discusses Ayahuasca and how DNA and Ayahuasca are interrelated.