Dr. Stephen Harrod Buhner, passed away on December 8, 2022. Yet it was not unexpected, as he predicted and wrote about the process of dying, from his own perspective. He prepared himself and his followers through his posts and blog. He will live on, through his blogs and books, which we will forever cherish.
He loved writing and he loved helping others. The world will miss him and there will He loved writing and through his works, he helped millions of people. He was an author of 24 books, 1 is just being released, and 10 of which are award-winners. He wrote articles, memoirs, short stories, and poetry on nature, herbal medicine, the environment, and indigenous culture. The world will miss him and there will never be another like him, as he was a true pioneer. To read more about him and his accomplishments, here is a link to a self-written biography: https://www.stephenharrodbuhner.com/about/
On his social media page, his loved ones posted: “There is a saying in some places on the continent of Africa that says something like: When an old man dies, a library burns. It was a favorite among many of Stephen’s. An elder has died. Stephen died yesterday morning, December 8th around 9:30 am mountain time. He was in a ceremony with friends and family. He was aware, conscious, present, open hearted and humorous. He was himself all the way through. And so very brave. Our hearts are heavy as they have ever been. We miss him terribly. He will be buried this morning in his beloved forest. Thank you all for all the kindness you showed him in these past weeks and months, it meant the very world to him. Stephen said your comments felt like a living wake.”
I feel blessed to have had a conversation with him. I am deeply saddened. When I first began my journey, I was determined to find answers. Instead, I found Dr. Buhner’s work and I felt that he had already found many of the answers. His contributions to this world are far more than I could mention, and I spent over five years advocating him, his work, and his teachings to all of my followers.
As he tells us in his book, “Healing Lyme”, that his parents were doctors. He became one himself, giving him a unique perspective, and knowledge, as an herbalist. With his background, love for nature, writing, and plants, he became a unique teacher for the world that knew little of it all. He wrote about everything from intelligent pathogens to the consciousness of plants. He taught us through his books, blogs, and posts and all the way up to the end, he posted to his fans, personally, on social media. He taught us in an easily understandable way. He taught us to get to know the pathogen itself and the plants that we use.
On December 4, 2022, he wrote: Facebook A Last Post
HI All
Regrettably, my body has taken a severe turn for the worst; it doesn’t look like it will be able to be corrected. I spend most of the day sleeping; I am having seizures and mini-strokes now. Julie brings me back from them but it is getting harder and harder for her to do so. It’s only a few more days now. Sorry for this last long journey into night. I had hoped to find a different outcome.
Pulmonary fibrosis is not a kind disease and in many ways cancer is far more benevolent oddly enough. I have spent most of my time on the couch in front of the computer or about 20 feet away lying in bed, that is about all I can do and I have to have help to make it that far. I can no longer move on my own. Your very kind donations have allowed us to clear all our credit cards and buy a few expensive care items that we had hoped to have and which have helped immensely. You have helped us so much in the end; this has made more of a difference than you know and I can’t thank you deeply enough.
I am lucky enough to be buried deep in the Gila Forest in a place few people are aware of. luckily, New Mexico is still supportive of home and green burial. So it is just me and my beloved forest, right adjacent to the Aldo Leopold wilderness area, which makes a lot of sense to me given my life’s work. The truth is that as I have grown older and more tired, I feel my connection to the land more deeply. I have been lucky enough to be buried in a handmade woolen shroud. One made with care and love, the deer buttons are quite lovely.
Julie and Trishuwa will have some posts to make in the coming weeks.
I did manage to finish my last book, BecomingV. It will be out in a number of weeks. Only 500 or so; I did not get to see it in print. I left quite a number of signed stickers to be placed in some of the books though I don’t expect them to last long. I wish you all the best, safe travel in your lives.
Green blessings,
Stephen Harrod Buhner
I wrote to him and told him that he was my inspiration, that his herbs and the information he shared were the game-changers in helping us to get well, and that I had named a product after him. I never expected a response from him, as I just wanted to put my feelings out into the universe. Surprisingly, he replied and he thanked me for thinking of him, by naming something after him. My love and respect for him only increased from there. He wrote a blog on what it is like to be in the dying stages of life. It touched me deeply, as I read it in tears. It was reading this blog that allowed me to mourn his loss, in my own personal way. Only he, and in the final stages of his life, could write such an article: https://www.stephenharrodbuhner.com/articles/on-aging/
Dr. Stephen Harrod Buhner, I have lived the past five years following, respecting, and wanting to get to know you, and your work, even more. When I was grieving the loss of my own son, I locked myself in with your books and I when I finally came out, I was a new person, inspired and determined to help others. You gave me a new life. Even if you were unaware, you have always been my guide, my light, and my teacher. I will forever keep you in my heart, as you have become a part of who I am today. You are, and always be, a part of my story…….
