A beautiful opportunity to gather in community in Bristol, for a talk on the Wisdom of Mental Illness with Jez Hughes.  Followed by an invitation to share poetry, songs, stories, spoken word, or some other creative expression our hearts so desire.

There will be candles, flowers, an old piano, a guitar and mic in a lovely relaxed intimate space. The pub serves delicious pizza and burgers etc if you'd like to eat before we meet. 

Shamanism, Mental Health & the Renewal of the World

Jez Hughes has been giving talks across the U.K on shamanism and the wisdom of mental illness, and has recently released his second brilliant book The Wisdom of Mental Illness - Shamanism, Mental Health & the Renewal of the World.

The talks explore the initiatory role of the shamanic sickness and the parallels this has with what we label mental illness. Jez will explore the social and ecological aspects of mental health and how shamanism can help bring us back into balance with the world. He'll also be speaking about the latest scientific research into altered states and psychedelic medicines and how these can help treat mental distress.

There’ll also be a Q&A session and an opportunity to grab a signed copy of his book.

‘Jez Hughes’ brilliant and comprehensive new book helped me understand many of the observations I made while documenting tribal and indigenous cultures worldwide....' Phil Borges, director of the award winning film CRAZYWISE

Jez Hughes

Jez Hughes is a shamanic healer, author, and the founder of the training center Second Sight Healing. Jez has studied Shamanism for over twenty years and works closely with the Wixárika (Huichol) tribe of Mexico.

After experiencing a fit as a teenager, which propelled him into an altered state of consciousness, Jez embarked on a long healing journey, exploring many different healing and spiritual traditions all across the earth. He experienced on-going convulsive fits, anxiety, psychological breakdowns and minor psychotic episodes on and off for 17 years. It was in discovering shamanism, which finally provided the practical methods that enabled Jez to heal himself. He now understands his experience as a journey through the 'shamanic sickness'.

The Evening

Jez is passionate about this work being relevant to our times, accessible and integrated into our culture. There will be a beautiful balance of lightness and depth, laughter, wisdom and expertise, connection, heart and I wouldn't be surprised if his beloved Leeds United managed to get a mention at some point. 

Please arrive from 7.10 pm for a 7.30 start.

After the talk will be a space for us to share a part of ourselves with each other; through song, story, spoken word or anything else you feel to share. Perhaps something you've created, or perhaps something someone else dreamed into being. It will be a relaxed, friendly, loving space. Please feel free to bring along an instrument. There will be an old piano available, though I've no idea how in tune it is! There will also hopefully be a guitar there for anyone to use, though of course feel free to bring one too. 

7.10 - 7.30 Arrival

7.30-9.30 - Talk & Q&A

9.30 - 9.45 - Book signing and break

9.45 - 10.30 - Poetry, songs, spoken word, story sharing. 

Any questions please feel free to contact Emily Lewin on ejflewin@gmail.com or 07490 282545

If you'd like to share a poem or song etc after the talk, please let me know and I'll write your name down on the list. There is a question on the ticket sale page regarding this, or alternatively you could email me on the above contact details. I'd love this to be a relaxed and open sharing, rather than too structured, however as we have around 45 mins for the sharing, we may not have time for everyone to share something if there are many who'd like to. If this is the case, it will be the first folks added to the list who are offered the opportunity to share first.

Providing there's still space, you can also let me know before the event starts, and I'll add you to the list.

Here's a link to Jez's books:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-wisdom-of-mental-illness/jez-hughes/9781786785299

https://www.waterstones.com/book/heart-of-life-the-shamanic-initiation-and-healing-in-the-modern-world/jez-hughes/9781785350269

Hope to see you there!