Accidental Gods

Plant spirit teachers: learning from the elder plants with Dr Simon Ruffell

Bridging the world between modern medical science and ancient plant teachings to bring us into contact with plant elders in a grounded and authentic way.

For this time around the dark nights of the winter solstice – at least in the northern hemisphere – we’ve been exploring more of an inner landscape – being reflexive with Nathalie and Della, and before that, exploring the living myths of our land and how we can ground them in our current reality with Angharad Wynne. And this week, Manda Scott heads inward and outward, travelling to Peru with Dr Simon Ruffell, psychiatrist, ayahuasca researcher and student of Shipobo curanderismo.

As you’ll hear in the conversation that follows, Simon manages to bridge between the world of western science and the older world of indigenous spirit with extraordinary integrity, humour and a grounded commitment to the traditions he’s learning that feels wholly authentic. He’s experiencing the depths of ancient teaching and exploring the leading edge of modern science, delving into epigenetics, the microbiome and neuroplasticity.