Episode 36
Can a plant hold the key to both personal transformation and cultural preservation? Today on the Psychedelic Mom, Michaela Carlin delves into the work of the organization Blessings of the Forest with its co-director, David Nassim. Blessing of the Forest’s mission is to reclaim and restore areas of the forest in Gabon, Africa affected by aggressive agriculture while empowering local communities to cultivate iboga using traditional methods.
Central to this conversation is the vital importance of listening to and involving the Gabonese people in the decision-making process. Blessings of the Forest recognizes that the traditional wisdom and practices associated with iboga are deeply rooted in Gabonese culture and must be protected. By engaging and respecting the local communities, the organization seeks to create a context that acknowledges their traditions and ensures their active participation in the preservation and sustainable use of iboga.
David emphasizes the need for a gradual and mindful approach to working with iboga, rather than rushing to exploit its potential. He highlights the profound effects that iboga can have on individuals, including reevaluations of beliefs and behaviors. This transformative power underscores the importance of approaching iboga with reverence as well as caution, ensuring its use is guided by respect for the plant and the cultural heritage it embodies.
David Nassim is Co-Director of Blessings of the Forest with Yann Guignon. David focuses on Indigenous rights advocacy associated with iboga and fundraising in the international arena. His background has been in Chinese medicine for over 23 years, culminating in consultancy and teaching with a focus in the energetics of self-healing response. He has a special interest in psychotropic plants, and raising awareness of Indigenous people’s deep instinctive understanding of their own herbal medicine heritage. He feels that reciprocity is a vital approach to sustainable relationships and that Indigenous cultures must be consulted in the use of their ancient medicinals for truly safe and effective treatment. He feels we must accurately bridge Indigenous people's understanding when applied to modern western world issues, especially when shaping safe-practice.
Episode Highlights
Empowering local communities in Gabon, Africa to cultivate iboga for international distribution
The importance of involving the Gabonese people in the decision-making process
The deep roots of traditional wisdom and practices associated with iboga in Gabonese culture
How Blessings of the Forest is working towards the protection and sustainable cultivation of iboga in Gabon
Creating a context that acknowledges traditions and ensures active participation in the preservation and sustainable use of iboga
Taking a gradual and mindful approach to working with iboga rather than rushing to exploit its potential
The profound effects of iboga on individuals and how it can prompt reevaluations of beliefs and behaviors
Understanding the need for financial support aligned with principles of reciprocity and resource protection
Prioritizing responsible and ethical partnerships for the well-being of the Gabonese people and the sustainability of iboga
Concerns about potential colonization and the need to safeguard the traditional wisdom associated with the medicine
Addressing these challenges through clear regulations and consensus within the Gabonese community
Implementing the Nagoya Protocol to protect cultural heritage and ecological integrity
Prioritizing Gabonese voices, responsible partnerships, and clear regulations for a future that honors the cultural and ecological importance of iboga
David Nassim’s Links
Website: www.blessingsoftheforest.org
Instagram: @blessingsoftheforest
Facebook: Blessings Of The Forest NGO
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
* * * * *
Special thanks to Jeremy Colbert (Taragápe) for the original podcast theme music.
You can find out more about Jeremey’s work here:
taragape.com and @taragape