The Call of the Wild
The music, a strange, pulsating rhythm, filled the forest. It was unlike anything he'd heard before. A voice, raw and potent, sang of fire and desire. It felt as though this was the first time he experienced music, rather than just listening to it. It was as though the music was connecting him to something ancient and wild.
Thomas was a solitary boy, lost in his own thoughts. The wild energy of the 1960s seemed distant from his quiet life. He found peace in a secluded patch of woods near home. Then came the music, a raw and powerful sound that shattered his peaceful retreat. It was an invitation to something unknown and thrilling.
As the music soared to its peak, a surge of energy coursed through Thomas. A tingling sensation spread through his body, making him feel part of something vast and powerful. In that electrifying moment, a seed of curiosity was planted, a yearning to explore the unknown depths of this new world.
Seeds of Awakening
At fifteen, Thomas discovered the world of Carlos Castaneda. Drawn to tales of peyote rituals and the power of plants, he was captivated by the idea of hidden realms accessible through altered states. A longing for something beyond his ordinary life took root.
The hippie house was a vibrant center of experimentation, adorned with Jimi Hendrix posters and day-glo peace signs. Marijuana smoke filled the air as music blasted out of a pair of very large speakers. Drawn to the unknown, Thomas desired to explore the limits of perception.
A copy of Carlos Castaneda’s "The Teachings of Don Juan" circulated among the crowd, promising hidden worlds through psychedelic experiences. Thomas was eager to delve deeper into these altered states. He longed to become an active participant in a world of endless potential.
His psychedelic experiences, combined with a growing fascination for altered states, ignited a thirst for knowledge. When a looming history paper introduced Thomas to the harrowing world of Native American history, he found a deeper resonance. His choice of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" as a topic immersed him in the heartbreaking story of the Paiute prophet, Wovoka, and the desperate hope of the Ghost Dance movement.
This introduction to indigenous spirituality ignited a fire within Thomas. He saw parallels between the Native American quest for spiritual connection and his own explorations of consciousness. The counterculture had prepared him for this journey, and he was determined to preserve and honor the wisdom of these lost traditions.
Doors of Perception
At seventeen, the summer of love was in full bloom. LSD offered access to states of expanded consciousness, promising a glimpse into reality's hidden structures. A mix of fear and excitement drove Thomas to embark on the journey.
The experience was a whirlwind of sensations. Colors erupted, sounds morphed, and time dissolved. He lost himself in a world where self and reality merged. It was a terrifying yet exhilarating descent into the unknown depths of his mind.
In this altered state, Thomas felt a profound oneness with nature. The world vibrated with life, a pulsating energy. It was a glimpse into a realm untouched by human limitations, a space of pure, unfiltered being.
When the experience subsided, Thomas was changed. The ordinary world now seemed a pale imitation of the vibrant reality he had glimpsed. The LSD trip had ignited a deep longing for authenticity, a desire to live in harmony with nature. This experience foreshadowed the extraordinary shamanic journeys he would eventually undertake.
Inner Compass
The counterculture was a creative source of new ideas. Seeking inner peace and understanding, Thomas delved into Eastern philosophies. Thomas found peace and meaning in Buddhism and Taoism, which offered a different perspective on life compared to the materialistic world around him.
Inspired by the Beatles' exploration of Eastern thought, particularly their transformative trip to India, meditation became a sanctuary from the chaos of the world. As he sat in quiet contemplation, Thomas began to explore the depths of his consciousness. At first he had a hard time controlling his thoughts, but was eventualy able to still his mind. With each passing day, he experienced a deepening sense of peace.
Images of blooming flowers and gentle rain filled his inner vision. He felt a profound connection to the rhythm of nature. His breath mirrored the Earth's steady pulse. In these moments, he felt a connection to a world beyond his physical body, a place of pure thought where time and space seemed to disappear.
Buddhism challenged his Western-rooted belief in control and certainty by emphasizing life's impermanence. He learned to embrace change, finding peace in life's ever-flowing nature. Taoism resonated with his growing connection to the natural world, teaching him balance and harmony. He began to see himself as an integral part of a vast, interconnected web of life.
This blend of philosophy and scientific curiosity created a unique worldview. Drawn to the idea that the universe is a field of energy rather than just matter, Thomas laid the groundwork for his future work with plants as living energy systems.
Ancient Knowledge
Thomas's interest in shamanism was rekindled during a college Myth and Ritual class, where Mircea Eliade's "Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy" was required reading. Eliade's exploration of universal symbols, or archetypes, resonated with him. They helped him realize there is a hidden structure within the human psyche and our connection to the spiritual realm.
Thomas's exploration of shamanic practices revealed a profound interconnectedness among diverse cultures, a shared human heritage that expanded his worldview. Inspired by the counterculture's emphasis on freedom and spirituality, he joined a generation seeking deeper meaning. Disillusioned with conventional life, they turned to alternative spiritual paths, igniting a fire within Thomas.
For Thomas, this journey began in the woods, sparked by a haunting melody. There, immersed in nature, he first sensed a connection to something ancient and profound. The counterculture had opened his mind, and shamanism provided a framework for understanding these emerging experiences.
The Healer's Path
In the present, Thomas thought of himself as a holistic healer. Inspired by the works of pioneers like James Duke, Jethro Kloss and Susun Weed, Thomas delved into the healing properties of plants. Yet, despite his expertise, a void lingered, a longing for something intangible. Desperate for answers, he delved into his subconscious through past life regression.
There, in the depths of his mind, he discovered an ancient memory, a forgotten identity intertwined with the living Earth. As a healer in a bygone era, his soul had been intimately connected to the vibrant fabric of nature. The knowledge he unearthed was a profound revelation, a missing piece to the intricate puzzle of his existence.
As he deepened his botanical studies, a subtle shift occurred. Thomas began to perceive plants not as mere specimens but as sentient beings, each possessing a unique spirit and wisdom. Through patient observation and meditation, he forged profound connections. The plants in his backyard became his confidants, sharing their secrets with him.
Thomas was deeply devoted to understanding the language of plants. He spent countless hours in the woods, carefully observing every detail. The rustling leaves, the earthy scent, and the gentle wind were all clues to the secrets held within the plant kingdom.
Inspired by his past life as a healer, Thomas began creating rituals to honor and communicate with the plant kingdom. He envisioned sacred spaces nestled deep in the woods, adorned with plants chosen for their specific energies. In these sanctuaries, he hoped to connect with the plant spirits, seeking guidance and healing.
The woods, once a solitary retreat, transformed into his sacred space. Here, amid the rustling leaves and the pulse of the earth, he discovered a profound connection to the ancient world. He became a bridge between the past and the present. The boy who'd found solace in a forgotten song had evolved into a man who carried the spirit of a shaman, preserving the heart of the counterculture within the timeless rhythm of the natural world.
The Power of Belief
Thomas shook his head. Another failed consultation. Another person, desperate for relief, yet unwilling to trust the ancient wisdom of the plants. Their eyes, filled with doubt, were fixed on the imagined promise of a pill. Humanity seemed to have forgotten its ancestral connection to the natural world. Instead, they relied on the rapid solutions offered by synthetic treatments.
He'd poured countless hours into research, experimentation, and crafting remedies. Each plant, a living entity with its own intelligence, offered a unique healing potential. Time and again, his patients were skeptical. The drug industry reigned supreme, and its fast-acting pills overshadowed natural healing.
Overcome with a feeling of frustration, Thomas felt he fighting a losing battle. Or was there still hope, a flicker of understanding in the hearts of those who sought true healing?
The next patient, a woman in her late thirties, seemed different. Her eyes held a mixture of hope and resignation. Thomas listened carefully to her symptoms, nodding in understanding. He recommended a blend of valerian root and chamomile to soothe her anxiety.
"I've tried that before," she said, her voice flat. "Didn't do anything."
Thomas leaned forward, his tone gentle. "Herbal remedies can work differently for each person. Have you used it regularly for a few weeks?"
She shook her head. "A couple of days."
"Many of my patients have found relief with this blend," Thomas explained. "It's a gentle approach, but it takes time to work. It's also important to consider other factors, like diet and stress levels."
The woman looked skeptical. "I guess I’ll give it a try."
She returned a few weeks later, looking both relieved and perplexed. "It worked," she confessed, "but I can't explain it."
Thomas smiled. "It's more than just the plant, though that's essential. Our minds are incredibly powerful. Believing in a remedy can significantly enhance its effectiveness. It's a delicate balance of nature and inner strength."
The woman paused, considering his words. "Oh, it's the placebo effect?"
Thomas shook his head. "Not exactly. The placebo effect is a powerful tool, but it's more about the mind and body working together. The plant acts as a catalyst."
The Return
Thomas felt uneasy as he entered the woods. He believed the world had lost its connection to nature's ancient wisdom. He needed to reconnect. As he walked deeper, the familiar sounds and smells of the forest calmed him.
Thomas returned to the clearing where he'd first heard the mysterious music that had profoundly impacted him. He sat on a fallen log, closed his eyes, and put on his headphones. The pulsating rhythm filled his ears, taking him back in time.
As the music filled his mind, a surge of energy coursed through him. He was no longer exhausted by his struggle against modern medicine. He felt a deep connection to the natural world, a connection he'd thought lost. The ancient wisdom that flowed through his veins was renewed.
Thumbnail By Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942 - Published as halftone in Harper's Weekly, 1897, p. 807., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1640106