Fri, Jun 23, 2006
Veddha people, of Sri Lanka, have a magical link with the jungle and a tradition of elaborate rituals to placate angry gods as well as amazing medicinal plants and healing practices. The current chief of the Veddha is Vanniyala Ehto. He cares for the health and well being of his people using a tradition taught to him by his father. In turn, he is passing on these sacred traditions on to his son who is just gaining in confidence with learning these ways. Come with us as we walk through the jungles and see examples of healing plants and demonstrations of how they are used for specific types of healing.
Fri, Jun 23, 2006
The botanists of the Welsh National Botanical Gardens understand the important role plants have played with the healings arts. Saying "No plants, no humans", reminds us of the urgency of having a solid conservation program. The botanists are inspired by the lore of ancient Welsh folk remedies and use modern understanding of healing compounds in plants from all over the world, some extremely rare. Meet the botanists of the gardens to learn of the lore and history that inspires them, the plants they are working to preserve, and the nature of the work they do to protect and preserve healing plants from all over the world.
Fri, Jun 30, 2006
Australia has been a land of great tumult for the aboriginal people. From these ordeals comes two great healers; healing body, spirit and community. Listen to the tales from community healer Minnie Mace who has risen from the darkest moments of her life to inspire and guide people, from all traditions, along their own healing path. Meet spiritual healer Samantha Martin as she tells how she reclaimed her heritage and is bringing her wisdom to her people.
Fri, Jun 30, 2006
In beautiful New Zealand, the indigenous Maori have practiced their ancient traditions for thousands of years. Two very different healing practitioners share their stories and offer deep healing insights that have helped them time and time again. Franchelle Ofsoske-Wyber comes from a long line of spiritual healers. She has been recognized by the Maori elders as a true healer. Dr. Rangimarie Turuki Arikirangi Rose Pere is a New Zealand spiritual teacher, guide and shaman. Come, spend some time with these two amazing people and gain deeper appreciation into their wisdom of healing physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Fri, Jun 30, 2006
The Cree people of Saskatchewan have suffered much devastation over the past several generations. Turning to their ancient healing tradition, they have learned how to heal themselves and thrive. Ray Levalee is a Cree Medicine Man whose compassion is clearly evident as he explains his traditions with a straight forward, matter of fact style. He invites us into his home as he displays his medicines and explains their uses and discusses how some of the healing ceremonies work. He explains that the medicine is not just for the Cree people, but for everyone. We also meet Norma Jean Bird, a Cree Elder that has learned Cree healing from her grandfather and teaches her traditions to eager new generations. She explains, to us, the values that she passes on and how life is a balance of the four directions of the medicine wheel. Meet these two amazing healers who carry on their ancient healing traditions as they pass it on to the coming generations with great respect and compassion.
Fri, Jun 30, 2006
San and Himba people of Namibia have practiced healing for over 10,000 years. They have a vast arsenal of healing plants which is important since they do not have access to modern medicine. Everyone learns about these medicines. It is not a practice limited to a few select individuals. Rather, everyone needs to know these things so the knowledge is not lost. Come with us as the San and Himba tribes of Namibia share with us their complex healing rituals and take us on a tour of the medicinal plants that have been used to heal for endless generations.
Thu, Jun 22, 2006
Navajo have a vast history of healing techniques that have been passed down, by word of mouth, from generation to generation. We first meet Virginia Boone a Navajo Medicine woman that learned her healing traditions from her father. She reveals the plants she uses and explains how she prepares them from drying, to infusing and making salves. Then, Virginia introduces her grandmother, Betty Slim, who is also a Navajo Medicine Woman. At a young age she learned she would have a sacred connection with the plants and become a healer. Finally we meet Alfred Mann, also a Navajo Medicine man who gives us insight into his healing practice. These three healers share their histories and give a brief glimpse into the ancient and powerful healing traditions of the Navajo.
Tue, Jun 20, 2006
Healing is all around us, all the time. Our best work is sometimes done when we least expect it. This is the thinking of Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, a trained medical doctor who also uses traditional aboriginal wisdom as part of his healing practice. Sit with Dr. Mehl-Madrona as he shares his history, healing insights, and shining pearls of wisdom about living healthy and happy.
Thu, Jun 22, 2006
Guatemala is home to the rich healing tradition of the Maya. Cristobal Garcia, a Mayan Priest tells us that Spirituality, in all cultures and religions, is the axis of life, of knowledge, of our relationship with the universe, and our the relationship with that energy that we call God. Unfulfilled with his Christian upbringing, Cristobal felt a strong calling to serve his people with Mayan Spirituality. When she came down with a debilitating illness she learned of her call to healing. She learned that as she learned to heal others, she was healing herself. Join us as we talk with these amazing healers as they share their stories and accomplishments.
Tue, Jun 20, 2006
Deep in the Andes once thrived the powerful empire of the Incas; well versed in the ways of traditional healings. These practices still survive today with Julia Varrana. She was born into a family of healers and felt the calling to become a healer, too, when her son took ill with liver cancer. She reconnected with the medicines of the earth and successfully cured him of his illness. Now she cares for the many people that have no access to modern medicine. Also, caring for his people is shaman Ruben Neira who explains that in his community there are few diseases because most of the time they are present connecting with mother earth. Join us as Ruben guides us through captivating traditional offering and healing ceremonies.
Fri, Jun 30, 2006
Ancient healing practices remind us that if we lose contact with nature, we lose contact with the spiritual world. And there is danger in that. With the rise of modern medicine, few people familiar with ancient healing traditions remain. Four such healers give us insight into their traditions and healing practices. Join us as we travel from Australia, to Wales, to Namibia and Peru to learn these healers' secrets and how they can help us stay connected with the natural and spiritual worlds.