(This is the introductory statement I wrote for the series of articles posted in this category, most of which originally appeared in the American Free Journal Weekly/Desert Valley Star Weekly between July 2009-September 2010)
Hi I am Kenny Berman. I am a researcher and teacher of the methodological applications of sacred plants, otherwise known as entheobotanicals. The word “entheo” is a Greek word which is defined as; “containing and/ or invoking the sacred within”. An entheogen is any substance that has been applied for its sacred properties or to invoke a sacred experience. Hence- entheobotanicals are any botanical life form that has also been employed for theses purposes. Aside from the higher plant forms botanical life includes also fungus, mosses and lichens.
I have spent over three years combined on entheographic journeys in Mexico, Central and South America. This time and experience has inspired me to expand my knowledge on many other sacred plants employed by various cultures around the world. My passion has also driven me to share my experiences and knowledge with anyone that is interested. I have done this in the past with workshops, classes and lectures. It is beautiful to have the opportunity to share my knowledge with the local communities through the American Free Journal. I think that there are more open minded people living in the desert now that would be more accepting of this type of information and therefore should very well benefit from it.
Unfortunately because of a general lack of viable information many of the sacred botanicals have been given a bad “rap”. There will always be misguiding articles and propaganda. My idea is to present general factual information on one sacred plant per month with a minimal personal opinionated commentary. My intention is to educate people about entheobotanicals that have been utilized for their sacred qualities by various cultures. Part of my passion has also been to share information that is rapidly disappearing. This is because the natural habitats of these plants are being destroyed for profit or the cultures themselves are being displaced and forced into societal assimilation. It is a crucial time to document the ritual use of entheobotanicals before the information is gone forever. Maybe through my writing other people may find inspiration to get involved in “someway”. If nothing else hopefully it will just expand one’s mind to be informed about mind expanding botanicals.