Softening At the Heart
Today my guest is John Slattery, a Bioregional Herbalist. John has followed an unconventional path to becoming a professional herbalist. He shares about his gradual realization and acceptance of his calling as an herbalist and a compulsion to follow that path. He also talks about deeper ways of learning, especially in relationship with a teacher – not just human but also plants.
John has a depth of wisdom that is really powerful so I hope you enjoy this episode!
iTunes – Stitcher – Overcast – Spotify
Show Notes
https://www.johnjslattery.com/
Mam – indigenous people, language
Guidance/example to show us the way to go deeper into ourselves
-nature
-indigenous people – helped to have a reference from a living person
-being non-judgmental and accepting (*what if we encountered more people with this approach rather than being reactive, afraid, or judgmental towards others and expecting that they will give us that?)
Motivation from helping others
-watching others get excited, connect to nature
Being from somewhere
-relationship to place
-stories, plants, ancestors
-love for place
Recognize humanity in each other
-Being seen, reflected authentic self
Being
“You have to experience it before you can know it.”
Psilocybin mushrooms – helped to see the contrast between where I come from (culture) and what else exists for humankind
-helped to reflect clearly on self and where he came from
Nature
-Find what inspires you
Allen Ginsburg – “First thought, best thought.”
“Even when we don’t think we’re learning something, when we’re in the presence of a true teacher, there are things that are coming to us even unspoken that you could argue are intrinsically meant for us or at least have a tremendous potency for us that in time, we will come to understand.”
Quality of Being Podcast 