By Troy Valencia

One of the most valuable insights I’ve gained from working with ibgoa is the awareness to observe the seasonal flow in my life, just as I do the seasonal flow of nature. This rhythmic pulse of the natural world influences us on physical and emotional levels, while also impacting the greater collective—everything from global climate patterns to financial markets and beyond.

Yet, in today’s society, many of us are disconnected from nature, a separation that has far-reaching effects on our physical, emotional, and psychological well-being (Ober Clinton et al., 2014). This disconnection disrupts the natural rhythms that should guide our lives. Iboga, the sacred African plant, helps restore this bond by serving as a guide to realign us with nature’s inherent wisdom. As Carl Jung wrote, “nature is not matter only; she is also spirit,” and the connection to this duality is essential for the nourishment of the soul (Jung & Sabini, 2005).

Recognizing the Cycles in Life and Nature

In life, there are times of creation when new opportunities and ventures manifest naturally. There are also times of abundance and bloom, and then times of harvest, followed by periods of stillness, when new beginnings feel far away. These natural rhythms mirror the flow of the seasons—just as day turns to night, so too do we experience cycles of growth, rest, and renewal.

At Root & Wisdom, we find ourselves in a time of Spring—revitalized and ready for the new. Iboga has taught us to embrace the seasons of life, just as we would the changing seasons of nature. This flow reminds us of our connection to the world around us and helps us recognize that just as nature has its cycles, so do we.

This cycle-based approach resonates with Jung’s view of life and nature as a “nourishing soil of the soul” (Jung & Sabini, 2005). When we embrace the instinctive and natural aspects of our psyche, we allow our conscious mind to stay rooted in this spiritual essence, ensuring balance between our instincts and intellect. 

The Role of iboga in realigning with nature

Through my personal initiation with Iboga in Gabon, I experienced the raw, instinctual energy of nature firsthand. This initiation opened a profound awareness of how deeply interconnected our lives are with the rhythms of the Earth. It was not just a spiritual transformation but also a return to the primal knowledge that lives within all of us – the same knowledge that Indigenous communities have honored for centuries. 

In moments of vision and transcendence, I found myself rooted in the rhythms of nature, even as my consciousness expanded into new realms. This duality – of being simultaneously grounded and elevated – allowed me to experience nature’s flow as both an internal and external process.

Flowing with the natural world at root & wisdom