Temple of the Way of Light

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.

Reviews (94)

4.7 out of 5
Overall 4.7
  • ahla ish
    ahla ish
    May 31, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    Joel is probably one of the best shamans in the worlds. this is a legit master. he will heal you and help you and get you where you need to get.
    he is such a positive energy, and a committed experienced healer. he will purge with you if you need it, and all he wants is to help you heal and get what you search for.
    Any ceremony you looking for, i wish for you to find joel.

  • mimismith2276
    mimismith2276
    March 1, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Just completed a 12 day 7 ceremony retreat in Feb. TOTWOL was the perfect choice for my first retreat and first time using the plant medicine. They have a great integrative program to process all that arises out of the ceremonies, they have a delicious dieta and also incorporate physical cleanses to help the body and mind prepare to receive the medicine. The natural setting of the jungle is beautiful to reconnect with nature. I would highly recommend going here.

  • mcfrauigirl
    mcfrauigirl
    February 24, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    I found this retreat center to be unethical and greedy. Their website said 12 participants for a yoga retreat, which was what I was looking for for my healing, yet they crammed 30 people into their yoga rooms and into their “personal” sharing sessions. One young troubled gentleman, who was clearly there for healing and not for the “next trip in life”, shared with me that he would’ve opened up about his problems if the group wasn’t so large. (Everyone had expected just 12 people.) What a shame! His healing, as well as my own, was hindered due to their greediness. I didn’t go all the way to the jungle of Peru to be herded and crammed into rooms like cattle, and then snapped at for how long it was taking for all of us to do the same thing at the same time. Who would want that?! It was an introvert’s nightmare. They even admitted that their website was misleading once I returned home early, but refused to refund my money. Nothing has ever been given to me, and I had done hard labor to earn enough money for this “healing” retreat and have nothing to show for it. I’d steer clear of this organization and find one focused on healing rather than profiting off of hurting people seeking help.

    • TOTWOL
      TOTWOL
      February 28, 2020 at 12:51 am

      The page for this retreat states that the number of guests in each ceremony would be 12 – this is to ensure that ceremonies are intimate and there is ample space for everyone in the maloka. This is how all of our retreats are designed in Center Two – with a total group size of 24 that is split into two ceremony groups.

      It is important to us not only that guests have plenty of physical space in ceremony, but also that the number of guests in our programs is appropriate for the size of the spaces where meetings, classes, and ceremonies are held and for the number of supporting staff that are present. We ensure that each guest has ample plenty of time and attention from their facilitators and the healers during their retreat, both in a group setting and individually.

      We firmly limit capacity in all of our programs to maximize each person’s healing experience in the group container and understand that having intimate ceremonies has great value in the healing process. We do not jeopardize this to take in more guests. We also do not herd nor cram our guests, nor do we engage in false advertising, as all of this would go against our intentions, our values, what we seek to offer and how we aim to be of service to our guests.

      In the seven years that we have been running these programs in Center Two, we have not had anyone ask for a refund because of the number of guests who were attending a retreat. You were the only guest who left the retreat out of a group of 24, and the feedback from those who were present is that the retreat was a supportive and deeply transformative experience from which they received much benefit.
      During your retreat you did not mention any of these concerns to your facilitators, and your expressed reason for departing the retreat, as the healing was just beginning, was that you didn’t believe ayahuasca was going to work for you.

      Again, we are sorry that you chose to not see the retreat through to the end and receive the full benefits of completing the process. Not feeling a conscious experience of ayahuasca is not uncommon in the early stages, although this does not mean it was not working towards something. Genuine and lasting healing is a process. As an analogy, if we get sick and a doctor recommends us 5 days of antibiotics and we stop after 2 days, we can’t blame the medicine or doctor for it not working. This is one of the most common issues westerners face when working with plant medicine, expecting miraculous healing in a very short space of time and not understanding that patience, surrender and trusting in the process are critical. Ayahuasca is not a panacea.

      It is also natural and very common that limiting and blameful patterns can be exposed and externalized during the healing process. Although we know that it is not always possible, we aim to empower those who come to us to take responsibility for their emotions and experiences, recognizing that self-responsibility is ultimately the key to deep and lasting transformation.

      However, despite all of this and our policy that we do not issue refunds if someone leaves a retreat early, we still offered you a partial refund of your program cost at your request. We are deeply committed to creating a space for healing, and always welcome and sincerely consider constructive feedback about our retreats.

  • Emma James
    Emma James
    October 30, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    With gratitude for Matthew, the founder of The Temple Of The Way Of Light:
    I enrolled in an 11 day Intensive – focused on alignment of my life’s true nature and with this, my life’s path… Absolutely brilliant … The facilitators were exceptional in delivering the daytime work around this, then, at night, with ceremony, our intentions were brought from the day’s work, to enhance the healing work of the ayahuasca and Shipibo healers. So perfect to have these two levels of personal work.
    All the staff were right there, for the 11 days, in all ways that one may need them. I had a beautiful Tambo (sleeping hut) where I felt private, could experience the jungle and yet be a stone’s throw from someone if I needed it. The grounds are very well looked after, the food delicious and all meal preferences catered for, without breaking the dieta rules. Safety is paramount. The grounds have security at the boundaries, the staff are plentiful during ceremonies, helping with any needs that may arise, like going to the toilet, or if deeply struggling. The Shipibo are exceptional…words can’t describe their compassion, awareness and joyful nature. If you are thinking about coming, come. There’s so many options on the calendar. I had not worked with this medicine before, but I will be again.

  • jcdupin
    jcdupin
    October 22, 2019 at 12:59 pm

    I have been to the Temple two times over the last two years. The first time was in November 2017 for a 9 day intensive program. The second time was just this past month for an 11 Day special workshop around Alignment and Calling (ontological inquiry). Each time I have been blown away by the level of care, awareness and intention that the facilitators and healers bring to the retreat. After my first retreat I noticed immense growth in my personal and professional life that completely altered the trajectory I was on. After this recent retreat, I feel like I have gained even more clarity about my life’s calling. I also feel a huge heart opening and this freedom to express my love and gratitude to others without the fears that were holding me back in the past. On top of all of this, the environment they’ve created at the Temple is one that allows for an individual to really connect with oneself and to feel rested, relaxed and clear after only a couple days of being there. The founder Matthew has also done an incredible job of communicating his vision and calling in such a way that I was left feeling deeply being inspired by it. You can see their values, vision and calling are living throughout the organization

  • Walid
    Walid
    October 22, 2019 at 5:57 am

    You’re here either because you’ve already decided to experience the life changing encounter with Ayahuasca or you’re still making up your mind. That was me 3 years ago.
    There’s so much to know about this mysterious ancient indigenous practice that one will never uncover everything it has to show, and that to me, is the infinite beauty of it.
    However the first thing you want to know and understand, is that “set and setting” is paramount for this experience to be transformative. “Set” is your mind-set and “setting” is the environment you are experiencing Ayahuasca in.
    Temple of the Way of Light was the choice i’ve made for my first retreat and i have been back again and again because they provide the most authentic and safe environment which are 2 indispensable prerequisites for an effective and meaningful Ayahuasca retreat for seekers of healing and spiritual growth.
    Working for many years closely and ethically with the most traditional Shipibo healers of the Loreto region of the Amazon, Temple of the Way of Light are contributing to preserve this ancient lost knowledge but even more so, they are at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of this human science and its evolution.
    The Temple is founded on highly profound values and principles of Respect for Life, Reciprocity and the inter-relation between all beings, and this is reflected in every aspect of the Temple and the help of every facilitator during the retreat.
    Located in the deep Amazonian forest, one is surprised to see how well accommodated and convenient the stay is, not to mention the delicious healthy food and meals prepared daily with love by dedicated staff.
    This place offered me a unique experience of healing and awakening, one which I highly recommend if you are ready to Awaken!
    Much love and good luck on your journey : )

  • cchelin
    cchelin
    October 22, 2019 at 3:41 am

    I visited the Temple in October 2019 for an 11 day, 5 ceremony intensive retreat focussed on alignment. What an incredible and authentic experience which I couldn’t begin to explain in a paragraph. The Temple, facilitators, healers and helpers were just amazing, making the experience, stay and deep work as comfortable as one could ever hope for considering the nature of the work. This was my first time working with plant medicine and I couldn’t image a better environment to do so. The healers are really extraordinary and the content from the resources a perfect mix for what I required. I highly recommend!

  • Emil Arnaudov
    Emil Arnaudov
    October 20, 2019 at 8:44 am

    The Temple grounds are beautiful and it allows you to experience the nature in it`s purest form. At the same time you have your needs covered – toilets, showers, food, personal tambo(room) and etc.

    The Temple creates very supportive environment for that type of work. The guidelines they provide on understanding how to work with the medicine(how to work with it, not how it works) were invalueble during ceremonies and during integration. Slowly I was building the trust in them and in the healers which was the catalyst for the healing I experienced. It is absolutely crucial to have trust in the facilitators and the healers. The environment during the group sharing and integration was one of support and openness. It allowed me to open up and say what I have been afraid to say, which turned out to be what I needed..

    I attended the Alignment Intensive workshop as I was feeling lost and wasn’t sure what I want to do with my life. The programm has been created in way where the daily sessions(the Alignment work)work in symbiosis with the work of the healers. Something that has to be experienced in order to be understood.

    As conclusion, The Temple provides absolute safe environment in all aspects of the work with Ayahuasca and it was absolutely worth it. Most importantly I got what I went there for.

  • Baudolino
    Baudolino
    April 1, 2019 at 6:08 am

    One of the best decisions I have ever made.
    My experience at the Temple before, during and after the 11 day Alignment Retreat has been and still is outstanding. Rarely have I experienced so much integrity, care, and love, as here at The Temple Of The Way Of Light. For me the retreat has been an initial and profound experience to get to know about my Self. And I’m now being able to integrate shadow parts which I wasn’t aware of before. The integration of this whole experience with all aspects into everyday life is a key component of this work and I got excellent prepared for it at the Temple. Now I feel more joy, more quality of life and more balance than ever before. My life has not become easier, but much more enjoyable. A great experience and I am in gratitude to all involved at the Temple. I highly recommend the Temple of the Way of Light.

  • CondorSky
    CondorSky
    March 19, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    I would say that while the healers of this organization are gifted the staff is dangerous in that there is a lack of awareness and accountability for blind spots and spiritual bypassing. The staff dabbles in areas of therapeutic healing that they are not skilled to handle and don’t even recognize that they aren’t skilled to handle. They can’t see what they don’t know and from that perspective they have the potential to cause great harm to clients who are vulnerable.
    I had thought that I was one of few people to hold this perspective but the more I speak out the more I find that others have unfortunately had this experience as well. You likely won’t hear from these people as the Temple does a good job of silencing them.

    • TOTWOL
      TOTWOL
      April 11, 2019 at 3:04 am

      The Temple is deeply committed to ensuring that we provide optimal conditions for deep transformation to occur, be it in the quality of our medicine, with experienced and well-intentioned healers and staff, providing a safe setting, etc., as well as always learning from any mistakes that arise. We do not practice spiritual bypassing and our foreign staff includes skilled and experienced doctors and practitioners in a variety of healing and therapeutic fields. Our aim is to empower those who come for retreats to be present in the Now and awaken their most authentic self. Our mission is to create a container where our guests can feel safe so that they are able to create transformation for themselves and with ayahuasca.

      We always handle valid complaints and criticisms honestly and appropriately. Where and when we make a mistake (which we occasionally do), we accept it, learn from it, and strive not to repeat it. The challenges that we have faced over the years have actually been our biggest teachers and have initiated an evolution for the Temple for which we are most grateful.

      Dishonest complaints, disinformation, and spurious allegations unfortunately also happen occasionally. When working in “shadow territories,” as it is the nature of ayahuasca, limiting, blameful, destructive, and self-sabotaging patterns are exposed. In an effort to manage and integrate a big experience, or if the ego is not able to face the shadow within, it may then unknowingly be projected externally, and result in being triggered and/or finding fault or blame in other people, circumstances, situations, reasons, or excuses to validate a position. This is a huge aspect of shadow work and one that we see frequently. We devote a lot of energy to guiding guests towards an awareness of what projection is in the first days of working with the medicine, as it is possible to become overwhelmed with a strong experience in ceremony. We do our best to encourage awareness of this pattern before it does arise, and then again, gently, when it does.

      This reviewer’s experience, like all of ours, is entirely valid, and also a reflection of their inner world. We are never interested in silencing anyone, and there is also a line between accepting when we have made a mistake and not accepting charged blame and unauthentic assumptions, which can and does happen with a very small number of guests who are not able/willing to take personal responsibility for their experiences.

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