November/December 2023 Alchemical Voice

In healing work, I usually add a comment that I want the
healing to result in the best for the client and also the
best for the universe. As a mere human, I am not in a
position to fully grasp the complete difference between
good and bad. I was thinking about that when I was
sitting on the log in Taman Negara. Nature is neither
good nor bad. It is what it is. It would be wrong to be
judgemental when studying it. Morality and values – if
any – are on another level, within another framework. If
and when you encounter nature spirits, it is important
to try to keep this in mind. Otherwise, you will not be
able to understand any messages from them. You will
not be able to communicate, should you be so fortunate
as to be gifted that opportunity.
I remember a specific Shamanic work I did some years
ago. During the ceremony, I came across the spirit of a
gust of wind. Shamanism is an animistic view of planet
Earth and the Cosmos. A gust of wind can very well
have a spirit. The ritual demanded of me to speak to
that spirit.
Our conversation was quite bizarre and very challenging
for both of us. Most of my questions were answered by
a “What do you mean?” or “I do not understand?”
The most important condition when communicating
with nature spirits is to abandon human values and any
pre-conceived ideas you have. Any “you know” or “isn’t
it?” will only add confusion and misunderstanding.
The trick is really to not listen with your ears but to
drop to your heart and work from there. We need to
close our eyes so we can see more clearly. We need to
stop listening, so we can hear better.
Whilst sitting on the log, the odd twig fell upon me.
Dead leaves descended in a zigzag motion from the
trees and collected on my thighs and feet. Slowly and
with gentle ease the forest was claiming me to become
part of it. I realized that if I were to lie down on the
ground and draw my last breath, my body would soon
lose its shape and form, merge into the texture of the
rainforest and become integrated with the metabolism
and life cycle of nature. For a moment, I felt drawn to
the beauty of that process and I imagined Lord Byron
writing a poem about perishing in the jungle.
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