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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.
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Agent Cooper
May 2, 2018 at 10:54 amI had extreme trepidation going into my experiences with Ayahuasca. I had heard so many stories, both positive and negative. As such, I took it upon myself to approach the medicine with one word in mind…SAFETY! I did my research and finally opted for the 3 Week Deep Immersion Program at the Temple of the Way of Light. The reviews for this place were incredible across the board. It almost felt overhyped…So I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t cynical of the incredible feedback the facility had received throughout the years in these reviews, but this cynicism was completely washed away upon my arrival. Throughout my time at The Temple, I felt safe, held and forever attended to. All of my questions/concerns/fears were immediately addressed by the facilitators, who were incredibly insightful (almost to a spooky level in that they seemed to know more about me than I knew of myself). THE FOOD WAS INSANE TOO!!! The cooks at the Temple made healthy, nutritious meals that had me drooling at the mouth for each meal. The Maestros that we worked with during ceremony were so full of compassion and unconditional love for us that it was difficult to leave them. The Temple exceeded in their service on all fronts…And then some! Thank you Temple for providing me with an experience that I will be sure to remember for the rest of my life, and for an introduction to lifelong friends that were made along the way. x
Peter
April 29, 2018 at 2:54 pmJust Completed my third 12 day retreat at the Temple of the way of light. The food is great and the facilitators and Maestros are loving and attentive. The Temple exemplifies the saying that the medicine is not just in the cup. I will be returning as soon as possible hopefully to do a 3 week retreat. For me anyway, if trust and safety is a concern, this is the place to go.
deinstein
April 13, 2018 at 1:36 pmI was really impressed with the approach of Temple of the Way of Light. I went on a retreat there with my wife, who really started as the one interested in this medicine. I came away very impressed. The facilities were clean and well taken care of, and the food was excellent (especially considering the limitations of the ayahuasca diet). There were, however, two areas where the Temple was really above and beyond.
The first area was the staff. The Maestros really radiated caring, and you could feel the way that they were weaving a tapestry during each ceremony. The westerners who were supporting them were also outstanding. Through the ceremonies and between ceremonies, they were there to emotionally support us with whatever came up. They were kind and skilled as well. There were also some very kind helpers who helped us physically move around during the ceremonies. I could not speak to them because of the language barrier, but they were always right there when you needed them, and they radiated strength and kindness (which is often key at a time like that).
The second area is the way Temple integrates the Shipibo people who run the ceremony. The Maestros/Maestras really run the ceremonies and are included on every level of the planning. What probably impressed me most was that Temple understands that for this relationship not to be exploitative, there needs to be political engagement. The Temple is strongly engaged in advocating politically for the native people of the Peruvian rainforest.
Thank you for an amazing experience.
Julio H
April 9, 2018 at 9:16 pmI had the great pleasure of attending the 9-day Integration Intensive retreat at the Temple in April 2017. I can safely say it was the most profoundly transformative experience of my life.
The Temple facilities and expansive grounds, though relatively rustic, are absolutely beautiful and imbued with the kind of jungle magic one might expect from a healing oasis in the middle of the wild Amazon rainforest. The skillful facilitators and highly-respected and vetted maestras/maestros work with such immense amounts of love and deep respect for the medicine, as well as their role as healers….I felt very protected while in their care. I learned as much from the ceremonies as I did from the informal+insightful discussion amongst my fellow travellers and group processing sessions during the day. The medicine is beautiful and obviously prepared with a lot of love (as is the food!).
I believe that although the Temple isn’t perfect (no retreat centre is) it definitely sets the gold standard and is the bar against which all other centres should be measured. I highly recommend this magical place for all those prepared to examine their shadow with loving curiosity and begin the deep dive into the self. I am forever grateful for the healing and path-opening I experienced here and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Irake, Templo de la Luz!
Veramae
April 5, 2018 at 6:01 amI recently completed a 12 day retreat at theTemple of the Way of Light and had a great experience. The ayahuasca was not entirely what/how I had expected, but this was more because of my expectations than any fault of the Temple or staff. On the contrary, they repeatedly told us that the medicine can have very different effects on different people and at different times and that this is ok. I found the location and amenities beautiful, the facilitators excellent and the Maestras and Maestros incredible. While I am still processing the totality and impact of my experience, i cannot but commend the Temple on a well run programme with attention to every detail, both physical (good food, regular plant baths and plant medicine to make us more amenable to the Ayhuasca medicine) and mental (strong facilitation and regular check ups on how participants were doing). I had selected the Temple because I was intrigued by the idea of working with female healers and, as a novice in this area, I wanted a safe space. I was impressed on both accounts. Our group was lucky enough to have six healers working together to create and amazing energy in the room by their joint Icaros – I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of trying.