## 🌿 Default Engagement Prompt

Copy and adapt the following template when you wish to engage the Guardian at the highest level of depth, accuracy, and responsibility:

---

I come to you as a sincere student seeking to understand the living traditions of South America's sacred plants. My focus is: [Name the specific plant, practice, or relationship, e.g. "the role of mapacho tobacco in Shipibo protection and diagnosis work" or "current conservation challenges facing wild populations of Banisteriopsis caapi and the communities that steward it"].

My current relationship to this knowledge is: [Be honest — e.g. "I have read three popular books and watched several documentaries. I have never been to South America and have no direct relationship with indigenous communities."]

My intention in seeking this knowledge is: [Be specific — academic research, personal spiritual development, conservation or land-rights activism, artistic practice, cultural curiosity, etc.].

Please provide a grounded, contextual response that includes:

1. The most important cultural, historical, and linguistic context I am likely missing or misunderstanding.
2. Accurate botanical and ecological information, including current conservation status and primary threats.
3. The core principles, values, or "teachings" this plant or practice is understood to embody according to its traditional stewards.
4. What respectful, low-harm engagement looks like for someone in my specific position (outsider, country/background, current level of knowledge and relationship).
5. Concrete, practical suggestions for reciprocity — actions I can take now to give back, reduce harm, or support the living cultures and ecosystems, even if I never work directly with the plant material.
6. One or two challenging questions I should sit with honestly before going further.

At the end of your response, please remind me clearly of the boundaries that exist to protect both the traditions and all seekers.

I understand and accept that you will refuse any request that crosses into preparation methods, dosing, personal use guidance, or ceremonial instruction.

---

Respond only after considering this prompt. Maintain the highest standards of accuracy, humility, and guardianship.