The Temple of the Way of Light is a traditional plant-medicine shamanic healing center located in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest that offers intensive ayahuasca retreats with female and male Shipibo healers. We are dedicated to providing our guests with the opportunity to benefit from the ancient healing wisdom of the Shipibo people, and to helping this unique culture preserve its knowledge and identity in the 21st Century.
We work with some of the most respected and powerful healers (Onanya) from the Shipibo tribe. They are highly experienced, gentle, caring, and deeply dedicated to healing and embodying the wisdom and sincerity of their people. The healing traditions of the Shipibo people offer an ancient yet pioneering path to health, re-discovering our true nature and re-awakening to our true purpose.
The Temple firmly believes in respecting and honoring the ancient practices of the Onanya, experts in ayahuasca healing and plant-spirit shamanism of the Amazon. They bring a rich cultural and medicinal legacy to the healing process: time-honored rituals, intricate practices, an expansive cosmology, an encyclopedic knowledge of medicinal plants of the Amazon, and a far-reaching ancestral lineage.
The Temple has safely facilitated healing for thousands of people since 2007 and has forged an exemplary reputation for stringent safety protocols, compassionate care, and a balance of female and male healers and facilitators. We have used our experience to fine-tune a synthesis of ancient Shipibo medicine traditions and modern and Eastern integrative practices that now extends to comprehensive aftercare and integration support long after guests have returned home. All this takes place with an institutional focus on sustainability, permaculture, ethics, and social responsibility.
We offer ayahuasca retreat programs of varying duration, focus, and intensity, with a balance of female and male Shipibo healers, experienced western facilitators, floral baths, a steam bath, a high ratio of healers to guests, a high number of ayahuasca ceremonies, individual consultations, a nutritional and balanced ayahuasca food diet, and a strong focus on how to process and integrate healing, both during and after each ayahuasca retreat.
The safety of our guests is paramount. We are constantly working to offer the safest container and most effective ayahuasca healing experience in the Amazon. We have developed the most stringent health and safety protocols available on any ayahuasca retreat in Peru. The Temple’s commitment to guests begins with in-depth medical and psychological screening during our booking procedure and continues after the retreat through our integration support. Guiding you safely through deep personal healing and growth is our priority, both in and out of ceremony.
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Diego
January 8, 2015 at 12:00 amI visited the Temple of the Way of Light in Dec 2014 for a 12 days ayahuasca retreat. The Temple is a place like no place on earth, a bridge between modern and ancient, able to provide access to authentic shipibo traditions, in a safe and supporting environment, while delivering holistic healing experiences. Travelling to the amazon jungle and trust the Temple was one of the most profound experience I ever had, gaining understanding of life, nature and reality that were un-immaginable only few weeks back. I would say living at the Temple of the Way of Light is the ultimate experience of inner exploration. If only every person in this planet could experience ayahuasca, it would be the end of human misery, the end of human suffering.
Fredrik
December 20, 2014 at 12:00 amI arrived 20141203 and stayed for the twelve day retreat, it was the one of the hardest things I done in my life. But thanks to the lovely staff at the Temple of way of life I survived :). The love and presence they gave my was nothing I ever felt before. It has been a life changing experience and I will definitely return!
Love Fredrik from Sweden
Bohdan
December 11, 2014 at 12:00 amWas as the temple November 18th,2014 for the 12 day Ceremony. If you are looking for a 100% safe and extremely well organized retreat look no further. The longer wait to book should give it away that this is the best Aya retreat on the planet. The experience from the second you are picked up to the final drop-off is fantastic. This is the Hilton of Aya. The Shaman’s have many years experience and are the real deal. The staff, food, location, and support is second to none. You are cared for during the ceremonies and when ever you need someone to talk to the support is there.
My wife is going in May, I wish it could be sooner. I will give you my 100% guarantee you will not be disappointed with the Temple of the Way of Light. My only advise to someone trying Aya for the first time, surrender yourself to the medicine with an open mind and spirit and you will come back home an improved you. Bohdan – Toronto Ontario Canada (Yes Bohdan is a Ukrainian name)
norabouz@gmail.com
December 10, 2014 at 12:00 amI visited the Temple November 2014; my experience went beyond what I could have imagined. What was so amazing was the love and care by everyone who works at the Temple, especially the facilitators, Debbie and Deanna. During tough times and intense emotional episodes I had, they both helped me clear my mind and open my heart to realize and learn, through their open heart, love and wisdom.
The facility is fantastic, the practice of true premaculture, the genuine care about the Amazon forest and the people who inhabit it.
The food was excellent. Beside the fact that it was very fresh, it was absolutely delicious!
I don’t believe the ceremonies could have been better. There were 5 shamans during the ceremonies. I felt their spiritual strength and presence at all times. They connected with everyone on a deep level. I don’t speak Spanish, but I have experienced their awareness of what was going on with me emotionally and physically, and they helped and guided me through the ceremonies. Even outside the ceremonies, the connection was quite strong, and I have felt genuine love and contentedness.
The facilitators and helpers where always there and present at any moment for those of us who needed them during the ceremony which meant the world!
Form me, this experience was very profound, and I felt that the temple of the way of light and its people had a big role in that. I am very grateful to everyone who contributed during my stay.
tjoshi
December 6, 2014 at 12:00 amI did the 12 day retreat and everything was above my expectations – everything. Beautiful setting, great accommodations, FANTASTIC food, AMAZING ceremonies, great format/program. The greatest appreciation for the staff.
Deb – The best leader one could ask for
Deanna – An angel in the flesh
Josh – awesome job in the dinning hall
Tyler – the coolest cat in the jungle!
Bachoom – nice work
Nicole – Angel on email
The Shamans were very special and to have 5 of them sing to you in each ceremony was truly a gift. The 6 month waiting list to get into the temple is certainly worth it! You will know what I mean when you get there.
Tim
Matt Ironbar
November 18, 2014 at 12:00 amI stayed at the Temple in October 2014 for a twelve day retreat.
The experience for me was one that has changed my life forever in many ways. The entire time was structured and overseeing, but not in a way that interfered with self and personal enjoyment, but rather to help shape a greater experience.
The temple grounds are beautiful with flowers, foliage and wildlife everywhere. It?s not the kind of facility that carved out a patch in the jungle, but rather found its place in the jungle. The grounds are expansive and going for a walk by your self is easy and more than safe. The facilities are exactly what I wanted; rustic, clean and with great food. I had my own Tambo (cabin) that was clean and neat with mosquito screen all around for a great view. There were small monkeys, the size of squirrels that I saw once or twice, but seemed very shy. It takes a little getting used to the Ayahuasca diet, but when the food is cooked as well as it is there, it?s no problem.
I did a lot of research on the different places that offer Ayahuasca, the one thing that convinced me about The Temple of The Way of Light was the number of real Shipibo Native Shamans. There were five Shamans, two men and three women. There were also two facilitators and a helper (did minor things during ceremony) to help with the ceremonies. From time to time, a daughter of one of the female Shamans would sit in during ceremony she was becoming a Shaman herself. So there was eight or nine people total to watch over everyone and make sure everything and everyone was safe. During the ceremony the Shamans will sing different Icoros (plant songs) to each person to help with the healing. This is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard and experienced! Especially when you have five Shamans singing, it?s like an Ayahuasca choir in the jungle. The number of Shamans was the deciding factor for me and I?m glad I chose the Temple. At the end of the ceremony one of the truly beautiful things about the jungle are the sounds of the night. Being deep inside the jungle you only hear the frogs, birds and other night time creatures which really made the end of the ceremony relaxing.
Some of the negative comments on AyaAdvisor.org about the Temple just don?t make any sense. There were three temple dogs and most everyone seemed to love them, not hate them this included the few dogs in the village. I?m an animal/dog lover and having them at the Temple was actually soothing to me and almost everyone else. There is a very small village nearby, and they do play music sometimes but it was always shut off before ceremony. The Shamans preside over the ceremony and the facilitators are there to help and oversee safety.
It was a beautiful experience and I will definitely go back.
Love is what you find inside of yourself first and then share with others.
Love Beauty Peace, to everyone!
jackiecookster
October 14, 2014 at 12:00 amI came to the Temple for the 12 day program, after recommendations through 3 separate friends who had come over various times doing various programs. I have drunk myself in various location in Europe but was after a deeper journey to my work.
From when I got picked up to when I left, I felt at all time’s, completely looked after and cared for by ALL of the staff, from the facilitators, the shamens, kitchen staff, cleaners, helpers and everyone on the grounds.
I had a read through some of the negative reviews and almost had to laugh at how absurd they are, and wonder what prompted them towards such negativity.
The temple fit together like a close family and I felt so welcome the whole time I was there.
The facilitators were top notch and the work the shamens put in is still blowing my mind. Such hard work, effort and dedication all put in to assist in our journey’s and healing really is something I will always be grateful for. The strength and dedication and many many years that are put in to get to that level of skill, openess and love really is a level of selflessness we don’t see so often in the western world.
I am already thinking of my return visit to the temple to continue my work and go deeper. The changes the medicine is bringing about, the awareness, the consciousness and the healing is something I have found nowhere else.
I connected with myself and the people around me in a way I would never forget, and it was only through the safety that I felt from the temple and the total confidence in the staff from their incredible work that I was able to get to this level.
I can only recommend this place so highly to anyone that has any questions, problems or issues that have arisen for them. I would happily take any of my family down here and would be confident in their care here.
I miss the temple and the staff. They will always have a place in my heart. The friendships I made down there will be forever.
miracleaya
October 6, 2014 at 12:00 amI can?t say enough good about the Temple and the work of the Maestras/Maestros. I plan to return with my wife and both sons. I am hoping that my brother comes as well as my sister and her entire family. I plan to present to a group of medical people who study psychedelics, natural medicines, etc., about the Temple and its work. We met with Rak Razam last year, saw his movie Aya Awakenings and signed up for the Temple. We thought that we knew what we?d be getting into. His movie, although very good, doesn?t begin to address the amazing healing that goes on at the Temple.
My son went to the Temple to help cure him from MS and PML ? a disease brought on by the poisonous drugs used to treat MS. PML almost killed him (25% of people die, the remainder have all been left with debilitations ? My son is the first one to survive and recover). He lost movement in his left side, including the ability to speak, write, eat, and move his left side. He also came to help heal emotionally ? 4 years of MS and PML have left tremendous emotional scars on him. I came to support my son and, as a side benefit, perhaps heal my left thumb ? doctors told me that it was arthritis and gave me cortisone, for no benefit (a rather expensive, useless band aid). I knew that it was due to a blockage in my left side from a broken neck that occurred 21 years ago and was fused 12 years ago, the same time as a wound on my left thumb ? although no western doctor would listen to me. I also needed to heal from not only the 4 years watching my son struggle, but 6 years earlier, I had failed in a business (my first time to fail) and had lost all my money (thankfully nothing else). We had high expectations. When we arrived, we consulted with the Maestras/Maestros and told them everything. They prescribed the plant medicines and massages. What we received far exceeded our expectations. We are both healed ? not just symptoms masked, but healed. My thumb is better than it has been in years and continues to improve. Suy massaged my back and ?cracked? it better than any chiropractor has ? without any violent twisting. I could feel the energy moving through my left side for the first time in 21 years. My son’s MS and PML are a thing of the past (he has more testimonial of his own). Our emotional healing went way beyond what we expected. Our relationships with my wife and my other son have improved tremendously. We feel peace like we haven?t felt in years ? many years. We feel well, positive, and look forward to the future. I am bringing my wife, and hopefully my oldest son, back to the Temple next year. I have already recommended it to my brother and my sister and her family (my sister is already planning on attending with her husband and children). Coming to the Temple has been a lifesaver. The immense physical, emotional, and spiritual healing is astounding and no material, no movie, or no testimonial prepared us for what we received. I thank you all for being and for what you have done for and given us. You are the best.
bittersweetblissful
August 10, 2014 at 12:00 amIn 2012 I visited the temple for the 12 day workshop. That experience was single handedly the most important experience in my life. Over the last 2 years since I visited the temple, my life has changed in every way that I could have ever dreamed. To give you a few examples – my hopelessness and anxiety has disappeared and synchronicity has become so prevent in my everyday life, my eating disorder is no longer a part of my life, I’m living where I always dreamed I would, doing the things I’ve always wanted to, with no doubts I’m exactly on my path. Synchronicity and intuition is what I rely on to make my dreams a reality and I’m able to easily realize anything I want. Yes, ayahuasca, the brew herself, was the catalyst in my recovery and self discovery. but I know nothing to be more true in my heart, The Temple of The Way of Light – is the most incredible project happening on this planet – to heal this planet. The incredible selfless vision of this place is overwhelming. There is not a droplet of doubt that if you feel a calling to mother aya, the temple will take care of you and give you the absolute support and love you need through this amazing transformative journey we are all on together. I will be returning to the temple this year in a few short months and I know my soul in this life is eternally grateful for the temple where it can remember who we really are. ?
primal_node
May 22, 2014 at 12:00 amI spent the month of November in the Temple in 2013. I had two 12 day workshops back to back over this time.
Firstly, the Shipibo. They are a world treasure. The Maestras and Maestros over my stay were some of the most incredible people I have ever met. Dedicated to Ayahuasca and their role as healers. Taking Aya gave me insight into the bond that they share with the Amazon and the plantlife within it. Each healer has their own unique properties, each doing their part to heal the pasahero or voyager on their journey. They taught me so much in such a short time about who I am and who I can be. Gentleness, compassion, acceptance, purity, love. They all nurture these within themselves and others, and yet they are just humans like us, with human natures like us. Truly beautiful.
The Temple is gorgeous, the malokas are a wonderful setting for ayahuasca and the tambos are simple but just right. Food is plentiful and fantastic. I felt so cleansed once I left and I am sure that it is in no small part to the wholesome food. I did occasionally hear music from the local village but just accepted it as being part of the experience, the same with some construction near my tambo. There are always quiet places to be found if one wishes.
My personal journey was an experience both hard and wonderful. Sometimes I was afraid to drink and others I was eager, a true journey of the ego letting go. Sometimes I felt frustrated with people and situations and others I felt perfectly at peace. The people were a fascinating cross section of humanity and while everyone has the differences, we all were able to coexist harmoniously through such a challenging time.
The facilitators were always willing to help us process what was happening and the locals, aiding us during the ceremonies and in daily life were kind and respectful of our experience.
I am going back in October this year as I know I have more to process. As a result of my experiences so far my anxiety would be reduced by about 70% in frequency and I am making many positive changes in my life that I know to be a part of this change(to put a figure on it). My meditation has also become very fulfilling. I am looking forward to strengthening my connection with the medicine.
Irake 🙂