Beyond the Known: Welcoming Mysteries, Becoming Whole

🎙️ Welcome to a truly inspiring episode of The Art of Slowing Down Podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Angell Deer—a remarkable individual dedicated to holistic wellness, environmental conservation, and spiritual enlightenment. 🌲 Angell is the founder of The Sanctuary, a renowned shamanic healing center located in the serene Catskill Mountains, New York. For over nine years, he has created a haven for those seeking to connect with nature and ancient wisdom teachings. 🐝 Angell also serves as the founder and executive director of the New York Bee Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization focused on the protection and preservation of bees and wild pollinators, championing bee conservation on both local and global scales. 🌍 In this episode, we delve into Angell's extraordinary journey—from his early connection with nature and becoming a veterinarian to his successful corporate career and eventual quest for internal fulfillment. Angell shares insights from his travels and teachings with masters in India, Nepal, the Amazon, and beyond. 💬 With profound reflections on the purpose of life, the essence of true wealth, and the importance of community and connection, Angell's wisdom is a beacon for those feeling misalignment in their lives. Learn how ancient teachings and a life of service can lead to lasting happiness and fulfillment. ✨ Get ready for an enriching conversation that explores deep concepts of happiness, external success versus internal fulfillment, and the timeless wisdom of ancient cosmologies. 👉 Tune in now and discover how you can climb the internal career ladder with ancient shamanic wisdom!  

In this enlightening talk, Marita One Who Catches Lightning and Angell Deer explore the profound wisdom of creation from diverse cultural cosmologies. They delve into the sacred Andean and indigenous perspectives, contrasting them with Western approaches to creativity. Learn how to connect with unseen realms, the womb of creation, and the importance of humility, dreams, and ancestral knowledge in the creative process. Discover the transformational power of the unknown and the magic of deep relationships with all beings.   #WisdomPath #JaguarAndDeer #MaritaOneWhoCatchesLightning #AngellDeer #IndigenousWisdom #CreationFromTheUnknown #SpiritualJourney #AndeanCosmology #SacredRelationships #AncestralKnowledge #DreamsAndVisions #CreativeProcess #CulturalContrasts #HolisticCreation

Welcome to "The Wisdom Path of the Jaguar & the Deer," where Angell Deer and Marita One Who Catches Lightning dive deep into the essence of "Community." In this enlightening talk, they explore the traditional and contemporary perspectives of community, the challenges of forming genuine connections in the modern Western world, and the profound lessons we can learn from indigenous ways of life. Join us as we discuss the cultural, spiritual, and practical facets of building and maintaining strong, cohesive communities. 🔍 **Key Topics:** - The meaning of community from ancient and modern perspectives - The role of rituals, values, and protocols in traditional communities - The challenges of creating community in a transactional society - Insights into the spiritual and practical aspects of community life - Reflections on conflict resolution and the non-human centric view of community 📌 **Tags/Keywords:** Community Building, Indigenous Wisdom, Traditional Practices, Spirituality, Cultural Connections, Modern Society Challenges, Rituals and Protocols, Conflict Resolution, Land Stewardship, Angell Deer, Marita One Who Catches Lightning Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more enriching discussions on traditional wisdom and modern life integration. 🌿✨ #Community #IndigenousWisdom #Spirituality #CulturalConnections #AngellDeer #MaritaOneWhoCatchesLightning #TraditionalPractices #ModernSociety #ConflictResolution #LandStewardship

In this episode of "The Wisdom Path of the Jaguar and the Deer," Marita One Who Catches Lightning and Angell Deer delve into the profound topic of animals as wisdom keepers. The discussion centers on the invaluable lessons humans can learn by connecting deeply with the animal kingdom. From the smallest insects to the largest predators, Marita and Angell explore how each creature carries unique wisdom through its life cycle, behaviors, and interconnectedness with the natural world. The hosts emphasize the importance of building relationships with animals, not just through superficial knowledge, but by truly understanding their ways of living, procreating, and surviving. They reflect on the reciprocal nature of predator and prey relationships and consider how animals inherently respect the balance of life, something humans can aspire to embody. Through personal anecdotes and spiritual insights, such as the lessons learned from a possum's death on the land or the patience of a spider, Marita and Angell illustrate how even the most overlooked creatures contribute to the tapestry of life. They challenge listeners to question their perceptions of power and strength, urging a deeper respect for all beings, regardless of size or perceived importance. Join Marita One Who Catches Lightning and Angell Deer in this enriching conversation that invites us to honor and learn from the wisdom that animals so generously offer.

In "Challenging New Age Myths: Authentic Shamanism," we explore what true shamanic practices entail beyond the surface of contemporary New Age interpretations. Hosted by Bram from Ayahuasca Alchemy, the podcast features an enlightening conversation with Angell Deer, the caretaker and founder of The Sanctuary, located in Upstate New York. Conversation Highlights: Healing Through Understanding: The interview discusses the transformative power of compassion and understanding in healing. Angell Deer poignantly describes how many individuals are often seen and treated as broken, leading to issues such as addiction and violence. Through a compassionate lens of love and humanity, he emphasizes that healing comes from understanding and embracing all parts of oneself rather than viewing individuals as fundamentally flawed or broken. Introduction to Angel Deer and The Sanctuary: Angel Deer introduces The Sanctuary, a center that teaches shamanic studies. The space supports multiple traditions and protocols and hosts retreats and trips to places like Peru. Angell elaborates on his background, primarily influenced by Andean cosmology, along with including Native American traditions, which have enriched his learning over the past 15 years. The Andean Cosmology: Angell Deer delves into the unique aspects of Andean cosmology, primarily from the coastal traditions of Peru. He clarifies how different regions in Peru, such as Chavin and the coastal areas, contribute diverse shamanic practices characterized by oral traditions, nature-based prayers, and altars. Unlike the mountain-based Queros traditions, many are familiar with, the coastal practices offer a distinct perspective on sacred rituals and spiritual journeys. Plant Medicine Practices: The discussion extends to using plant medicines such as Huachuma. Angell clarifies that, in traditional Andean teachings, plant medicines are not frequently used. Instead, they are reserved for specific ceremonies to ensure proper integration of their powerful effects, similar to infrequent vision quests. He emphasizes the grounded nature of these practices, which involve deep, land-oriented engagements like farming and community-based rituals over routine plant medicine use. Western Influence and Cultural Integrity: A critical topic addressed is the impact of Western influence on Peruvian practices. Angell shares insights on how Western stimuli, like information overload and commercialization, lead to an overemphasis on dramatic experiences with plant medicines like ayahuasca and Huachuma. He advocates for more subtle yet profound interactions with nature and traditional practices often overshadowed by the more "loud" spiritual experiences favored by visiting Westerners. Embodied Practices: To truly embrace and embody shamanic teachings, Angel Deer conveys the importance of patience and deep connection with the natural world. He reminisces about his teacher's foundational lesson about planting and nurturing corn, which symbolizes a sacred bond with nature and the slow, contemplative journey of spiritual learning. This hands-on engagement fosters a genuine understanding and transformation, far from the quick fixes sometimes sought in Western spiritual practices. Integration and Application: For those seeking to learn at The Sanctuary, the challenge of integrating profound teachings within the constraints of modern Western life is recognized. Angel discusses the educational approach of providing foundational shamanic wisdom and practical applications, helping individuals plant and nurture "seeds" of learning that will grow in their everyday lives. This method encourages continuous personal growth and connection, regardless of professional or urban lifestyle. Through this enriching dialogue, the podcast "Challenging New Age Myths: Authentic Shamanism" seeks to illuminate the rich, nuanced, and often misunderstood world of shamanic wisdom. It underlines the timeless relevance of ancient practices and the significance of cultivating a deeper, more authentic connection with ourselves and the natural world around us.

In this episode of "The Wisdom Path with the Jaguar & The Deer," titled "Grounding & Belonging," Angell Deer and Marita One Who Catches Lightning explore the profound concept of grounding and its significance in our lives.  They delve deeply into what grounding means and discuss personal practices, philosophies, and ways of being grounded. Key Topics Covered: - Connection to the Land: Angell shares how being a land caretaker ties him back to the earth, making grounding synonymous with presence and being in the moment. - Cultural and Political Dimensions: They discuss how the fast-paced, western, capitalistic world tends to be ungrounded, and why grounding can be seen as a revolutionary and political act. - Emotional Awareness: Grounding is also about facing and processing our emotions, which often surface when we slow down and turn inward. - Wisdom from Nature: Marita brings in the imagery of birds and how they ground even when they are flying, suggesting that grounding is about knowing who you are in your core being. - Lessons from Animals: They share stories of turkeys and pigeons, often overlooked as wisdom keepers, highlighting their roles in teaching us about grounding and caretaking the land. - Historical and Cultural Stories: Discussions about the cultural implications of being "grounded" and historical narratives about animals and their symbolic meanings. Through this rich conversation, Angell and Marita invite listeners to reframe their understanding of grounding, seeing it as an essential practice for cultivating mindfulness, presence, and deeper connections to the earth and each other.

In the video "Listening to the Moon" from "The Wisdom of the Jaguar & The Deer," Marita One Who Catches Lightning and Angell Deer delve into the profound connection humans can cultivate with the moon.  They share insights on how to sync with the lunar cycles, emphasizing that the moon's influence is not limited to its full phase but extends through its entire cycle. The discussion highlights the Apache moonwalker tradition, which sees the moon as a daily guide.  It explores the significance of the new moon in birth and regeneration, contrasting it with the peak experiences often celebrated in Western spirituality. The speakers also touch upon the interconnectedness of the moon's phases with land and life cycles and the importance of fostering a continuous and deep relationship with the moon.  They conclude by inviting viewers to discover their own moon cycles and listen to the moon's wisdom, integrating it into their daily lives. Key points explored in the video include: - **Holistic Moon Practices**: Emphasizing the importance of engaging with all phases of the moon, not just the full moon, to foster a continual relationship. - **New Moon Significance**: Highlighting the role of the new moon in representing birth, beginnings, and unseen potential, advocating for a balanced approach that values all phases equally. - **Interconnected Life Cycles**: Discussing how the moon's phases influence natural processes and rituals, and its historical role in the evolution of life on Earth. - **Inclusive Traditions and Cycles**: Stressing that moon cycles are experienced by all genders and describing cultural practices that elevate inclusivity and broader participation in lunar traditions. These points underscore a profound and inclusive understanding of the moon's role, encouraging a deep, ongoing relationship with its cycles for personal and ecological harmony.

In this episode, we sink into some important depths of the human experience, honoring life's transformative trials and tribulations along the journey toward wholeness.  Join us as we tenderly traverse the terrain, uncovering invaluable qualities forged amidst adversity and exploring the distinction between mere knowledge and embodied wisdom.  Together, we reflect on the sacredness of mystery and the profound humility that accompanies genuine understanding and healing. Amidst our contemplations, we revere nature as a primary teacher, acknowledging its ancient laws and its vital role in our collective healing journey. This dialogue invites us to welcome life's mysteries and envision a new collective dream rooted in love, curiosity, and gentleness. Let us be guided by the wildness of the heart and the boundless wisdom of the unknown.   Thematic Show Notes Below Connect with Angell: Website: https://www.thesanctuaryheal.com Instagram:   / thesanctuary.angelldeer   Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Web-Mag... Facebook:   / angelldeer1   Online Class: https://go.thesanctuaryheal.com/navig... Connect with WHR: WHR Website - https://www.coyoteicounsel.earth/wild...WHR  Instagram -   / wild.heart.revival   Coyotei Counsel Instagram -   / coyotei.counsel   Email - [email protected]

In this enthralling episode titled "Surrender," hosts Angell Deer and Marita One Who Catches Lightning delve deep into the dynamic concept of surrender, exploring its active essence contrary to common belief of passivity. The dialogue opens with a vibrant touch, setting the stage for a profound discussion that redefines surrender as an immensely alive state, requiring full presence and acute awareness. Marita initiates the conversation by challenging the conventional views of surrender, depicting it not as a defeat but as a powerful engagement with life. She eloquently discusses the transition from self to interdependence, highlighting the importance of being supported by Mother Earth and moving beyond competitive or dominant Western practices. Angell complements this by describing surrender as being fully present and active, rather than passive like a “jellyfish dying on the beach.” Both speakers weave personal insights with spiritual teachings, emphasizing that surrender involves acknowledging the need for help and embracing every aspect of oneself, both the good and the bad. They discuss the somatic and beyond-mind experiences of surrender as moments of true presence, like holding a newborn or witnessing a sunset, where the world fades away, leaving only a profound connection with the moment. The episode also touches on the social and spiritual responsibilities of surrender. It’s depicted as a method of engaging in life actively without running away or losing one's sovereignty. Discussing scenarios from real life to metaphorical and cinematic examples, such as the movie "Don't Look Up," they illustrate how surrender can lead to beautiful moments of community and connection, even in dire circumstances. This discussion not only unpacks the layers of meaning within the word "surrender" but also invites listeners to redefine their approach to personal challenges and life itself. By the end of the episode, surrender is shown not as giving up, but rather as a courageous acceptance of life’s flow, a stepping into mutual co-creation with the universe, and a gateway to awe-inspiring moments of clarity and connection.

In a thoughtful discussion between Angell Deer and Marita, the topic of patience—particularly as a vital skill on the spiritual path—is extensively explored. They open by acknowledging the pressure our modern culture places on speed in almost every aspect of life, from food delivery to education and transportation, highlighting how these expectations alter our perceptions of time and accomplishment. Marita recognizes that our impatience is partly fueled by an existential anxiety tied to our mortality and a deep-seated reluctance in believing that there are forces besides ourselves influencing our lives. This insight segues into discussions about patience as a form of deep relationality and connection—not just with other people, but with the land and broader cosmic rhythms. The conversation delves into how impatience can restrict possibilities, foster disconnect, and create unrealistic expectations that ultimately lead to dissatisfaction and a constant feeling of inadequacy. Angell illustrates this with personal experiences, such as the slow, inevitable growth of a walnut tree, which symbolizes a surrender to natural processes and timelines that cannot be expedited. They also talk about the inherent wisdom of the body and nature, which modern society often overlooks or tries to dominate through hurried schedules, reflecting a broader societal impatience that can also manifest as violence towards the self. The dialogue ends with a call for a more present, contemplative stance toward life. By slowing down, we permit ourselves to co-create with the universe, embracing the vast range of possibilities that patience can offer. This idea is encapsulated in the sentiment that urgent times require us to slow down, suggesting a profound cultural shift that could lead to deeper, more grounded forms of wisdom.