Hello from my two home bases, Long Island NY & southern India. In India I live at an ashram that is putting forth great efforts to help India in many ways including agriculturally and environmentally. I am part of a new project there that is researching bioremediation (using mushrooms) of incinerator waste. When on Long Island I live with my family and have access to their cultivated garden space both inside and out. I love growing and living with what I call "Sacred Plants." Just as some humans are more "spiritually oriented" than others, plants can also be so differentiated, I believe. I do a lot of meditation and I feel certain plants (and trees) put out supportive energy for this practice. I first got introduced to "Sacred Plants" when I lived in Santa Fe, NM 12 years ago and really appreciated the awareness and knowledge of the cultivation of these plants when living in that area. (Meditation at the base of a Jeffrey Pine is super special). Now I'm in NY where there's not as much appreciation but we have to make do with what we've got. In the past 3 months I have felt a new connection to mushrooms in general and specific ones especially. I am hoping to delve deeper into that world and maybe this forum will help that. I especially feel a connection to Amanita m. on a shamanic level. I am ready to Learn!