While living in the Southeastern Peruvian Andes and Amazon for 22 years, the co-founder leading practitioner Jessica has been trained and is working with Ayahuasca in the Shipibo tradition. She is certified as an “Onanya” (Ayahuasca master) by the School for Traditional Shipibo Medicine in Pucallpa and member of its advisory board.
A former Manu National Park rainforest guide, she does ongoing healing work requested by the indigenous people of the region. As a traditional practitioner she regularly participates in international conferences.
As a woman and mother, she is highly experienced in assisting people in bringing about positive life change by very practical and down-to-Earth means. She organizes and takes small groups of Westerners (2 to 5 persons) on 7-day-long retreats to “Parign Hak” (Grandma´s Home), a unique initiative of Manu´s indigenous Harakbut people to host her retreats, located in the mountain rainforest adjacent to Manu National Park, where she provides a culturally adapted healing and cleansing process that consists of traditional plant baths and three ceremonies in Ayahuasca´s natural home, combined with an intimate immersion into Harakbut culture.
Other local healer are usually on site and participants may be brought together in ceremony with Harakbut community people in an attempt to not only facilitate integral healing for all ceremony participants, but also to foster mutual cultural understanding.
As recommended by the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service (ICEERS), all participants go through an integral process of selection, preparation, ceremonies and integration. This process includes a pre-ceremonial information package, a previous personal interview, traditional dietary restrictions, integration circles, further one-to-one integration interviews in between ceremonies and availability for further consultations for as long as necessary after the third ceremony.
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Elika
September 23, 2018 at 12:57 pmI have stayed at Parign Hak twice. My most recent experience was like a much awaited homecoming, both for myself and my Parign Hak family. I can’t remember being happier to see a group of people because the Parign Hak family is open, honest, trustworthy, fun, and above all, full of love. These qualities were so essential for my healing because I felt safe enough to be vulnerable and delve into the messiness of facing my authentic self. As a result, I experienced healing of issues that I have struggled with and had not made much progress with over the last 20+ years. I would not have been able to reach such a degree of profound insight and understanding of myself and the world around me without the expert guidance of Jessica, a talented ayahuasquera, whose compassion, devotion, integrity and love, as well as her genuine connection with ayahuasca, and intelligence about culture and society is beyond measure. Additionally, Parign Hak offers a loving family that makes the beautifully breathtaking Amazon jungle a home away from home. I shared delicious, nourishing, locally-sourced meals with them and they joked with me and I felt my heart open more than it ever has before. I can’t wait to return to Parign Hak and see my family again!
Gato42
September 19, 2018 at 3:44 pmParign Hak is a small but phenomenal hidden-gem in the Peruvian Amazon. I was referred to Jessica by Dr. Dennis McKenna. I was looking for a reputable Ayahuasquera who could speak English, but Jessica is so much more than that. She’s the perfect bridge between the Western world, and the wonderful Harakbut culture in which Parign Hak is embedded. This isn’t just a Ayahuasca retreat center, it’s a family home and from day one I was welcomed in as one of Vicky’s (the indigenous owner’s) own kids. The center has a very strong maternal presence, and as a single female traveller, I always felt safe and taken care of. Not only was the host family amazing, but Parign Hak carefully screens all of its participants so everyone there was serious about their ayahuasca work and extremely respectful to our native hosts. They were also a LOT of fun to be around. Parign Hak was the perfect retreat center, and I’m incredibly grateful I was able to participate!
Tabi
September 2, 2018 at 8:45 amParign Hak is a very special place in Manu Biosphere Reserve with a wonderful, knowledgeable team that create a safe and healing atmosphere.
This was my first ceremony with ayahuasca and Jessica’s expertise, honesty and humour makes her an exceptional curandero. Parign Hak not only offers a respectful cultural bridge but is also a fantastic example of a sustainable enterprise within one of the most biodiverse areas on the globe.
I could not recommend Parign Hak enough and urge anyone who is being called to plant healing to visit!
marksina
August 16, 2018 at 12:28 amIf ayahuasca is coming for you, nudging you to imbibe, then a safe and wise choice is a visit to Parign Hak (Grandma’s Place) with Jessica.
A small group of us (4 only) left Cusco with Jessica and (via a lovely one night stop at the Qeros Communidad Nativa) and took the motorised canoe to Parign Hak (Grandma’s Place). At that point it was clear to us that we were family for the duration of the stay.
This is low-key, no bullshit, true trans-personal, trans-cultural experience. Some aspects that appealed to me:
* I felt welcomed, contained, accepted for the way I am
* The food was simple and delicious, cooked under the watchful eye of Gloria
* The cottages and conference room have a delicious humble feel
* The maloca, tucked away further into the jungle, is a sweet piece of mystery
* Jessica has hard-won wisdom and a deep understanding of ayahuasca and ceremony
* The jungle is magical and our forays into it and along the river added a depth to the ceremonies.
I have come back to Australia grateful, humbled, opened to the possibilities of ayahuasca, refocused back to the essentials of life, blown away by plant intelligence.
junglespirit
August 12, 2018 at 4:49 pmParign Hak – Grandma´s Home is named like this for a good reason: I felt extraordinarily well mothered by the Medicine, Jessica, Victoria and her amazing Harakbut family. This small native-owned retreat initiative brings together the feeling of being at home and being part of the local family, with learning about the gorgeous mountain rainforest, plants and animals and the local culture. The local organic food I found on my plate every day and excursions into the nearby forests made this experience difficult to surpass. I couldn´t recommend it more to anybody looking for a truly authentic and unique experience.
artemisawake
July 27, 2018 at 11:21 amJessica and the Parign Hak team are beautiful souls, absolutely so hospitable and kind. There are so many aspects of the experience that I appreciate, and I’ll do my best to be brief here!
It was easy to trust Jessica from the first moment we met to discuss my application. She is a good listener and has a vast knowledge of various spiritual practices and traditions, as well as a commitment to the integration process, which is above all one of the most valuable aspects of an Ayahuasca retreat experience. She was available to us to speak about our experience, to ask questions, and also to trust our intuition and journey without necessarily relying on her for “answers”. Jessica’s expertise of the area is fascinating and educational. Our journey to Manu and walks in the jungle was full of plant education and stories of her time in the area. Her knowledge of plants, animals, cultural history, and current affairs in the region far exceeded my expectations and delighted my curious sensibilities.
When we were greeted by the rest of the Parign Hak team I could feel something so special about their connection to each other, Jessica, the land, and the medicine. This is a truly powerful group of people who have come into this path together; the healing work being done is not only a gift to the participants who come from outside, but seems integral to the wellbeing and transformation to the family and community as well. This is extremely important to me as many Ayahuasca retreat centers may not necessarily invite participants into the cultural context nor into cross-cultural conversation. I am so grateful for the privilege of connecting with them and learning about their lineages and cultures.
Jessica’s training in and dedication to the Shipibo tradition is very strong. She holds a very protected container and really knows what she is doing. She doesn’t have this egoic personality that many ayahuascero/as can have… She is humble, sincere, and unwaveringly confident in her abilities. During my sessions, Vicki and Alberto were assisting and they also held a strong presence. I felt so absolutely safe. The maloka is beautiful, humble, and surrounded by a strong and protected energetic space with beautiful, powerful plant friends and teachers. I miss it so much!!
The area seemed unique in that it was not full of mosquitos as many Amazonian areas are said to be. I didn’t need mosquito netting. (I went in late November.) The team was honest and helpful about any safety precautions, so not to worry! You’re totally taken care of!
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to sit with this team and look forward to doing so again someday.
Lauralky
July 24, 2018 at 11:06 pmThe ethnobotanist Dennis McKenna referred me to this retreat center last year. Parign Hak (Grandma’s Home) is a small place in a beautiful mountainous area of Peruvian Amazon. Going there was one of the most important experiences of my entire life. Not only did the ayahuasca work heal me in a myriad of ways, but the retreat itself was life changing. Parign Hak has a strong focus of the local indigenous culture, and it was amazing being immersed with the native Harakbut population. The retreat has the utmost respect for the indigenous people there, and a couple of locals even sat in the ceremonies to be healed by Jessica (our phenomenal gringa ayahuascera) I’d been on two other retreats in the past, but Parign Has was by far the best. It’s not very commercialized, and kind of hidden in the world of ayahuasca retreats. I probably wouldn’t have found it at all if Dr. McKenna hadn’t given me the referral. I always try to support “small businesses”. Thousands of people go to Rythmia, Temple of the Way of Light, Spirit Vine etc. Those places don’t need your money. But tiny, hidden gems like PH do. So you’re looking for a more personal, intimate and culturally eye-opening experience go to Grandma’s Home!!
S
July 19, 2018 at 7:25 pmI feel incredibly lucky and grateful for the week that I was able to spend with Jessica. It was my first experience working with ayahuasca and I am certain that the combination of Jessica’s work and support as well as the incomparable essence and beauty of Manu National Park combined with the medicine to provide healing that I am still unraveling and processing. I can’t recommend Jessica enough. Years of experience, a profound love & respect for the people and place that she works with and a connection with ayahuasca that is deeply beautiful make her a true gift to anyone who wants to delve into this particular path to healing.
Camila
July 13, 2018 at 4:18 pmDespués de haber pasado unos días en Parign Hak no he parado de recomendarlo a mis amigos y familia. Es una experiencia mágica, logras desconectarte del mundo exterior y conectarte contigo mismo. Muchas gracias Jessica por la guía y enseñanza, eres una persona admirable y tu trabajo excepcional. Gracias Viky y Alberto por el amor, la protección y confianza. Hacen un excelente equipo y un bello trabajo. Una parte de mi corazón se quedo en ese lugar, ansío volver pronto.
—In English—
After having spent a few days in Parign Hak I have not stopped recommending it to my friends and family. It’s a magical experience, you manage to disconnect from the outside world and connect with yourself. Thank you very much Jessica for the guidance and teaching, you are an admirable person and your work exceptional. Thank you Viky and Alberto for love, protection and trust. They make an excellent team and a beautiful job. A part of my heart stayed in that place, I look forward to coming back soon.
Guille Isa
July 7, 2018 at 11:59 amViajar hacia Parign Hak es mágicamente viajar al corazón de la selva.
Es viajar para visitar la casa de la abuela, mi abuela. A medida que avanzaba en el viaje y me profundizaba en la vegetación, cruzando ríos y tomando un bote, me empezaba a sentir mas en casa.
Al llegar, el lugar se abre de par en par y es hermoso, podía sentir el cariño puesto en la construcción de cada detalle y sobre todo en la conservación del lugar y el cuidado puesto para que viva en armonía con su entorno.
Inmediatamente sentí el respeto y amor que le tienen a la naturaleza. Y pude comprobarlo cuando los conocí: Jessica, Victoria y Alberto me hicieron sentir en familia. Ellos hacen un equipo maravilloso, donde durante la sesión no solo sientes que estas en manos de personas preparadas sino que ademas estas en manos de personas que realmente les importas. La protección y el cuidado con el que se dirigen a cada uno de sus visitantes hacen que ciertamente sea la casa de la abuela para cada uno.
Fue sin duda, la mejor experiencia que tuve con la planta, de una conexión especial, que solo personas a las que se le han sido otorgadas las llaves pueden hacerte acceder.
—In English—
Traveling to Parign Hak is magically traveling to the heart of the jungle.
It is traveling to visit the house of the grandmother, my grandmother. As I went on the trip and went deeper into the vegetation, crossing rivers and taking a boat, I began to feel more at home.
Upon arrival, the place opens wide and is beautiful, I could feel the affection put in the construction of every detail and especially in the conservation of the place and the care put to live in harmony with its environment.
Immediately I felt the respect and love that they have for nature. And I could see when I met them: Jessica, Victoria and Alberto made me feel like a family. They make a wonderful team, where during the session you not only feel that you are in the hands of prepared people but also you are in the hands of people who really care. The protection and care with which they address each one of their visitors make it certainly the grandmother’s house for everyone.
It was without a doubt, the best experience I had with the plant, of a special connection, that only people who have been granted the keys can make you access.