ABOUT
Consciousness and altering consciousness in a natural way, is emphasised on an Ecopsychology Africa retreat – wilderness entered in a respectful way aids in altering consciousness, allowing new insights into awareness. When consciousness alters, brain waves change, information is processed differently, new insights about oneself and the issues one is dealing with are gained. Training provided in meditation facilitates and enhances this process. Wilderness is used on the Ecopsychology Africa retreats as a metaphor for an internal journey. The goal is to utilise wilderness as a medium to integrate body, mind and soul in a therapeutic way.
“The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it.”
George Kimble
Down to Earth
Ecopsychology Africa retreats allow participants to ‘root’ themselves and connect to ‘Mother Earth.’ The retreats are about meaningful personal transformation – technology and material comforts are limited and participants have a rustic experience.
The interconnectedness of life becomes apparent – all living organisms are connected – people too are a part of nature, not apart from nature. The word ‘nature’ comes from the Latin word ‘natus,’ which means ‘to be born.’ Some participants may indeed experience a ‘rebirth.’
The words of Dr Ian Player, a prominent South African conservationist, have been particularly inspiring:
“Everything I have achieved in my own life, I owe to the wilderness experience.
I have seen countless other lives moulded and changed by encounters with wilderness; in most cases, only a few days in the wilderness has been enough to change a life of despair to a life of hope.”
Socially, wilderness is a great leveller regardless of one’s status in society. Participants relate to their common humanity. People in the bush, out of their comfort zone, and perhaps feeling quite vulnerable, tend to ‘open up’ more easily to others, and a spontaneous sharing of experiences occurs, be they personal or experiential.
The professional practice of ecopsychology has been a calling for Jeffrey; a calling he combines with a full-time private practice. He has to date facilitated over 70 wilderness retreats, most of them of 7 days duration or longer. He facilitates a limited number of retreats per annum, each retreat being a privileged experience both for him and fellow participants.
What people are saying about Ecopsychology Africa retreats
This trip to the Okavango and Khwai Retreat with Ecopsychology Africa was nothing short of transformative.
Our small group was exposed to the wonders of the Botswana’s wilderness, allowing us the opportunity to blend deep ecopsychology practices with the rhythm of nature.
After landing in Maun we were picked up, and the adventure began. We arrived at the Mokoro Park, and were transferred to our Morkoros and set off to the Island that was going to be our home for the next three days. The beginning of an adventure allows me to slow down, reflect, and reconnect – not just with myself, but with the land, the wildlife, and the group.
From the Island we went on to visit Moremi before going on to our next Campsite in Khwai, where the adventure geared up to another level, under the guidance of Jeffrey and Lucky we were literally immersed, and became part of Life in the Park. The collective knowledge of the group made it feel like I was on a National Geographic expedition, every sighting/experience we had was enriched by this energy.
This retreat is more than travel; it is a journey into Botswana’s wild heart, together with the guidance of Ecopsychology Africa, has given me a "Bucket List" experience I will carry forward for the rest of my life.”
My ten incredible days in the Okavango Delta! Jeff of Ecopsychology Africa coordinates a thrilling and authentic 'Out of Africa' experience with only the canvas of the tent between you and this extraordinary environment.
This, partnered with the warm support, and hospitality of "Gift of the Kalahari". Nothing was too much trouble. Lucky, one of our guides, is a magical combination of a lifetime of intuitive bush knowledge and Certified Guide experience.
We witnessed thrilling wildlife spectacles and listened to riveting personal anecdotes around the fire in the evening. To quote Lucky, "I always listen to the guy in my head to tell me where the animals are" When I don't listen, I don't find animals."
Dear Jeffrey,
My experience in the Okavango was soul soothing and healing. To witness nature at less than one meter above water level, looking through the grasses and sedges, soaking in the wildness, fresh air and nature at its absolute best, was truly a gift.
The guides were caring and highly competent, making us feel completely at ease. The joy of having food prepared for us and tents put up, with everything we need, allowed us to relax and simply enjoy every moment.
The hike on land with someone as experienced as Great made me feel completely safe. Lucky's professional handling of any situation, his knowledge of the vegetation (Knobbly Combretum, Cats claw, Apple leaf and so much more), his ability to read the tracks in the soil and find us predators, and his stories, make me feel like I will have to plan another trip there soon!
Hi Jeffrey
I want to give you another heartfelt thanks for a relaxing AND stimulating week. I feel peaceful and alive at the same time.
Your presence, the location and your choice of Lucky contributed to a memorable week. Lucky's ability to find a kill or a leopard lying low in the bushes was uncanny.
This is my 5th visit to the Okavango and the most enjoyable.
Dear Jeffrey, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for guiding us through the mesmerizing landscapes of Namibia during our 13-day safari. Your deep empathy and profound connection with nature made this journey an unforgettable experience for me. Enduring the harsh conditions while traveling in the jeep for up to 8 hours a day across 3000 kilometres allowed me to witness the raw beauty of Sossusvlei, Etosha and Epupa. Your insights into the interconnectedness of nature were enlightening, revealing the delicate balance that sustains life in this extraordinary environment. Moreover, your dedication to educating us about the dramatic ‘genocide’ occurring in many species especially for rhino horns and elephant tusks was eye-opening. Your passion for conservation sparked a sense of responsibility within us, fostering a greater appreciation for the incredible wildlife we encountered. Celebrating my wife's birthday amidst the stunning landscapes added a special touch to the journey, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Your efforts to immerse us in the Himba people's culture provided a rich cultural experience, enhancing the depth of our safari. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, passion, and genuine care for the environment. Your guidance went beyond the typical tourist experience, leaving me with a profound understanding of the delicate ecosystems and the urgent need for conservation. With gratitude, Richard
I'd like to share with you a very special opportunity to spend a week with local guides deeply knowledgeable about Venda culture and ecology, and facilitated sensitively and safely by eco psychologist Jeffrey Rink of Eco psychology Africa.
I had the privilege of participating in this pilgrimage a year ago, where we visited the otherwise impossible to reach Thate Vondo Sacred forest - only accessible with permission from Chief Netshivedze, in whose royal kraal one spends the night.
We stayed first at the royal kraal of the Venda leader, Chief Tshivase, and from there moved between various homesteads and villages, unforgettable potholes of whirlpools along rivers, sacred Lake Fundudzi, meeting sangomas and farmers along the way, and experiencing powerful traditional Venda dance and music.
The journey is a glimpse into South African culture and nature that is familiar to few outsiders, yet deeply rich and strong. It also supports local guides, musicians, artists, families and cooks who have been cast aside by failed local government tourism initiatives.
I cannot recommend it enough.
A trip into the bush with Jeffrey Rink is a journey like no other: a profound wilderness experience that’s both thrilling adventure (encounters with lions, buffalo, elephants, etc.) as well as a uniquely reflective inner journey. This combination is stimulating and deeply healing. Jeffrey picks largely unknown game reserves, guiding small groups of seven or eight people who benefit enormously from his exceptional bush knowledge and psychological insights. A typical day begins at dawn walking out into the bush with a local guide to discover, close-up, not only the animals and bird life but also the age-old indigenous medicinal uses of plants and trees. To meditate under a jackal berry tree with, above, the distinctive cry a fish eagle is matchless. At dusk on a game drive you might see a leopard in at the kill. At night around the camp fire there are shared stories and constant laughter. I have now done eight of Jeffrey’s endlessly stimulating “bush trails” and always return refreshed - and wanting to venture out again for another unique “walk on the wild side.
It is perhaps the closest we have to the famous Camino de Santiago, the ever more popular pilgrimage in north-west Spain. Here the Venda Sacred walk is shorter, stranger and without any Western religious significance. It does, though, offer a powerful spiritual adventure. This week long quest plunges those who take part, into cultural mysteries, spectacular scenery, warm village welcomes and the wonder of encountering a way of life about which most of us know very little: a unique, thrilling, otherworldly experience.
The Venda Sacred Walk in the north of Limpopo Province, not far from the Zimbabwe border, involved climbing steep mountains, traversing dense forests, exploring – and showing respect for - sacred natural sites, sleeping at night in the huts of remote villages on cow-dung floors and eating traditional Venda food. Our only bathing was a couple of swift dips in icy rivers. One night some of us slept out by the fire, with a star-spangled sky and drumming from a distant village: a parallel universe of extraordinary spiritual beliefs and incredibly generous rural hospitality. It was breath-taking: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
These ventures are led by Jeffrey Rink, a clinical psychologist from Hout Bay, with a deep interest in traditional cultures and wilderness experiences. The founder of Ecopsychology Africa, several times a year he takes small groups either walking in reserves on the western edge of the Kruger, or more recently deep into rural Venda. Over the years he has forged a strong bond of mutual respect with local communities. The result is that his groups are embraced as honoured guests and trusted to be present at unique rituals. Witnessing women perform the Domba, the sinuous rite-of-passage python dance, at night by fire-light with a miasma of dust rising from the kraal, or hearing the haunting reed flutes of the Tshikona, are extraordinary, never to be forgotten privileges.
These are not, as Jeffrey says, “sanitised experiences.” In contrast, the Camino de Santiago, which began in the Middle Ages, attracts up to 250,000 adherents a year, many of them tourists rather than pilgrims. The most famous route from France is now almost entirely on tarmac roads, with the sound of traffic ever present. Hiking in the Soutspansberg mountains on rough paths, on the other hand, the only sounds are birds and the lowing of cattle, the soft tinkle of their bells - or the shrill voices of children as you approach your village for the night. The loudest noises of the entire excursion were waking to cheerful laughter as our guides joked with village women preparing breakfast over pots. This is the tenth trip that I have done with Jeffrey, most of the others having been in provincial game reserves on the edge of the Kruger, walking with an armed guide. Jeffrey is enormously knowledgeable about big (and little) game, birds and bush lore. He always uses local people. On this trip our main guide was the always unruffled, extremely wise Nelson Mphaha, winner of the Lileza award for the top South African cultural guide. He was assisted by Thamba Masindi, a human encyclopaedia of bird and forest life. It was through their efforts that Rinks concept of a Sacred Venda Walk became a practical reality. Also with us was young Rolivhuwa Manduna, a tourism graduate, presently unemployed, but who has voluntarily organised local youths to clean up the ever-present plastic bags. Roli asked Jeffrey if he could come along as a learning experience and he listened intently to the tales of Venda history and cultural lore, or how to identify bird calls, trees and plants as imparted by Nelson and Thamba. One day, on a perilous rock-strewn path next to a vertiginous drop, Roli watchfully guided my every step for two hours.
We started in the larger village of Mukumbani near to the homestead of King Kennedy Tshivase, where the surrounding stone walls were erected in the mid-eighteenth century. The first day’s hike, in pouring rain, was atmospherically misty. Thereafter it was warm during the day and cold at night. We entered the sacred Thathe Vondo rain forest where the Venda royal family are buried in secret rituals. It is forbidden to stray from the path that cuts through this dense rain forest, guarded according to legend by a white lion. Here the silence was only broken by the cries of Samango monkeys and the calls of purple crested turacos. Another day we skirted the sacred lake Fundudzi, rich in Venda folklore and myths. By the water were fresh tracks in the sand of crocodiles - but which, according to the local’s, touch neither humans nor cattle- dogs however are at risk! The lake is said to be protected by a white python which lives underwater. The silence was broken by the piercing cry of a fish eagle. This was the third “Venda sacred walk” that Jeffrey Rink has conducted. He has visited the Venda region for about 20 years but waited till he discovered appropriately isolated and largely unexplored areas as well as the right guides (Nelson and Thamba) before creating this unique route. It is a pilgrimage in the best sense: both a physical challenge and deep cultural encounter. This requires participants to be adventurous, adaptable and open minded. We walked with back-packs, our bags transported ahead by bakkie. On the way Jeffrey conducted several meditations. His basic request for all his trails is: “spontaneity, flexibility and generosity of spirit.” This ethos, with only seven or eight in each group, seems to attract like-minded souls, fostering a close bond of comradeship, with the constant laughter that accompanies shared exertions, unexpected dramas and intrepid exploits.
On a previous trip to Mukumbani Jeffrey was invited late one summer evening to a distant village to participate in a traditional dance. In the twilight our local driver took us over the mountain on a treacherous, potholed red clay road. After the amazing dance event had finished in the early hours Rendani drove back some of the way along a tarred road. Why are we taking the long way back, I asked, instead of taking the mountain route? The answer has stayed with me ever since as a wonderful metaphor for the potential pot-holes in life. “It’s very late now,” replied Rendani, “So no time for short-cuts!” Traditional Venda culture is rich, complex, often secretive. Frequently those hilltop villages seemed like a parallel universe to the throb of Johannesburg, from where we had driven. But it is also a world in transition. One evening the wife of the headman was organising local women cooking food, scrubbing pots, and treating men deferentially in the customary Venda manner. The next day, we discovered, she was due to return to her job as a senior police officer. It is important as a privileged South African to recognise such bizarre tensions and how many citizens have to navigate complicated lives. Perhaps the worst failing of colonialism is that the colonists thought that they had everything to teach the colonised and nothing to learn. This remains a tragic mistake. It was a delight to be welcomed with such generosity and natural grace. The Venda Sacred Walk is a reminder that we, who think that we have so much, still have so much to learn.
The Venda Sacred Walk in the north of Limpopo Province, not far from the Zimbabwe border, involved climbing steep mountains, traversing dense forests, exploring – and showing respect for - sacred natural sites, sleeping at night in the huts of remote villages on cow-dung floors and eating traditional Venda food. Our only bathing was a couple of swift dips in icy rivers. One night some of us slept out by the fire, with a star-spangled sky and drumming from a distant village: a parallel universe of extraordinary spiritual beliefs and incredibly generous rural hospitality. It was breath-taking: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
These ventures are led by Jeffrey Rink, a clinical psychologist from Hout Bay, with a deep interest in traditional cultures and wilderness experiences. The founder of Ecopsychology Africa, several times a year he takes small groups either walking in reserves on the western edge of the Kruger, or more recently deep into rural Venda. Over the years he has forged a strong bond of mutual respect with local communities. The result is that his groups are embraced as honoured guests and trusted to be present at unique rituals. Witnessing women perform the Domba, the sinuous rite-of-passage python dance, at night by fire-light with a miasma of dust rising from the kraal, or hearing the haunting reed flutes of the Tshikona, are extraordinary, never to be forgotten privileges.
These are not, as Jeffrey says, “sanitised experiences.” In contrast, the Camino de Santiago, which began in the Middle Ages, attracts up to 250,000 adherents a year, many of them tourists rather than pilgrims. The most famous route from France is now almost entirely on tarmac roads, with the sound of traffic ever present. Hiking in the Soutspansberg mountains on rough paths, on the other hand, the only sounds are birds and the lowing of cattle, the soft tinkle of their bells - or the shrill voices of children as you approach your village for the night. The loudest noises of the entire excursion were waking to cheerful laughter as our guides joked with village women preparing breakfast over pots. This is the tenth trip that I have done with Jeffrey, most of the others having been in provincial game reserves on the edge of the Kruger, walking with an armed guide. Jeffrey is enormously knowledgeable about big (and little) game, birds and bush lore. He always uses local people. On this trip our main guide was the always unruffled, extremely wise Nelson Mphaha, winner of the Lileza award for the top South African cultural guide. He was assisted by Thamba Masindi, a human encyclopaedia of bird and forest life. It was through their efforts that Rinks concept of a Sacred Venda Walk became a practical reality. Also with us was young Rolivhuwa Manduna, a tourism graduate, presently unemployed, but who has voluntarily organised local youths to clean up the ever-present plastic bags. Roli asked Jeffrey if he could come along as a learning experience and he listened intently to the tales of Venda history and cultural lore, or how to identify bird calls, trees and plants as imparted by Nelson and Thamba. One day, on a perilous rock-strewn path next to a vertiginous drop, Roli watchfully guided my every step for two hours.
We started in the larger village of Mukumbani near to the homestead of King Kennedy Tshivase, where the surrounding stone walls were erected in the mid-eighteenth century. The first day’s hike, in pouring rain, was atmospherically misty. Thereafter it was warm during the day and cold at night. We entered the sacred Thathe Vondo rain forest where the Venda royal family are buried in secret rituals. It is forbidden to stray from the path that cuts through this dense rain forest, guarded according to legend by a white lion. Here the silence was only broken by the cries of Samango monkeys and the calls of purple crested turacos. Another day we skirted the sacred lake Fundudzi, rich in Venda folklore and myths. By the water were fresh tracks in the sand of crocodiles - but which, according to the local’s, touch neither humans nor cattle- dogs however are at risk! The lake is said to be protected by a white python which lives underwater. The silence was broken by the piercing cry of a fish eagle. This was the third “Venda sacred walk” that Jeffrey Rink has conducted. He has visited the Venda region for about 20 years but waited till he discovered appropriately isolated and largely unexplored areas as well as the right guides (Nelson and Thamba) before creating this unique route. It is a pilgrimage in the best sense: both a physical challenge and deep cultural encounter. This requires participants to be adventurous, adaptable and open minded. We walked with back-packs, our bags transported ahead by bakkie. On the way Jeffrey conducted several meditations. His basic request for all his trails is: “spontaneity, flexibility and generosity of spirit.” This ethos, with only seven or eight in each group, seems to attract like-minded souls, fostering a close bond of comradeship, with the constant laughter that accompanies shared exertions, unexpected dramas and intrepid exploits.
On a previous trip to Mukumbani Jeffrey was invited late one summer evening to a distant village to participate in a traditional dance. In the twilight our local driver took us over the mountain on a treacherous, potholed red clay road. After the amazing dance event had finished in the early hours Rendani drove back some of the way along a tarred road. Why are we taking the long way back, I asked, instead of taking the mountain route? The answer has stayed with me ever since as a wonderful metaphor for the potential pot-holes in life. “It’s very late now,” replied Rendani, “So no time for short-cuts!” Traditional Venda culture is rich, complex, often secretive. Frequently those hilltop villages seemed like a parallel universe to the throb of Johannesburg, from where we had driven. But it is also a world in transition. One evening the wife of the headman was organising local women cooking food, scrubbing pots, and treating men deferentially in the customary Venda manner. The next day, we discovered, she was due to return to her job as a senior police officer. It is important as a privileged South African to recognise such bizarre tensions and how many citizens have to navigate complicated lives. Perhaps the worst failing of colonialism is that the colonists thought that they had everything to teach the colonised and nothing to learn. This remains a tragic mistake. It was a delight to be welcomed with such generosity and natural grace. The Venda Sacred Walk is a reminder that we, who think that we have so much, still have so much to learn.
The Sacred Venda Walk Retreat can definitely be described as a "bucket list" item. While I was walking over mountains and crossing rivers I came to the conclusion that actually all humans of the world should be exposed to this kind of experience at least once in their lives for the following reasons -
This experience is an immersion in the Venda culture - you sleep, eat, hear, speak, see Venda culture, myths and the humble way of living in an absolutely unsanitised, natural and honest manner.
The daily interaction with nature makes a person very aware of the lasting impact humans have on nature in regard to negative elements such as pollution, litter, forestry for economic gain as well as the dooming signs of the loss of traditional heritage in favour of all that is modern.
Positive signs are however also visible in the form of organic farming and the very positive impact these kinds of retreats have on the community socially, economically and historically. One leader of a dance group of more than 30 females on our second evening thanked the team for honouring their humanity by viewing their tradition in awe and splendour.
Random acts of kindness by unplanned interactions with strangers on the way gives one again hope for a better future as one lady mentioned after she blessed the whole team with avocados out of her garden - we are all the same inside and that we should be kind to one another.
The never-ending sharing of information and kindness by the very skilled guides creates a sense of camaraderie and rekindles a person's love for nature.
The experience of visiting a sacred spring, forest and lake together with meditations guided by the absolute master, Jeffery Rink, as the organizer and facilitator makes this an experience to never forget and one of deep spiritual meaning.
Back in September of 2021 I had the privilege of taking a two- week trip to Tanzania, Africa to witness mainly the migration of the Wildebeest in the Serengeti Game Reserve in addition to exploring the Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha with EcoPsychology Africa led by Jeffrey Rink along with a driver guide. As an eco-psychologist, Jeffrey brought his unique perspective to the tour where along with witnessing animals and birds in their natural habitats, we also learned about for example the complex society of the elephants, the unique relationship between zebras and their young, the physiology of giraffes and their methods of warding off their enemies, viewing and understanding the behaviours of the many varieties of birds and how the 2 largest African carnivores, lions and hyenas interact in the presence of carcasses to name a few! Following the 2-week tour, one other participant and myself continued with Jeffrey on an extended trip to ancient Lake Duluti and Mt. Kilimanjaro where we hiked to the waterfalls there and had an opportunity to see coffee beans made into an excellent brew of coffee! All in all the trip was magical and the most magnificent experience of a lifetime! I highly recommend this tour for people who are looking for an adventure beyond the typical, an opportunity of a lifetime to appreciate and experience an in-depth journey into the heart of Africa to witness the wild animals and birds of Tanzania in their natural environments.
I was drawn to the Sacred Venda Trail when I realized it would be a combination of walking through beautiful countryside, getting to stay in villages with local people, and experiencing traditional dance and music. The trail exceeded my expectations. The Venda countryside is amazingly beautiful, but it was meeting the people and interacting with them, that was special. Without exception they were kind and hospitable, and generous in every way, sharing their homes, their food, their music, and their traditions. Our guides were very professional, knowledgeable, and warm. They made us feel welcome. Their translating skills made it possible to interact with the people in the villages in a most meaningful way. Altogether this was a unique experience. The challenges provided an edge of excitement. I left Venda with a sense of great sadness that something very special had ended, but with a wealth of memories, and feeling invigorated.
I said yes to the walk without knowing anyone or how I would cope physically (I visualised being airlifted out with heat exhaustion etc). But with all the political turmoil going on, I needed some reassuring connection to Africa. So, I trusted (while simultaneously doing some serious over-thinking ) and that in itself was life-changing.
Every day was full but so well organised that we simply flowed with it. We walked over rolling hills dotted with homesteads, and each evening we were welcomed very warmly by our new hosts who had prepared our red earth rondavels and an abundance of wholesome home-grown food. And they enveloped us with their dances and mind-altering music. The Venda are renowned for their strong culture and maybe that is why the rural people here emanate self-respect and wellbeing.
Our route took us to places of both spiritual and natural beauty and as the days passed, we bonded with each other and with our three guides who shared their knowledge of the area and their traditions generously. They were more than kind, and everywhere we went we felt old perceptions on both sides crumbling and laughter taking over. I think that the friendship we experienced is what will stay with me forever and give me courage as we move forward into an uncertain future. Community tourism seems a very fun way to go.
The gentle rain and mist on our first day was ethereal and mystical, the land magnificent, untouched and pristine. I connected strongly with the earth. It was a time for introspection, connection with myself and nature. A time to get back to a life of simplicity.
The hospitality and warmth shown by the villagers was huge, although sometimes overwhelming and I grappled with my need for space, silence and rest after a day of walking. The generosity of the villagers in welcoming us was remarkable. I was touched by their humility and kindness, moved by their humanity. Loved their music and dance.
I found myself in a different head space where I didn’t feel the need to engage deeply with others. I felt absorbed in my own process. It gave me an opportunity to feel self-sufficient and self-contained. It was also a time to re-evaluate my sense of independence, with a realisation that I can soften my edges and I don’t always have to do it alone. I loved being a witness to the unfolding of everyone’s process and blossoming, personal and brave challenges, open heartedness, sharing, camaraderie, an exquisite mother/son relationship, and so much more.
Eating with the villagers, sleeping on the ground, bucket bathing, long-dropping, letting go of the fussiness and complexity of city life made for a wholesome enriching experience. Every bite of the home grown avocado on bread was savoured with delight and appreciation. I became more mindful and I realised that I complicate my life with variety and choices.
It was a privilege to be on foot off the beaten track visiting sacred sites. A highlight was the time spent at the Tshatshingo potholes, a somewhat frightening marvel of nature. Just a short climb and an opportunity for an adventure to explore beyond what was visible presented itself. Artemis in her element! Time constraints didn’t allow full freedom to explore, but the knowing remains that this spot will always be there, waiting for us to revisit. Privileged, indeed.
It’s been a valuable exercise for me to apply my mind once again to my experience in Venda, and to feel gratitude and enriched.
Initially I felt horrified at the tourist aspect of it but somehow, perhaps because we were the first group, or because the Venda folk were so kind and generous, it didn’t feel awful. In fact, it felt loving and embracing and I think the fact that we walked the route had something to do with that.
I had a very profound experience at the potholes, clearing old baggage and emerged from the icy water of the top pool feeling greatly unburdened. The feeling has remained all this time.
I feel also very blessed by the members of the group who supported one another and added to the deep tapestry of the process that unfolded. Jeff’s unobtrusive presence and facilitation of each of our personal journeys was wonderful. It seems like each person, brought together so serendipitously, brought a gift that each one of us needed. Our resident shaman added another wonderful element and as the group will remember, nature came to meet us time and again (think snake eagle, snake in mouth, at the pot holes, finding of the bones, fish eagles and pythons at the scared lake Fundudzi and so much more)
It’s hard to describe how profoundly moving it was to walk through the pristine wildness of the lake, to sleep in villages on hilltops, simple yet completely satisfying to all the senses. To be free for some days from consumerism and technology was liberating.
I was held by people I found I could trust, and as my feet set up a rhythm and moved forward, my spinning head could rest. I could touch into that deep heart connection with others, much stronger and more alive than all the divisive stuff. The vulnerability and positivity and laughter and sheer beauty of other people. The Nature and the simplicity of lifestyle rooted me again.
Afterwards that feeling nourished a more secure foundation that has stayed, and also a confidence in myself that I had just upped and done it, regardless of the space I was in.
My wife and I came to our trek seeking little more than a fun and interesting excursion through beautiful scenery, and an introduction to a land and people with which we had no prior knowledge.
What we received was a transformative experience that profoundly impacted us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, while delivering a deeper insight into the rich Venda culture, the delicate and endangered ecological systems of South Africa, and even our own psychological selves.
We felt truly privileged to be so warmly welcomed by the Venda people as honoured guests and given open access to the details of their intricate and beautiful traditions. No question went unanswered. Every member of the Venda – from our guides and hosts to elders, traditional healers and leaders – put forth every effort to make us feel at home among friends.
The ethereal landscapes awed us and further emphasized our dire need to understand and protect our environment at home and abroad. The interconnected relationship of the Venda culture with their land is a blessing to resist the encroachment of invasive species and practices that threaten both.
We can only hope the gifts and words we offer a meagre thank you to the Venda in exchange for the impactful memories they provided us which will last a lifetime.
The Sacred Venda walk has had a profound impact on me. It arrived at a point where I needed a serious reset in my life, where I have had many patterns and constructs that were no longer serving me. The contrast that was created by the introspective nature of the walk to the real life was undeniable and shocking to me upon return. It could clearly see what was working for me and what had to be readjusted.
The environment on the walk was slow, connected and at peace. Restorative, and slowly gently revealing. Until today I have managed the best out of all my previous attempts to remain in that mindset, to keep that calm and collected space.
I cannot thank you enough for the amazing opportunity you gave me to walk the sacred lands of Venda and to experience the magical powerful spiritual local music. My life has taken on a new meaning because of this very uniquely powerful week.
I truly appreciated the opportunity—rare and valuable–to be a guest in these villages, and to envelop all the senses in the environment surrounding them. There is no better way to illustrate the need for serious attention to conservation in areas like these, than by actually seeing lands that are already damaged by roads and monoculture…but then to realize the threat of mining that is quite literally over the shoulders of the people (and all other living things) in these villages and valleys is a startling, unsettling, but necessary wake-up call. This chance to experience the land is one that I would dearly love to give my students, because it is lasting and important in ways that cannot be captured in books and lectures. I hope that I can gather a few to join another expedition in the future!
On another note, the people themselves were unforgettable, as was the food, the music, and the dancing. If I had to choose one event that was most significant and meaningful to me, it was the Tshikona dance. That was such an incredibly immersive experience that was made even MORE memorable because we knew that it was the first time you had visited that village, too—wow, what an AMAZINGLY humbling experience to see that in person, to be invited guests!! I will never forget the chief of that village during the dance, his passion and energy….and the sound and the swirling and the dancing….without a doubt, one of the very, very fortunate times I was in the right place to experience something so beautiful…..I came away with what I expected: a greater appreciation for the culture of the people of Venda, a renewed sense of connection to land, and an even deeper commitment to sharing this kind of knowledge with my own students. I’ll be telling them everything, and I will be in touch in the near future to see what we might be able to plan for them!
Talk to you soon and THANK YOU!!! What the world needs is more people like YOU who care so deeply about people and places like these, where so often voices can go unheard in the overwhelming dissonance and noise of development. May more people learn how to LISTEN, before these voices are lost.
I first want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your commitment to the future of Venda and its people, your willingness to share the beauty of Venda with others, your personal sacrifice in terms of resources and time, the way you put the itinerary of the walk together, is a blessing to all of Venda and all the participants of the walk. I will forever remember this walk as an ongoing inward journey in surroundings that are sacred, beautiful, awe inspiring and peaceful. The inherent humbleness, generosity of spirit and heart, the joy, the music, the peace of the Venda people leave me speechless and make me uncomfortable if I look at the life I lead. What an example I’ve been shown to follow!!! It was a deeply moving, humbling soul journey to me that will impact choices I make in future.
Wow! What an incredible week it has been. What a journey we have all been on! So totally awesome.
I am so grateful for the privileged opportunity. It really feels like it has been a powerful rite of passage. I sense that Venda has penetrated deeply into my DNA as I ingest and digest her rich nutrients and into my system …
I am simply overwhelmed with the people of Venda, their warmth and generosity is overwhelming. They are such warm loving people. Walking through their land and ingesting their simple food and their incredible hospitality has been wonderful nutrition for my body and my soul.
Thamba and Nelson are such incredible men. I sense that you have had such a powerful impact on their development and have been an important mentor to them both.
You are doing such important work in such a selfless way. I honour you and salute you for your commitment to your vision that is so vital for the future of this beautiful, sacred land. I really hope that our president gets to walk the sacred path with you soon!
I can’t ever thank you enough for having listened to me over the years when I sat in the chair opposite to you in your therapy room in Hout Bay. I realise that as you listened to me, I started understanding what I was thinking, saying and experiencing and I was finally sorting out the files in my memory filing cabinet.
The second thing I must thank you for is introducing me to the concept and practice of ‘trance’. I was able to connect with myself and life around me long before ‘mindfulness’ hit the media. I have mentioned this to you before but I can’t mention it enough times as it definitely helped me emerge from a long and painful depression.
In addition to the wonderful therapy sessions with you were the so special retreats. Starting with your very first in 1998, then in 2000, 2003, 2018 and again this year, 2023. Walking in nature, connecting with it, feeling part of the world, feeling part of all around me. Not disconnected and alone. Just amazing.
Going with you on this pilgrimage has been such a deep, indescribable experience. You and the recent Venda experience are in my conscious mind in such a huge way. Thank you Jeff. Thank you for the years of building relationships, giving of yourself to the Venda people and journey, for taking the time to 'wait' upon the shared wisdoms you and the people there have to share. This was such a huge Once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I am deeply thankful to you for your patience as things unfolded for me..... I find myself without sufficient or efficient words to describe my gratitude, my awe, my sense of immeasurable spiritual worth at the blessing of accompanying you, of being with you on this rich pilgrimage. In many ways, I have found myself more silent - and possibly even unexpectantly 'hesitant' to casually just share about my experience, for it was too deep, and beyond human understanding.... So I have answered questions as people have asked them, but have been aware of how words can deplete the depth and wealth of such an amazingly deep and untainted, pure experience, where no one tried to 'make an impression', but were just allowing us to share in their lives, ways of thinking, culture, essence. You have crept into the hearts of the people of Venda. And the wonderful way that you Nelson and Thinashaka were a team for us and joining us to the people, was simply 'Gift'..... A huge huge huge Thank you Jeff. I remain almost speechless, and deeply growingly daily Thankful! Thankful to Hashem, to the One God, to Him who draws people beyond politics, history, perceptions, to just 'be'. Be blessed and Held, and Anointed........ Thank you is not sufficient, but the words I employ to express some of what is in my heart for you.