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12 Day Ayahuasca Intensive Healing and Spiritual Development Workshop

Submitted by dguard on
We are pleased to present the next Bená Caia Ainbobo (A New Feminine Spirit) workshop at the Temple of the Way of Light. This 12 day retreat workshop will take place from the 15th to the 26th of May 2009. We offer you the chance to join us on this unique voyage into the world of the plant spirits, guided by at least four onanya ainbobo – the shaman-women of the Shipibo people, many of whom have only previously worked within their communities. All our Onanya are experienced, gentle, caring, and deeply dedicated to healing. We are very privileged to be working with them. We offer a high ratio of healers to participants and a unique chance to develop a close personal bond between you and one of these incredible healers. The workshop will offer an exciting opportunity to learn about the Shipibo people’s ancient knowledge of both the master plants of the jungle, and the deeper dimensions of the ayahuasca experience. We are located around two hours by boat and track from the jungle city of Iquitos in a beautiful jungle setting surrounded by the Amazon rainforest far away from the noise and bustle of the city and even the boats on the river. Retreats at the Temple are open to both male and female participants, and there is an emphasis is on holding genuinely compassionate ceremonies – which can be a refreshing change from the often "macho" world of curanderismo in Peru! We offer a pioneering but ancient path to Mother Ayahuasca by working with the Divine Feminine, and the healers we work with embody the wisdom and sincerity of their people. We firmly believe in the profound benefits of the medicine Ayahuasca and focus our work around three main aspects: 1) A unique focus on work with onanya ainbobo – indigenous women healers working within the rich and complex medical/magical tradition of the Shipibo people. 2) We operate on a not-for-profit basis and are committed to making the healing magic of Ayahuasca and the wisdom of the Shipibo people as accessible to as many people as possible. 3) Holding safe, harmonious and compassionate ceremonies with Ayahuasca, which are in accordance with the traditional use of the plant by the Shipibo people. Ayahuasca ceremonies We provide potent and visionary ayahuasca sourced from deep in the rainforest in the Shipibo territories. The ceremonies led by our curanderas provide the greatest possible comfort, protection and support to participants. We work with various levels of participants and provide personal attention and guidance providing regular consultations with the shamans and group talks about our experiences and the ceremonies. The way we work is very much according to Shipibo tradition, and their encyclopaedic knowledge of medicinal plants and other substances (rao) allows them to heal a huge range of conditions. In the Shipibo tradition, the healing process is very much focussed on cleansing and purifying the energy field which surrounds us, niwe in their language. They do this through an ancient healing process involving incredibly beautiful ikaros, intense perfumes and powerful energetic work. Our workshops provide the conditions and orientation to enable participants to work with Ayahuasca in a comfortable, secure and positive setting – creating a protected, sacred space for everyone heal and grow. Our curanderas are experts in holding ceremonies according to the traditional practices of the Shipibo tribe, and we adhere to these ancient procedures to ensure safe ceremonies. By working closely with you providing a genuinely caring and compassionate approach, we are able to effect positive change in your lives. Ayahuasca is an incredible medicine and our curanderos truly want to make a difference to our participants’ lives. We work to heal all aspects of our participants’ bodies – physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. We are able to help people move away from fear, despair, insecurity, anger, worry and doubt about whatever aspects of their lives that are troubling them to return filled with more hope, belief, passion, love and joy. Workshop Programme Our workshops are developed in close co-operation with the Shipibo healers themselves, as far as possible in accordance with their traditional use of the plant, and will include a number of presentations (in English, or with English translation) on various aspects of their culture, including the five “worlds” (nete), their fascinating mythology, and much more. Some of the highlights of the programme include: • 7 ayahuasca ceremonies over the 12 day workshop • 9 Jain Póiti (Banos de florecimento) - cleansing and strengthening floral baths, a truly invigorating experience! • All food prepared under the strict supervision of the healers, using only the finest locally-produced ingredients. - a very pure yet deliciously simple diet suitable for working with medicinal plants / ayahuasca . • Learn to make your own natural ininti (agua florida) with plants gathered from the jungle. • Explore the jungle and see medicinal plants in their natural environment, with an expert Shipibo guide. • Numerous quimosti (traditional massage therapists) will be available to ease any physical tensions. • Individual consultations with the curanderas to discuss your experiences and healing process. • The chance to meet with the rest of the group and discuss your experiences each day, for those who wish to do so. Projects in the Shipibo communities We are also working closely with a grassroots organisation in Pucallpa which works to protect the Shipibo people and culture and are we concerned by the accelerating loss of traditional knowledge and growing threats to the Shipibos’ ancestral lands along the Rio Ucayali. Dedicated to raising awareness of the social, political and environmental issues which face their people, we are becoming involved in a range of projects aimed at preserving Shipibo traditions – including their unique ethnomedical tradition – and promoting culturally and environmentally sustainable development through education and community work. Cost The cost of this workshop is $900. This cost is all inclusive and includes transport by boat from Iquitos; travel to Peru (and from Lima to Iquitos) is not included. Please contact Matthew Watherston for all enquiries / bookings: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=675402370 or [email protected].
Location

Temple of the Way of Light
Iquitos
Peru

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