Past Lives

It is through my experiences that we as spiritual beings have many many past lives. I believe that an old soul has been around for 20 billion years and a young soul 10 billion, but not just human lives, or animal, or bird, or insect (I'm fine being all these creatures) also other beings in other worlds, in other dimensions. All I had to do to see them all is find the ones I most didn't want to be and as soon as I came to grips with that then one night in a dream they all walked past me one by one, it was mind blowing. These are just some of that number to help give you an idea of the possibilities that can and do exist. Please keep in mind that follow past lives does not mean that they stretch far back in a easy linear fashion, there are time lines and different realities all crossing over each other. You may remember one past life and think the other that shows up can't happen because its at the same time. Nope that is unfortunately a misnomer. Time is only in this world, in our construct here on Earth so the possibility of 2 or 3 time lines, or 4 or 5 etc is very real.


Some of the Past Lives I remembered:

*These first two past lives are ones that I am not fond of being and also in seeing these past lives and accept that I could be them then all the other past lives came flooding through.

1) One of the things I most did want to be in a past life was a warrior enjoying killing. I was a Templar Knight approx in the late 10th century, I have images riding through bands of the Islamic Armies cutting of heads with such joy. At that time I had such blood lust is was all over the top for me here now in the 21st century.

2) I was a Pomp in the late 17th century. A part of the french decadent aristocracy and it's gluttonous life style. I was on my way to the gallows, with no idea that I was going to the guillotine to get my head removed from my body. The only thought I had was, "Who were all the dirty people and I just hope and prayed none of them would touch me with there filthy filthy hands."

*These are my other past lives:

3) I was a Shogun, Japanese Samurai is the late 16th century.

4) I was a French Lady apart of the french aristocracy in New Orleans  back in the 16th Century.

5) I was a Scottish Laird of the Island of Morar in the 16th century and met my friend here now in 2011 at a workshop is the Netherlands. He was a she and she recognized me well before me but as soon as we hugged all the images of who we were to each other in Scotland came flooding back.

6) In the 18th century I was shot in the back (as I was  a stream with my battalion) by Napoleon's French Army. The shot hit my spine and left me paralyzed as I feel face down in the 12 inches of water and I drowned.

7) I was a Zulu Chieftain (a warrior) fighting against the Afrikaans in 18th century and died in that battle.

8) I was Sitting Bull in the middle of the 18th century and remember getting killed by the Indian Agency Police on the Standing Rock Reservation.

9) I was flying for the British as a Canadian Fighter pilot in the WW 1 and was gunned down and died.

10) I was in the American Army as a private and was killed in France nearing the end of the WW II.

This past life happened 4 thousand years ago and now:

I live on the Sunshine Coast, a beautiful spot in the West Coast Rain Forest. The moment I step onto the coast some 30 years ago, it had such familiarity that it threw me off balance for a long while, It was like home to me. I couldn't figure it out until I started have visions of my other me in a Salish First Nations big canoe 4 thousand years ago. At one point I was in Marine Search and Rescue and I was training and I began to slip from this time to the 4000 year time all at once. I told my other self back then, not to panic that he would see me in a fast moving boat he'd never seen before but to know that was me/him, and then it happened, me/him smiled at me as we had that split second of recognition.  Now I work for a client (here now 21st century) in the very cove on the Sunshine Coast I used to live in 4000 years ago with the Co-Salish First Nation peoples.

*This life memory might be now or then its so hard to say:

Alien/Star Person
I was being hidden in a cave by my friend and wise teacher Tamlet on a Planet called Atroni III off, which exists NW approx 4 suns from our planet called Earth.

I was sleeping in the cave when I woke up. I looked up to see Tamlet (who I've know from this world). I asked him "What am I doing here?" Tamlet smiled and answered "Sleeping my Lord."
Well "Duh" i thought. "But why was I sleeping," I asked. "You have been sick." "But why in a cave Tamlet?" "We'll Sire we had to hide you." "From?" And he look at me and said, "I don't think you'll want to hear the answer." I was not sure if indeed I wanted to hear the answer but I asked anyway, "From?" "From those that would prefer you were dead Sire." Agggh I thought that but was hoping against hope that wasn't going to be the answer.

I looked around the room and saw 3 grey aliens wearing brown cloaks with hoods. "Who are they and what are they doing in here." I was not fond of the grey aliens as I had run ins with them in the past.  "They are my disciples my lord," Tamlet answered calmly. "What are they doing here?" "Helping Sire" "Helping to do what?" Tamlet took a deep breath, "Helping to keep you alive." "Was I endanger of dying Tamlet?" "Not anymore Sire." "Why is that?" He sighed growing tired of what he probably thought was a fairly redundant amount of questions, "You are now awake Sire, are you not?" I gave up on this coyote questions in question answers, it was like talking to a teenager. Worse. But I could only give up and laugh.

"Do you wish to go outside Sire." I was a wee bit shocked, "Is it safe?!" "Of course Sire why would I suggest to go outside if it wasn't safe?"  I just gave in at that point as Tamlet was all ready headed through the cave entrance to the outside world.

The ground was all red and spongy, with these huge white birds (thunder birds maybe)  roaring over our heads. They where all white energy with no form but with form but not as we on earth would know it. Magnificent just incredible creatures, one after the other thundering across and up into the sky's.

This planet Atroni III was all red earth with 2 huge white moons, I didn't see the Sun as it was night but still light outside. Tamlet guided me over to the sea. Blue in color similar to this planet our Earth but there was something different about it, it was more obviously alive and communicating as it rolled up on the shore. Then a dolphin popped its head outta the water. I knew it as a dolphin but it was just all white energy. The dolphin was extraordinary!

"Are you like that too Tamlet?" I asked. He wore a Cobalt Cloak and Hood which covered his whole body, except for 2 white glowing dots for eyes. "I am Sire" "Can I see the rest of you" I think I even may of heard him laugh at me (in a good parental way) "You can Sire." And then he disrobed and there he was all energy. I looked at him and said "Can I do that, Tamlet? Am I like that?" "You are Sire." He replied. I pulled back my purple robe and was all light. We walked into the water and swam with the Light Energy Dolphins. It was an amazing experience.



Duende (c)

Imaginary Friends

I once had a friend who was into the "Course of Miracles" (all about God) . I'd just finished describing my wise old dead friends (Guides) and then he said "Duende, don't you know? They are all just God." I looked at him and said, "Yes I know but its the way I see God, don't spoil it for me."

My imaginary friends when I was little would talk to me (when I was loosing more and more of my hearing before my Mum realized I was going deaf and took me to the doctor, it was allergies) to keep me company. Also late at night they would play music for me (carousel music is the closing I can describe it) when I was having trouble falling asleep.

They never left because of my Mum's constant support and love. She just accepted who I was, a young lad with an incredible gift, my Mum was and still is very intuitive that way (and other ways) and because of that I'm a healthy, happy, content human being helping other people who may think they are crazy (they to probably had imaginary friends but no one would listen to there truth).

Now an elder me and my "13 Imaginary Friends" are still with me (they are called "Guides" now by the enlightened status quo, hahaha and I call them "Wise Old Dead Friends") and they help me with all sorts of things, like; Assisting People who need help with medical/mental/physical/emotional issues and they support me in my writing, and also help even to catch transit in the city, hell they even help me when I'm cooking or doing my art. They are a wonderful support system.

Stay strong, "Imaginary Friends" are just another word for a wonderful "Hidden Support System." Also remember you're not crazy until you try to tell someone and most someones in our society are afraid of anything other than the Nero Normal paradigm, you work you live you die once! Bwhahaha Oh and there is no such thing as magic...for them.

Imaginary Friends never leave, they are not gone, they have always and still will always be there. If you want them back in your life, all you need do is ask, just like inviting good friends over for tea.


Duende (c)

Abductions by Graham Conway

The first case that came to the public’s attention was in 1961 when Betty and Barney Hill were driving home to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on their return from Canada. They encountered a large UFO en route and subsequently revealed (under hypnosis) that they had shared an abduction by the crafts crew members, which also resulted in a detailed “medical” examination of them both. In 1966, Random House published their story, entitled, “Interrupted Journey”.

This resulted more people coming forward, (albeit reluctantly) to relate similar stories. Since that time various estimates have emerged that possibly millions and most certainly thousands of people throughout the world have experienced this unsought intervention, often since childhood.

New York artist Bud Hopkins, has emerged as the western worlds leading investigator in the field. His initial book, “Missing Time” gaining considerable attention amongst UFOlogists and alerting the unsuspecting public to what later appeared to be an emerging epidemic.

Since that time the scientific community has to a small extent become publicly involved with Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, Dr. David Jacobs and Dr. Edith Fiore all engaged in trying to determine what is exactly taking place. Clearly commonalities have emerged but the proverbial “smoking gun” is yet to be found.

Possibly the most attention getting book to arrive in the public arena was Whitley Streibers personal account of on going events in his life. This resulted in more ripples within the media than anything else offered to the public, other than possibly the two movies, “E.T.” and “Close Encounters…”

At the time it is very apparent that whatever is taking place in those unfortunate people’s lives, it didn’t begin yesterday. Research has long since established that it begins at an early age,(even around the crib stage) and continues on throughout that persons child bearing years. In many  cases the intruder activity can be traced through four generations and is frequently found occurring through four generations. People with both Jewish, Native Indian and Celtic back ground seem more likely to be selected victims. Who the abductors are what they want, why they are here and from where they come, we do not know.

For more information

Please contact

http://www.ufobc.ca

The first case that came to the public’s attention was in 1961 when Betty and Barney Hill were driving home to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on their return from Canada. They encountered a large UFO en route and subsequently revealed (under hypnosis) that they had shared an abduction by the crafts crew members, which also resulted in a detailed “medical” examination of them both. In 1966, Random House published their story, entitled, “Interrupted Journey”.

This resulted more people coming forward, (albeit reluctantly) to relate similar stories. Since that time various estimates have emerged that possibly millions and most certainly thousands of people throughout the world have experienced this unsought intervention, often since childhood.

New York artist Bud Hopkins, has emerged as the western worlds leading investigator in the field. His initial book, “Missing Time” gaining considerable attention amongst UFOlogists and alerting the unsuspecting public to what later appeared to be an emerging epidemic.

Since that time the scientific community has to a small extent become publicly involved with Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, Dr. David Jacobs and Dr. Edith Fiore all engaged in trying to determine what is exactly taking place. Clearly commonalities have emerged but the proverbial “smoking gun” is yet to be found.

Possibly the most attention getting book to arrive in the public arena was Whitley Streibers personal account of on going events in his life. This resulted in more ripples within the media than anything else offered to the public, other than possibly the two movies, “E.T.” and “Close Encounters…”

At the time it is very apparent that whatever is taking place in those unfortunate people’s lives, it didn’t begin yesterday. Research has long since established that it begins at an early age,(even around the crib stage) and continues on throughout that persons child bearing years. In many  cases the intruder activity can be traced through four generations and is frequently found occurring through four generations. People with both Jewish, Native Indian and Celtic back ground seem more likely to be selected victims. Who the abductors are what they want, why they are here and from where they come, we do not know.

For more information

Please contact

http://www.ufobc.ca

Unidentified Flying Objects by Graham Conway

UFO’s have been in the news internationally since 1947. At that time Kenneth Arnold was a pilot searching for a downed aircraft in the Mount Rainier range of Washington State, when he spotted nine highly unusual “aircraft” traveling at a speed in excess of the capabilities of any U.S. military aircraft. When he described the sighting to reporters sometime later he described their flight pattern as being similar to saucers skipping over water.

We now know that although this was the first publicly recorded event there had been many reports at earlier times when despite the spectacular nature and numerous witnesses they had only been noted “locally” and then lost in the pages of history. One good example of this are the numerous accounts made by pilots during the Second World War. During this time, British, American and German bomber and fighter pilots saw unusual aero forms that appeared to display close attention to their war fare activities. Although frequently fired upon they displayed little attention to this type of aggression. Both sides thought they were the designed and produced by the opponent. Later on careful and methodical research has uncovered detailed historical accounts from many countries that go back (in the case of India) for thousands of years.

The UFO’s have been seen from the ground, in the air and viewed on radar all at the same time. They seem to defy the known laws of physics with an ability to “stop on a dime” regardless of any high speed they may be exhibiting. It’s frequently reported they making 90 degree turns at high speed also seems to be the norm. Acceleration from zero to several thousand miles an hour is another frequently displayed capability. Many sightings describe these craft emerging from and entering lakes, dams, rivers, and ocean areas too.

Many thousand of reports exist that describe landings where crew members are seen in close proximity to the vehicle, often seemingly making minor repairs. Trace evidence is frequently found of burnt vegetation and radiation readings and in some instances ensuing sickness for witnesses who were too close. Various governments through out the world have conducted lengthily, secret investigations. Popular consensus states that anti gravity control is their propulsion method.

If you have witnessed a sighting or

would like further information

please contact us @

ufobc.ca

Corp Circles by Graham Conway

Corp circles as they are commonly called were initially thought to have originated in Britain in the 1970’s. However “saucer nests”, (depressions in grassy/reedy areas in Australian swamps were reported in the 1960’s. Also swirled in a clocklike pattern). Circle researchers have now uncovered historical woodcuts that seems to indicate that farmers were aware of these “devil patterns” as far back as the 1700’s.

National media attention was drawn to these formations when two retired gentleman commonly known as Dug and Dave came forth to publicly claim that they were responsible for the multitude of formations that were being reported around the country. This was in the early eighties. They obligingly demonstrated the method they used. A long piece of string, and a board that they used to methodically compress the grain, this technique was illustrated during the light of day. No one (amongst the media) deemed it necessary to ask them to produce these intricate, precise, and sometimes large formations during the hours of darkness. Nor did it seem to occur to anyone that maybe interviewing their wives as to what they thought about their hubbies nocturnal activities which seemed to require them being away from home as often as two hundred times a year!

Since that time the formations have not only increased in size but also in complexity and when seen from the air are breath takingly beautiful. The observer can hardly be less than impressed by the scale and care that the artist/s have exhibited in creating these portraits in a variety of material. They have been found in grass, wheat, flax, maize, sugar cane, and forest trees. For some strange reason they are often located in close proximity to ancient and historical sites, even more attention grabbing is the fact they regularly turn the same location on a yearly basis.

Many visitors to the formations have reported a wide variety of unusual effects such as; dizziness, asthmatic symptoms disappear, headaches suddenly arrive, cameras won’t work, nor will tape recorders, neither dogs nor cows will readily enter the formations.

A variety of theories are offered as to whom and what is causing them: Everything from vortexes, unusual wind patterns, UFO’s and inevitably with regrettable justification and a degree of pride, copy cat hoaxers. It is apparent that although these formations have been reported in twenty six countries the various governments are equally puzzled. For in Britain evidence has surfaced that indicates various agencies including the military are equally puzzled and therefore interested.

Video, film and still photos have frequently shown balls of what appear to be intelligently controlled (lights/objects?) moving around in and over the formations during the daytime as well as at night.

Are we being led to look up and out? Is this another learning curve for humanity?

For further information

Please contact

http://www.cccrn.ca

Journey to Find Iboga(African Hallucinogenic) by Bia Labate

Journey to Find Iboga

I wondered if I was able to magically see through my mask, or if my eyes had become so sensitive they could perceive light through it. (Photo and Illustration by Sean Davis www.seandavisphotographic.com)

https://www.facebook.com/drewbinsky/videos/236809913682570/

AfriqueI landed at the airport in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon, with the aim of collecting data on a mysterious African root to which powerful therapeutic properties are attributed. The first sensation, the hot and clammy air, is familiar. The pagne, a traditional African garment, makes us feel for a moment that we are back in Salvador, Brazil; but we soon realize that it is not quite “the same thing.” In just a few hours, all our conceptual references have disappeared. To an outsider, there is no coherence or aesthetic order. There are no streets or addresses; traffic is every man for himself. Music 24 hours a day. Men innocently holding hands in the streets. When you walk around the “city,” people stare, make comments, and touch you. As a white person, you want to be invisible.

It’s difficult not to be shocked by Africa, to be immune. Suddenly, it seems that we are waking from a dream: There, before our eyes, a whole continent is throbbing and spreading out its enormous natural wealth and economic poverty. Amidst this scenario, there are thousands of beautiful, creative hairstyles, expressing the power of a people, bewitching and infecting the visitor with a strong sense of joy.

Iboga1
It was not difficult to find the plant. The active components are derived from the underground root of a plant that reaches 1.50 m in height and belongs to the Tabernanthe genus, which is made up of many different species, 650 of which have been identified in Central Africa. The one that has most interested Western medicine is Tabernanthe iboga, found mainly in the region of Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Republic, the Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The shrub grows in tropical forest areas, swampy soils, or wet savannas. It blooms and produces fruit throughout the year. Its main alkaloid and active ingredient is ibogaine, which is extracted from the bark of the root, and represents 90% of the 30 alkaloids found in the roots of this species. Iboga is formally classified as part of the family of the hallucinogens, which include peyote, mushrooms, LSD and ayahuasca. Alper2 has claimed that its phenomenology is different from classic hallucinogens, and that serotonergic transmission, while generative of hallucinations, is not the cause of ibogaine’s action in opioid withdrawal attenuation.

It is believed that the Pygmies have used iboga since time immemorial. Up until today, these people have used it in rituals that Whites have rarely been permitted to attend. According to the writings of an expert on the plant, the Italian Giorgio Samorini, some species of animals, including mandrills and wild boar, feed on the roots of the iboga to obtain inebriating effects. There is a speculative theory that the Pygmies discovered the hallucinogenic properties of iboga by observing the curious behavior of these animals.3

Ibogaine was first isolated in 1901. It is reported that it was used in the West from the beginning of the century to treat flu, infectious diseases, neurasthenia, and sleep-related illnesses.

In 1962, Howard Lotsof,4 a young heroin-dependent man in search of a new drug experience, discovered iboga. After a trip lasting 36 hours, he said that he had completely lost his craving for heroin and felt no withdrawal symptoms. He gave the substance to seven friends who were also dependent on heroin, and in all cases, the result was the same. In 1983, Lotsof reported the anti-addictive properties of ibogaine, and in 1985, obtained four US patents for the treatment of addiction to opium, cocaine, amphetamines, ethanol, and nicotine. He founded the International Coalition for Addict Self Help (ICASH) and developed the Endabuse method, an experimental pharmacotherapy that makes use of ibogaine HCl, the soluble form of ibogaine. By administering a single dose, the effect of which lasts for two days, considerable or complete attenuation of withdrawal symptoms has been reported, allowing the patient to painlessly detox. There is also allegedly an absence or lessening of the desire to take drugs for some period of time afterward.

The Initiation Rituals of the Bwiti5 TraditionCurrently, iboga is used by traditional healers of the countries of the Congo Basin and the Bwiti religion in Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and especially in Gabon, where important members of the political and military hierarchies are congregants. They make use particularly of the bark of the root, but medicinal properties are also attributed to the leaves, the bark of the trunk, and the root itself. In Gabon, the bark of the root and the root are easily found in traditional pharmacies and markets in major cities. There also exists an NGO dedicated entirely to iboga (Association for Nature, Culture, Future: EBANDO). Some claim that, if current trends continue, the collection of wild specimens of the root is putting it at risk of extinction. Iboga may be used alone or in combination with other plants. It is used in the treatment of infertility, depression, snakebites, male impotence, female infertility, AIDS, and also as a stimulant and aphrodisiac. In the belief of local healers, it is also helps to combat “mystical diseases,” such as being possessed.

Tonye Mahop, a researcher at the Limbe Botanical Gardens, says, “there are a number of records of it curing cigarette dependency, mganga (marijuana) and fofo (a local alcohol concentrate made from palm wine) with iboga in the Bwiti rituals. The problem is that the informers do not tell how they prepare and use the plant, so that there is always a part of the knowledge that is kept secret.”

There are two types of Bwiti: the traditional, which rejects Christianity, and the syncretic, which is more widespread. The first is practiced by the Mitsogho, and the later by the Fang, both Bantu groups. It is likely that during the nineteenth century the Pygmies transmitted their knowledge to the Apindji, who in turn passed it on to the Mitsogho, both southern Gabon tribal groups. During the nineteenth century, these groups developed the cult of the dead, which characterizes the traditional Bwiti. The syncretic Bwiti or Fang was formulated at the time of the First World War. This form is the product of traditional Bwiti influences; the traditional ancestor worship of the Fang; the Bieri, who used a different hallucinogenic plant; and Christian evangelization, especially Catholic. Currently, there are at least nine branches of Bwiti. There is also another cult that uses iboga, Abri, which has been little studied. This cult is controlled by women and treats diseases by using medicinal plants and iboga.

Abada Mangue Clavina is President of the Bombo Ima et Bandeei Association (ASSOKOBINAC) of Cameroon and the leader of the Bwiti Dissumba Mono Bata Church in Yaoundé, whose base is his nuclear family consisting of his two wives and 10 children. There are prière  (prayer) sessions every Saturday. He says that there is a specific iboga treatment for problematic drug use that lasts two or three days, depending on the patient and severity of the problem. Two, three, or four teaspoons (4-8 grams) of powdered, scraped, and chopped root bark are administered. “Iboga purifies the blood. We have been successful in 100% of the cases.” The most difficult cases may require an initiation, which costs 200,000 African francs (CFA) (about USD 260.00 in 2011) as opposed to the 50,000 (USD 66.00) that ordinary treatment will cost.

The initiation lasts three days. At the beginning, the candidate confesses all his sins and takes a ritual bath. The climactic moment in the life of the Bwitist is marked by the consumption, after fasting, of an enormous amount of eboka (up to 500 g) and ossoup, a kind of cold tea made from the root of the plant. A group follows the neophyte during the prière, where all sing, play music, and dance into the night.

The initiation ceremony aims at inducing a coma, but scholars have not yet been able to precisely time its duration. According to practitioners, at a certain moment the spirit leaves the body and travels to the level of creation, on the “other side”; in other words, it visits the world of the dead, where one can receive revelations, be healed, or communicate with one’s ancestors. The citar, the “sacred harp,” guides the journey and brings the spirit back to the body. After the ceremony, the subject, reborn with a new identity – that of Bandzi, “he who ate” – must report his visions and experiences in detail. The difference between the Bwiti ritual and that of other rites of passage traditionally studied by anthropologists is that, in this case, death might not be metaphorical or symbolic, but almost real, as it might take the subject to the absolute limit between life and death.

The healer Nanga Nga Owono Justine, initiated 25 years ago in the dissumba of the Bwiti branch, explains: “Eboka is a science that corrects. It is like a door that only opens when a person dies. Eboka has given Black people the chance to visit a place we go to when we die, but we go there before we die, and this is an opportunity to become transformed.” Her mother, the elderly Bilbang Nga Owono Christine, adds: “In order to become healed you have to be convinced, and you will heal yourself. You need the will, eboka, and faith in God, who is the master of everything.” Recalling her own initiation, when she had an “eye disease,” she said that “a star guided me to a hospital on the other side, where my eyes were operated. I saw my spirit leaving my body and the doctors operating me. I returned cured.”

Death may occur in the Bwiti initiation rituals. According to Calvin, this may be the result of several factors. One would be the incompetence or lack of ability of the guerriseur (healer). Another is that eboka cannot be given to someone who is physically too weak. Finally, “if the one undergoing the initiation is a witch or sorcerer, during the trip to the stars, the spirit will want to travel to the zone of darkness and may lose its way and not return, causing the death of the physical body.” The Fang know an antidote, a leaf called ebebing, which they affirm can reverse the effect of the eboka.

The Scientific VersionThe scientific literature on the subject is controversial. It is known that ibogaine produces ataxia (loss of body balance), tremors, and lowered body temperature, slowing of heart rate (bradycardia) and lowered blood pressure. Studies in rats have shown that ibogaine in a dosage of 100 mg/kg given intraperitoneally (i.p.) is neurotoxic; a dose considerably higher than the 40 mg/kg i.p. typically used in studies on drug self-administration and withdrawal (the dose in Lotsof’s treatment protocol is usually 15 to 25 mg/kg in humans). It is different from other drugs in that it acts directly to reduce craving and withdrawal by an unknown mechanism in the human body. However, its exact degree of effectiveness is unknown: There are cases of recovery but also of failure. There is no scientific study that proves that ibogaine “cures addiction” – however complicated this notion is–only substantial anecdotal evidence. Similar to reports of death in the Bwiti initiation rites using iboga, there have also been 19 reported deaths as a result of the uncontrolled treatment of clients with ibogaine in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland.6 According to Ken Alper, a world expert on this topic, “one important hazard in the use of iboga is polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, including torsades de pointes,” resulting in irregular ventricular fibrillation that could lead to death. But there are also many enthusiasts of the plant’s virtues, and a quick tour of the Internet can yield many reports of ibogaine cures for problematic drug use.

Treatment with ibogaine is not allowed in the US, the UK, France or Switzerland. Even so, it has been used illegally in treatments in hotel rooms and apartments. In Panama, the institution founded by Lotsof charges from USD 8,000 to USD 20,000 for the treatment; in Italy and Costa Rica, the cost is USD 2,500, and in North America it averages between USD 3,500 and USD 6,500. The cost in Thailand is cheaper, usually a few thousand dollars, not including airfare.7 There has been an attempt in Israel to study iboga for use in the treatment of “post-war syndrome” affecting soldiers, among other widely dispersed research projects popping up around the globe.

According to Antonio Bianchi, Italian physician and toxicologist with a research specialty in natural products, ibogaine “acts on an incredible number of neuronal receptors. Its main characteristic is its action on the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) s. These receptors are mainly found in two areas: the hippocampus, which controls the memory and memories, and proprioceptive sensitivity, responsible for the sensation we have of our physical body.” If these receptors are blocked, the person builds up an image of “the self” which is not related to the physical self; that is, it is outside the body. This would be the neurophysiological mechanism of “astral travel,” the meeting point between native and scientific theory. In these circumstances, a person tends to build what is defined as a bird’s-eye image, i.e., the subject assumes a projection of himself from a position of being above,” says the doctor.

This feeling is not only caused by ibogaine. It can also be produced by ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, or as the result of a shock, a deep meditation, or other impacts on the nervous system. Medicine has devoted increasing attention to a phenomenon known as “near death experiences,” experienced by people who have been close to death. There are multiple reports of a recurrence of this type of experience: the presence of an infinite light which is divinity itself, meetings with the dead, a panoramic view of the subject’s own past lives, and the presence of a guide or religious figure leading one through a tube or path to the light.

Scientifically, one explanation is that the brain, when subjected to enormous stress (such as a heart attack, for example) produces hallucinations, immediately rebuilding a fantastic ersatz world. Initiation with iboga is an experience of this kind. In fact, some of the Bwitists’ descriptions of the “world beyond” coincide with reports of people who have been near death. For the mystics, on the contrary, this is evidence that this world really exists, and that there is a continuation of life after death.

The Bwiti ProphecyThere is a Bwiti prophecy that appeared in the 1940s when French Catholic colonial missionaries aggressively attacked the Bwiti, which says that this religion would spread and unite all the Black people in the world. The Bwitists are, however, open to White people being initiated, and in recent years, many foreigners, especially from France, have undergone the experience.8 The healer Justine, however, remarked, “we’ve found that Europeans do not have the same organism as we do. So we make a more lightweight treatment; you can’t give them the same amount of eboka we give to an African. When we know the person has ‘travelled,’ we stop.”

I attended a prière and took a spoonful of iboga. The effect was very strong and lasted 24 hours. I can’t say I understood very much; I thought the ritual was very tiring. My feeling was that the Fang are right; iboga is something that has little to do with this world, and has more to do with the world of the dead. I was enormously curious but afraid of undergoing the initiation. Africa, on its own, was already quite intoxicating.

PostscriptShortly after finishing this text, my travelling companion discovered that he had malaria. I was stuck for six days in the north of the country, in a Muslim region (I discovered that a man in this region can have a maximum of four wives). Savannah: hot and very dusty. The various medicines did not work. The treatment is continuing. L’Afrique c’est dure.

Notes1          The spelling varies by region: eboga, eboka, iboga, liboka, ébogé. There are also names like mdombo, bondo, dibuyi, among others. Iboga is the most widespread term.
2          Editorial note from 2014: see: K.R. Alper et al. The ibogaine medical subculture, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 115 (2008), 9-24.
3          Editorial note from 2014: See: Samorini, Giorgio (2005). Buiti: religião enteogênica africana. In: Beatriz Labate and Sandra Goulart, O uso ritual das plantas de poder. Campinas, Brazil: Mercado de Letras.
4          Editorial note from 2014: Howard Lotsof passed away in 2010.
5          Bouiti is the French spelling, in English Bwiti, and in Portuguese Buiti.
6          Editorial note from 2014: See: Alper, K. R., Stajić, M. & Gill, J. R. (2012), Fatalities temporally associated with the ingestion of ibogaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57, 398-412. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02008.x; see also Brown, T. K. (2013), The use of ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence, Current Drug Abuse Reviews 6, 3-13.
7          Editorial note from 2014: Thomas K. Brown, personal communication, May 2014.
8          Editorial note from 2014. See: Chabloz, N. (2011), Voyages salvateurs. Anthropologie du tourisme “solidaire” et “chamanique” (Burkina Faso, Gabon). [Trips of Salvation. Anthropology of “Fair” and “Shamanic” Tourism (Burkina Faso, Gabon)]. PhD dissertation in social anthropology, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. Paris.

Yaoundé, February 2001

Bia Labate, PhD is an anthropologist and researcher with NEIP, the Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies (www.neip.info)

Original Portuguese version published on TerraMistica.com.br during author’s travels in Africa.

Edited English-language translation with the addition of editorial footnotes published on Erowid.

© Bia Labate

By Bia Labate

Becoming a White Kachina - 1992

I arrived back at the motel only to be told by Germany that I was not to tell anyone of my dance because "They” would throw me in jail. I was told not to dance until the Elders came to talk to me. I was too sad to dance anywhere at the moment.  Germany said, "The Elders will come to talk to you in the next 4 days.” I was to wait for them. I got the feeling I would probably wait forever. But I nodded in agreement. "I will give a very secret tape to you that was channelled by a fellow from the High Commander Ashtar of the Galatic Fleet." I looked at her sheepishly.  "Great, my parents and I will enjoy listening to it." The string came out again. "Are John's parents a part of the inner or outer circle of 32?" The string thing did nothing.

“I will give you the tape but no one else can hear it."  Well that was it!!  As soon as I heard the secret game, I flipped.  "Look, if I'm in the inner circle of 32 great!!! If I'm not in the inner circle of 32 great !!!! But hear me when I tell you this, where ever I am, I am not going to be a part of any of secrets to be kept from any peoples. If someone wants to know something, I will tell them everything I know. Everything! So if you don't want that to happen, then I suggest you think about giving me that tape!" Germany left the following day, tape in hand.

I hiked around hoping that what I felt wasn't going to be true. I was sitting in my motel room alone not knowing what to do. I had been in Hopi Land for three days. I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths and began to walk between worlds stepping into my quiet garden inside my heart. To Lake Lovely Water......

When I stepped through the gate to my garden there was this gigantic Katchina standing there. Before I could say "Bob's your Uncle" I was over his head as a little baby, naked like the day I was born. Then I was passed over the head of another and then before it all got right out of control, I stopped the whole thing. "Woaw stop!  Stop! Stop, stop, stop, stop now!  This is not going to happen. This is my garden. This is my head. I am not going to let this happen, because it will be something I'll have to explain!  And let me tell you right now, no, I repeat no Hopi's will be happy about the whole thing!!!!  So get lost and get out of my garden !!!!" I reversed everything then went back to my garden. When I opened the gate to my garden the whole place was black. I reversed out of the gate, shut the gate and came back in. It was black. I reversed out of the gate, shut the gate came back in, it was black. I reversed out of the gate, shut the gate came back in, it was black. "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"  I reversed out of the gate, shut the gate came back in, it was black. "Shit!!!!" I reversed out of the gate, shut the gate, came back in another 10 times it was always Black!  Okay, I thought okay, have it your way but you explain it to everyone.  I'm telling you they ain't going to be happy. I stepped back into the garden. There was the Katchina waiting for me. Up over his head. Then another, and another, another, another, and so it went until I went over 12 of their heads finally be placed into a pool of water.  It felt wonderful despite the fact I was feeling extremely peevish as later I would find out I had become a White Kachina.

.......... I came out feeling fired up. I was not going to wait for any Hopi Elders to deem what I was doing was okay or not. At anytime in my history of my short life, this out come was usually disappointing. I always felt controlled. I always felt hurt.  And more than always beat myself up later for being "Several Sandwiches Shy of a Picnic Basket," for not trusting my own intuition. At that precise moment I knew, that I could not hold my breath waiting for them.  They were not coming.

I "B Lined"  it out of my room to the jewelry shop next-door. I had a gut feeling about someone there. Violet watched me as I strolled through her shop door.  I said, "Excuse me ma’am, I had this dream..." I told her why, when, what and how. "......I'm going to be leaving Hopi tomorrow. I've decided to dance where no one can stop me. It’s just that I need to show one person from Hopi the costume. Just one."  Violet looked at me gently. "John, you bring it by at 6 o’clock.  I'll see it then. John?" I turned as I was about to leave. "We call the costume a bird, because it is a Bird."  I arrived back at Violet’s shop at 6 o’clock.  I put the Bird on.  She recoiled.  "It’s scary."  The Bird nodded then shrugged its shoulders. "It’s very beautiful."  The Bird lifted it’s wings in thanks. "If it was me I would let you dance, but the police watch and they would throw you in jail."  The Bird nodded sadly in agreement. As I was placing the Bird carefully back into my bag in walked a white fellow, I would get to know as Richard Impelitor.  He was 6 foot 2, the cowboy hat made him taller and so did his boots.  He was wearing a long Australian riding jacket. The one that reaches to your feet.  He looked as Texan as I would imagine one. "Where ya headed?"  "I'm off to the Grand Canyon tomorrow."  "Listen", he said. "I'm going to Flaggstaff tomorrow.  If you want a ride I'll drop you off." I went to say good-bye to Violet, thanking her.  I met Richard at the arranged time. We climbed into his brand spanking new Ram Dodge. Off we went west towards the Grand Canyon. I was feeling much better. "John?"  "Yes."  "Did you know that Violet’s people call her a witch?"  This was a most unusual ice breaker.  "No," I said.  "Well, they do." "Isn't that interesting?"   "Why?", he said.  "Well, it always baffles me that when a person is strong with medicine other people always call them a witch. It baffles me more, that the Natives would do this to their own people. I always assume that they known better. I guess people are people."  "Well, I had to make sure you were no wacko. So I asked Violet what you were like." "Oh and what did she say?" I asked cautiously. "She said you were exactly like her."  "Oh, that's quite a complement", I replied. "So, John?"  "So, Richard."  "So John, are you a witch?"   "Ha,ha ha good heavens no. I'm just a strong person like Violet that sees and feels things that other people don't."  "That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure".  We laughed together for a nervous moment.  I too was wondering if Richard was a wacko. He wasn't. He was a Car Salesman.  "Violet told me you had this Big White Bird."  "Yes?"  "Well, I thought I would stop over there and you could pose beside my truck."   "I don't think so."   "No I didn't think you would go for it, but I thought it was worth a try."  We talked of other things. His children, my family, his business, my journey.  "Why you want to go to Dance in the Grand Canyon?  Its cold, there’s nothing but Japanese tourist up there taking pictures. If I were you I'd go to Sedona.  Yep, Sedona is where I would go. It’s full of big huge Red Rocks. There's this one called Chivas Rock. If I was to do a jig, I would do it there."  "Okay"  I said quite casually.  "Don't take my word for it."  "I'm going to Richard."  "Hell why?"  "Well, you just got a tone in your voice like my mother gets when she see something. I know to listen to that voice. Its usually right."  "Shit no kidding." Richard dropped me off on the Road to Sedona. It was 40 miles south of Flagstaff. I was told about Sedona before. It is known to be the "New Age Crystal" capital of the USA. Everyone was going to or coming from Sedona. I had heard so much about it, I thought it was truly worth avoiding.  No one ever seemed to have their feet on the ground when they went, when they were there or after they got back.  As I was driven down from the hills between the pillars of rock, my heart soared.  I saw....

Birdpeople falling into the sky, off  grand cathedrals of red rock.  Pillars (like the beginnings to a great city) side by each. One after another.Birdpeople of hundreds flocked into the air. And there was something else, I could hear......they were singing.

........ and I felt a knowing. It was hot. The sun beaded droplets of water from my skin. The air-conditioned “Information” building felt good. I inquired about Chivas rock. It was 20 miles out of town. Off the main road. “Is there a bus?" The man killed himself laughing. "Do you have a credit card?"

I killed myself laughing saying, “Not since the divorce." "Oh, then I am sorry sir. There is no other way, other than walking in." I was sunk. I was running out of time and money. A voice behind me said something. I ignored it. I was becoming desperate. A finger tapped me on the shoulder. The voice said again, “I, I will take you any where you want to go. Where do you want to go?" I turned to face a man who looked like a vagrant but sounded completely trusting. "Chivas Rock." John Buck picked up my bags, placing them in his car. "Then we ought to go."  I was dazed, zoned as the diesel Rabbit scurried down the road with me in it. We turned into the valley before "Chivas Rock." I was home. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged. John Buck turned, smiled at me and said what I was thinking.  "Welcome Home." I was in orbit. We stood at the base. I pulled out my pipe and my medicines. I sprinkled gifts from Roy, of cedar, all over the ground. Emptying the 6 oz's of green dust onto the floor of Chivas Rock. I gave a eagle feather to John Buck. We had a ceremony of the pipe.  It was the Rights to Passage. I was soaring already and I hadn't yet started to fly. Chivas Rock was enormous with a cathedral sized rock protecting it’s side.  The top was empty.  No Bird dropped from that plateau. Moving quickly, not in my mind, I prepared the for the dance.  It was the 27th of December, I had three days left.  Most everyone had given up hope. At least I'm sure Grey Wolf had. Some would say that I was too late already. I reflect on my life knowing that it was what it was and now was the time.  John Buck took Granpa from my hands.  "Here’s what you do John Buck.  You drum slow until you feel me speed up then you drum fast for a while.  Then when you feel me slowing down, drum slow."  "I don't know if I can, but I will give it my best."  "I know you can John Buck. Believe that I believe you can."   "Beside’s anything else,"  said John Buck  "it'll make for cheap entertainment."  I laughed. He laughed.  I stepped into the Bird...... It was fast. The flow was strong. Birdpeople sang swooping down to me in rhythm.  The drum began as I put the my face on.  Bird crouched low waiting for the beat.  Waiting, then from my being it came.  I hoped it would.  I even prayed.  It came as the Bird began the Journey in the opposite way around the circle. Time turned back on itself.  The Bird twirled once, twice, three times around the circle. Then in the last cycle it began, it’s  happening.  The Bird was rotating from the south into the east. A gust of wind from nowhere came and lifted me/Bird into the air.  I, Bird was filled with electric blue. I, Bird felt like something had filled my chest with a huge electrical power cable.  I, Bird jumped to dance into ballistics. As Granpa pounded the air.  "Birdpeople I've come back home.  I am here. It is time."

Red Rock spiraled downwards below my feet. .......quietly now I sank back to the ground.  I knelt exhausted, looking to the cathedral in the sky.  The Red Rock,"Chivas Rock."  I know I danced on you.  John Buck leaned down.  "I saw you dance up there.  I saw you dance on the Cathedral Rock, John." 

...... Voices came into me.  "Rest little one, rest now."

We were packing up when I said under my breath.  "You thought you could stop it.  Too late. Tehee."

I heard them. The hounds had found me. It was too strong.  I hurried up without telling John Buck. They came closer. We're going to die like the times before. They would come with guns to kill us. The ceremony was done. It would not matter now. I would just have to prepare to die as I had in the past.  The past. The life of frustration flashing before my eyes as men.  My people came to kill me. Red faces corrupted by the mindless souls. I knew they were coming.  I heard them the nights before. The door was kicked in. I smiled a smile. I could smell their fear. A rifle went off. A body fell.  I came as fierce as a bear ripping at them. My dreams, I thought it would happen now, but it'll all happen in a hundred years. I heard them coming, the hounds.

......I was petrified by a noise. I had to be quick. Subtly, I rushed John Buck into getting cleaned up. It was too late.  They were upon us. History was to repeat itself. I sucked in some air. I held my breath. A family crested the hill. John Buck turned to me, seeing my face. The family was warm and whole. "Is there a good spot to see the sunset down there?"  "Yes,"  I said, as I sighed with relief, "Just down on the rise would be perfect. You'll find a clearing there." John Buck smiled at me. "It’s no longer the same", he said, “the tides have changed.”

The Bird Dance - 1992

My whole life I have been clairvoyant. Since I was younger I have talked to numerous wise old dead people in my head. Sometimes I’ve even seen some of those people at the foot of my bed at 3 am in the morning in a pitch-black room. I’ve seen them like I would see you, so real I could reach out and touch them. It’s also very important to tell you that my parents have always been very supportive of me seeing and talking to these wonderful wise old dead people who have a great sense of humor (the reason I know that is they spend a lot of time chuckling away at myself). My farther has been a UFO researcher for the last 55 years and my mother is an ecliptic open person who’s is an incredibly intuitive lady.

I’m am 41 years old and 9 years ago some of the peculiar things that happen to me in my life sudden took turn into epic portions. 

I was visiting a friend down in Hunnington Beach California USA, October of 1990. I was sleeping in his guest room when something started to stir out of the closet. I got up and couched down in the corner of the room because I was so scared. (I wasn’t in the dream and I wasn’t awake. I seem to be in the in-between place, in the room but things where the same and different.)

This huge White Bird came floating out of the closet some 10ft high. I never saw her spread her wings but I’m sure she would have had a 20ft wingspan. Her energy was so intense that it made me shake.  I had a good sense about her but still being in that room with her was an indescribable experience. Her energy was so immense it took my breath away. I shook visually as she approached and all I could do was to lift and finger to touch her wing as she lifted it to me.

 I looked up to her face but it was all burred out.  She turned and moved to the vanity, with a mirror (that wasn’t in the room in the real world) and on her left shoulder was this huge White Eagle. I stood up and walked up behind her grabbed her shoulders and yelled, “Who are you!” It was at this moment that I woke up, from the dream into the real world.

A month or so after this I returned home to Vancouver Canada and six months after that I went on a vision quest (alone) up a mountain. When I left all of my First Nation friends looked at me like I wasn’t going to come back alive. I climb up to the lake (some 1500 ft above sea level) and in the course of 5 nights 6 days had some amazing life changing experiences. One of the more important events is that I open a doorway that had been closed for almost over 4000 years and out poured all this white light. It is still pouring out even now as I tell you this. I thought that this had some significance but really didn’t realize how much or why until years later.

In Sept. of 1991 I was waiting for the Skytrain (monorail) to pick me up at the Edmonds Station. It was approx. 4:00 PM the platform was prerush hour and nobody was there except for me. When a First Nations voice (from outside of my head, from above and to my right) started talking to me. He said, “You will build a bird. It will be 10 ft by 5 ft, it will be all white and you will go dance in Hopi Land.” I looked straight up to where that voice was coming from. I was astounded, “What?”  Without out so much a pause, the voice answers, “You will build a bird. It will be 10 ft by 5ft, it will be all white and you will go dance in Hopi Land.”

 | sat there dumb founded, “What?” Again came the answer, “You will build a bird. It will be 10ft by 5 ft, it will be all white...”  “No.” I said. The voice continued on again “You will build a bird, it will be.....” “No.” I said again. “You will.” “No, I won’t. I am not going to build a white bird that’s 10ft by 5ft and take myself, my white anglo self down to a place where they have had at least 300 years of white tyranny and dance as big white bird! It’ll be a turkey shoot. No I won’t do it.” There was a little bit of silent and then the voice answer again with, “You will build a bird, it will be 10ft....”

I couldn’t believe this guy. “No. Go get yourself another white boy cause I ain’t doing it!” I was getting irritated with this fellow. “You will.” And stubborn boy was he stubborn well I was going to have some wise old dead guy who I’d never heard before send me down to a place where I wouldn’t be well received even at the best of times. “No.” I said. And then we argued back and forth. “You will do it.”  “No I won’t.” “You will.” “I won’t” “You will.” The Skytrain came and that was the end of that.

Until I mentioned the story to a Co-Salish friend of mine Si’Taxulwood. (Now I don’t think that all First Nations people are seeing in fact there not but some are and I have been very lucky to know a few of them.) She took the story in and didn’t say anything again until some time later. We were driving down the backcountry of the Sqaumish river valley when "Si’Taxulwood turned to me quite casually and said, “When do you think you’ll dance?” I looked at her a little perturbed and thought that I would tell her a date so far off in the distance that no one will remember, they all forget and I’ll be left in peace. “Before the end of 93.” Little did I know that I had just sealed my fate? "Si’Taxulwood sure new what she was doing however, that sly wonderful women.

Years had past and I had totally forgotten what I had said to her. Not that I am in the habit of not keeping promises or that I lie to people, I’m not, I don’t, however I definitely didn’t think that anyone was listening. Nor did I ever think I would be held to something said so off the cuff in a causal conversation. Well I was soooo wrong.

I was visiting a friend one night and we where all sitting in the living room talking when my friends wife and I started to spontaneously travel. Like a dream journey but when you are wide awake. The next thing I know we are down in the Midwest of America on the banks of the Mississippi River talking to these 14 Old First Nations guys (who I’ve never met) and they’re talking to her about something. When we get back 30 minutes later she tells me, “They want to know why I haven’t kept my promise?” I was absolutely dumb struck. I had no idea what the hell they where talking about.

I mean I’m the type of person that keeps almost all of his promises, if they’re reasonable requests. So when "Si’Taxulwood reminded me of what I said three years ago.  I caved. My plan was a total blow out. The only person, who managed to forget, was me.

I made the Big White Bird in record time, to the surprise of my farther. He kept asking, “How do you know how to make a bird? Have you ever made one before? Do you have a blueprint, or a plan or something?” I just knew. It was something inside of me. I thought about it for a while and then I made it. I’m an Artist, were supposed to be able to do that. Aren’t we? So the bird was made, my farther was speechless, and I had brought my train ticket and it was the cheapest way to get to Winslow Arizona USA.

Just as I was about to leave my mother hugs me and says, “Oh, john dear, I know you think your going down there and sit in a motel for 6 days but...” and then suddenly Mum’s voice gets this strange echoy sound to it, like it was coming from some far off distant place. “....I SEE YOU DANCING ON RED ROCK.” I stand there in shock. She gives me another huge quickly and says, “ I know you didn’t want to hear that but DANCE AND THEY WILL COME.”  I was totally stunned now. “Mum,” I said, “ This is not the field of dreams for crying out loud. Why did you have to go and say that?” “I know dear I’m sorry but DANCE AND THEY WILL COME.’

It was December 18th 1993 and I was heading to spend Xmas alone on some Mesa some where, on a Hopi Reservation, who’s people I presumed (and for good reason) would not be welcoming my little white self with open arms. I was less than thrilled. Before I had left Vancouver Canada I had asked my friend if I should notify someone that I was coming. She said that they already know and not to worry. Uncle JimmyJimmy, who is "Si’Taxulwood Uncle, just told me not to loose my head as he tapped me by my ear and laughed. So when I arrived on the mesa and started telling the story to some kindly Hopi young people they suggested to me not to tell my story to the elders because they’d throw me in jail.

Then I met this interesting German woman who listened to my story and told me not to worry that she was in very tight with the elders and she would tell them for me. That made me worry even more. When she arrived back to the motel some hours later she instructed me that the elders would be by to visit within the next 5 days. I waited two days without a sign of any elders and I also had this sinking, dropping feeling in the pit of my intuitive stomach which said, “Now really if you where a native Hopi elder and that German lady came by to talk to you and share your story what would you do?”

I started packing up. I did show the bird to one Hopi person named Violet. She owned a jewelry store close to the motel and she was a kindly person. I found out later that her own people called her a witch. (I find that fear and ignorance make people say some pretty bizarre stuff.) She was quite impressed and told me that she would let me dance but the elders would see and I would get thrown in jail. Enough Jail stuff I was out of there. I hitched a ride with this Car salesman Richard Impalitor who asked me where I was going. I told him I was going to the Grand Canyon the next thing I know he’s telling me to go dance a “CHIVAS ROCK” In that same strange from the ether voice that my Mum has. So I thank him and head down to Sedonna Arizona USA.

In Sedonna I was talking to this guy on how to get to Chivas Rock. When someone from behind keeps tapping me on the shoulder. When I turn around I am looking at this guy with a long beard who keeps saying to me, “I’ll take you any where you want to go.”

I climb in the car with John Buck and we head off too Chivas Rock some 20 minutes out of town.  I am down to the wire at this point, with only few days to go before my dead line. And now because everyone had told me that they’d throw me in jail if I dance well hell I’m going to dance now come Hell or high water. I’m mad now. Well not to mad but I came to do something and I was going to do it.

I found out from talking to John Buck that he too was on a walk about and he knew the moment he step into the info building that he had to take me anywhere I wanted to go. Now I didn’t tell anyone but before I had left Vancouver I had felt that I was finally going home.

When John Buck and I rounded the corner and enter the valley my whole heart surged with excitement because I was home. At that precise moment John Buck leaned over to me and said “Welcome Home.” Jesus I thought this man is uncanny.

We arrived at the Rock; I took out my big drum and showed John Buck how to play her. “When I dance slow, beat slowly, when I dance fast, beat quickly.” I threw some herbs put on the bird with the mask and was ready to go. “Remember” John mused, “If it’s anything it’ll be good entertainment.” We both laughed.

I started to dance and sing as best I could, traveling in a counter clockwise direction. Now it’s mighty hard to sing under that thing but that’s what I thought at the time I was supposed to do. It makes it pretty hard to breathe. I’ve taken dance lessons before and I’ve seen a few Pow Wows so I thought I would let my heart go and see what happens. Follow my instincts.

I was going around the circle for the third time when I had just turn to the east and then wind pick up my wings. Then next thing that happened is that out from the sky came this huge Jolt/bolt of electricity right in between my solar plexis in my chest. It made me jump, hop, dance like a crazy man. It was so intense I nearly leapt off the ground after the initial jolt. Like 1000 volts of electricity was coursing through my body. After I was done I knelt breathless on the ground looking up to Chivas Rock and I thought to myself that I had danced on that Huge Red Rock just like my mother had predicted. Then John Buck comes to me and says,” See that Red Rock?” I nod as he continues, “I saw you dance up there.”

Over the course of a few days with John Buck I found out that he was placing the “Keys of Eknoc” into the ground around the world and he was almost done. In this book he was telling me about it says that when the keys are all placed the “White Bird will come.”

This was getting too freakkin wild even for myself. I tell you I was sooooo believing in spiritual intervention. I have always but now, then, wow, it was all happening boom, boom, and boom.

John Buck dropped me off at the Flagstaff Am track train station heading to Los Angles. I sat down by this lady who asked me what was in my big duffel bag. I told her that I had a dream to dance in Hopi land so I came down to do just that. I was very tired at that time and told her quite quickly without the usual dramatic flare. She looked at me and said, “You won’t believe this but I have this friend in Minnesota and he’s been having the same dream but he has to dance in Navajo land.” My jaw hit the ground as my mum’s voice echoed inside my head “DANCE AND THEY WILL COME.”   “Where did you dance she asked?”  “Chivas Rock” I sputtered as I ran for the train. “Tell him to dance at Chivas Rock.”

I got to Los Angles and stayed at my friends place for the night and then the next day headed up to Seattle. I was sitting by myself when this Australian girl sat down beside me.

There was this family there and for some reason we started to talk about ESP and I told them I could tell what was up with a person just by holding their hands.  The mom wanted a demo so I took her hands and talked about 10 different things ending with “Oh, and you’ve sold your house and bought a new house on the other side of the tracks but you and your husband haven’t told the kids you’d thought you’d wait until you got home.” Well the kids looked at their mom then me then back to mom. Mom’s face goes slack as she explains that she wanted to tell them but that they thought it be best to wait until after the visit with Grandma.

Suddenly the Australian girl (her name escapes me at the moment for some reason) gives me her hands and asks me to do it with her. So I hold her hands in mine. She pulls them away and then tells me that her head, chest, pelvis, and hands are on fire. I apologize saying that this wasn’t something that usually happened. She looks at me and says, “I going to tell you something but I think you might think its crazy.” Then she proceeds to tell me. “I think I’m this Huge Bird.” “How big is the wing span?” I ask. “Oh I don’t know, ah 10ft by 5ft.” Again I’m just speechless. “But you know the really crazy thing is that I think I’m this huge White Bird.” Now this young lady boarded the train late. In fact she almost missed it. So she didn’t see me with my luggage, which sat in the compartment 40 feet away on the first floor of the train. For the next 18 hours I told her as much as I could about what I knew about the White Bird.

 

When I arrived back in Vancouver Canada nothing much happened for another 6 months and then one night I was woken up by the Big White Bird from the in-between place. I got up the next day and took the bird to Aunty Nora’s and she invited me to dance in the Capilano Pow Wow. I was worried they where going to hurt me if I did that but she assured me that “We Squamish people we nice people.”

So in late August of 1994 I put on the bird and began to dance in the “All nations dance.” When I put on the bird I am totally covered and the mask has a shroud so it’s impossible to tell who I am. I started to dance that day and as I went around the circle the gossip hubbub was like a loud wave following me. I thought at that moment that the whole thing was one big mistake and I was going to take the whole thing off and give it all up. Well when I got to the north, where the elders sit, three children jumped into my arms and for the next three days 15 to 20 children followed me every time I went out. On the last day the elders honor me with my own dance.

For the next 3 to 4 years I dance in approx. 12 Pow Wow in front of some 30,000 people and every time that I went out 15 to 20 children would follow me. At the end of the third year Aunty Nora dies and the next time I dance in the Capilano Pow Wow they ask me to leave. So I did without a fuss. It was never my attention to scare anyone and it seemed they were pretty bothered about something. I head up to talk to Uncle Jake and he tells me “That blanket you wear is strong, if you red it’d be okay but you white. You should go dance in the bush.”

I’ve been dancing in the bush/forest for the last 8 years. Every 3 to 5 months I take the bird and with some wonderful friends we go to a nearby forest and I/the Bird, we dance. She’s changed over the years as I’ve learned more about her. It’s not a native dance of America first nations peoples, no it’s more global, and for me it has Celtic origins. The only reason I thought it was First Nations in the beginning was because of its feathers but if we were in Austrialia the dance would be with the aboriginals, and if it was in Sweden it would be with the Laplanders and so on.

It is a dance of old medicine and the culture that most connects to that, will draw the bird to them.  My friend Fraiser plays the celtic drum, Di the alto recorder and may bring a guitar, Jill my wife plays a native drum and sings occasionally and soon Beau will come with his drum and Alex with her pin whistle. This is a dance of creative spontaneity. A dance of the heart, for all hearts, of every nation, from every place.

This is a dance to awaken the ancestors. Not just our human ancestors but deeper, further back, from the stars, from the red plant (no not mars) and from the blue planet in another place from another time to awaken the bird, the thunderbird, the griffin, phoenix, to bring back the fire, to spark the dream and the dreamers. To help guide the “Children of Hope’’ like water rushing down the river.

I am looking for you are you looking for me? If you or anyone you know is having extreme unusual experiences and dreams of having to dance as a huge bird of any color, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Or if you read this and prefer to go to Chivas Rock and dance, all the power to you. When you’ve done it, I’d love to hear how it went, your experiences and your stories. And if you’ve already danced I’d love to hear your impression and stories.  I am looking to listen.

Duende (c)