Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus Garcia.
Hi Jesus, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My work for the community started at a young age, living in a household of gardeners, farmers, healers, and community caregivers known as Family. My grandmother was a big inspiration since she knew how to connect with plants, especially roses and trees. My grandfather was a traditional farmer and he knew the seasons, elements and minerals by heart. During my upbringing, there was much loss, death, and heartbreak. . My mother, sisters and I became caregivers to assist my grandparents through a slow process of ascension. After they left this world, we went back to the Mexican practices that kept us rooted, loved, and protected. Our tradition of healing through word, prayer, herbalism, and spirit.
I noticed a gift blooming within me during these times; as if there was a glow that only a few felt during times of need. I went through the rivers of becoming a nutritionist, herbalist, reverend & minister, shaman, life & spiritual guide. I became a healing educator into an early childhood teacher, facilitating all these gifts as a master gardener in the public and private school districts.
The children saw this within me, as we learned from nature together. There was a sense of peaceful impact in the lives of children, during this period of the world with much uncertainty. It became clear to me, a year before 2020 that the kids really need the nurturing gift of the garden and all its healing abilities. I went back to my childhood roots, and replicated a garden design that was unknown to me and was created by my grandparents through memory. A rose garden to uplift the heart, a food forest to always find abundance, and a herb farm to cultivate our traditional herbal medicines. A reminder that the true gift is the garden.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The challenge of being a school teacher is and will always be a beautiful burden. The expectations of the parents when the child simply needs a friend not a forced learning academic goal. The pressure of doing more for little pay while we as teachers become more than the parent. The heartbeat of the child as they move to greater goals with the seeds you’ve given them for their own garden. It hasn’t been a smooth road, as communities lose the tradition of ancient and folk Mexican healing; it’s my light to shine the importance of this root medicine for true community healing. We must remember, it all starts with the most valuable seeds, we know as children.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is endless and abundantly so. I am a community educator, nutrition formula creator, garden designer, herbal farmer, shaman and reverend, community caregiver- free mobile apothecary and above all, I am a school teacher specializing in early childhood education.
I utilize all of my knowledge, heart and healing to bring this education to low-cost living programs and public schools. I am known for many roles, yet the most gratitude I find in a sense of pride is the role of “Teacher, Mr.Jesus”. I facilitate and create public awareness through school gardens that I design through the emotions of community, with traditional plant-powered education.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for anyone wanting to connect deeply through healing, plants and community. We as community caregivers need healing too, so find your favorite spot in the garden, sit with a plant and ask the elements and stars for guidance. Help will always be there, but it first comes within.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.HerbalActionProject.com
- Other: ShamanJesus.Org
Image Credits
Marcelo Villasenor
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