|
comfortable
double occupancy lodging with electricity in rooms*
|
local
land
and water transportation
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|
excellent
organic dieta meals
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highly
skilled transcultural facilitation
|
|
wi fi
wireless internet access for personal communications
|
shamanic
tuition, instruction, and lab materials
|
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sacred
mapacho tobacco orientational ceremony
|
personal
shamanic diagnoses and consultations*
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Ayahuasca
cleansing and healing ceremonies*
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sensitive
aid and assistance during the ceremonies
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|
healing
and sealing shamanic flower baths after each ceremony
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facilitated
group sharing circles the day after each ceremony
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|
Bobinsana
heart-opening ceremony
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guided
river and rainforest explorations
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*single lodging is
usually available at no added cost
The
heart and soul of Ayahuasca SpiritQuest is the opportunity
to seriously engage the legendary holistic spirit medicine of the Amazon
called Ayahuasca, ,
conducted by the renowned
maestro
banco ayahuasquero, Don Rober Acho Jarama, an extraordinary vegetalista
curandero of the Lamista lineage.
Don
Rober is ably assisted by his wife Dona Eliana Acho and Don
Howard Lawler, also curanderos of decades' experience in the sacred
plant technology of holistic healing and higher consciousness. Together
they form a cofraternity of elder maestros with over a century of combined
shamanic experience and characterized by warm hearts, professional
competence, and impeccable integrity.
Don
Rober is an extraordinarily gifted healer, characterized by his unbridled
devotion to the ancient jungle healing arts, a deep knowledge of traditional
plant medicine, and a sense of service to humanity through his connection
with the healing spirits of the Earth, Water and Heavens. He radiates
positive healing energy and uncomplicated wisdom which communicates directly
to the heart and soul of everyone who knows him.
Don
Rober ws initiated in Ayahuasca as a young boy of 11 years old and has
continued his commitment to the art of Ayahuasca curanderismo for over
43 years.
The
harmony and positive healing energy inherent in our work is extraordinary
and felt by everyone present. You will have opportunities for private consultation
and personalized healing work in addition to group ceremonies and integrative
activities.
Three,
four, or five nocturnal ayahuasca healing ceremonies are conducted in the
course of the 7-day, 8-day, and 10-day Ayahuasca SpiritQuest retreats,
respectively.
Here
is our monthly Calendar
of Events.
In the presence of ayahuasca for "Medicine Power" and chacruna for
"Light",
we convene in ceremony with don Rober, don Howard, and invited spirits
presiding. A lovely blend of icaros,
the curandero's spirit healing chants and songs, will guide our journey
as we venture beyond the ordinary together.
The morning after each ceremony, you will be awakened and refreshed by
an invigorating fragrant flower bath administered by Don Rober and his
wife Eliana in the classic shamanic style with tobacco blessing and personal
icaro.
We'll be inspired and stimulated by group 'talking stick' discussions the
days after our ceremonies, sharing our intentions, experiences, visions,
and impressions from preceding evenings. We'll lend shamanic interpretation
to your recollections, which will grow clearer as you progress through
the initiation, cleansing, healing and integrative processes. .
Stimulating and cleansing hot steam jungle saunas "saumedas" using
aromatic jungle plants may be administered as treatment for certain conditions
as prescribed by the curanderos.
We will visit with our Yahua
and Bora indigenous neighbors,
sharing traditional dance and trading for their beautiful handicraft made
entirely from natural rainforest resources. These people still live a traditional
lifestyle although change is rapidly encroaching. You will find their friendly
charm unforgettable.
We'll travel down the great Amazon River to visit with our indigenous
Muruy
Huitoto friends. We'll walk through their beautiful "terra
firme" old-growth rainforest to the invigorating waters of the "quebrada
encantada" ("enchanted stream") where, during the low water months
from August to December, we will enjoy a refreshing natural waterfall 'jacuzzi'
and healing medicinal clay baths.
In the Peruvian Amazon, ancient mystical relationships with nature still
thrive among those dedicated to the Ayahuasca culture. The SpiritQuest
Natural Reserve is a prime area of old-growth rainforest where you will
experience a rich diversity of plant and animal life. True shamans
are not only teachers and healers but also perennial seekers of natural
and ancient knowledge and guardians of the natural treasures of the earth.
If time permits we'll pass through old Puerto
Belén (Port of Bethlehem) on the Río Itaya.
Typical
residential homes in Puerto Belén are elevated on stilts or floating
on balsa logs during the high water season.
Transportation, guidance, and language interpretation are provided for
all group activities and personal consultations.
Accommodations
The
SpiritQuest
Shamanic Sanctuary is the finest shamanic ceremonial retreat center
in the Peruvian Amazon, surrounded by rich old-growth rainforest along
the Río Momón. Here you will be immersed in the genuine
cultural lifestyle of the Peruvian Amazon. You'll quickly feel at
home here like a member of our family.
Our
facilities offer a superbly immersive natural ambience, amazing local natural
and cultural diversity, friendly and competent staff, and outstanding organic
food prepared in a wholesome and sanitary manner by excellent Amazonian
chefs.
You
will sleep confortably and well in spacious double-occupancy residential
quarters (single occupancy is standard with groups of 15 or fewer people),
screened for good ventilation and protection from mosquitoes.
Guest
quarters have private tiled bathrooms with flushing toilet and sink, and
solar/generator electricity for lighting and charging devices.
Free
Wi Fi internet access is available for those who bring their laptops.
Central
shower facilities (some are solar heated) are conveniently located
near the guest quarters.
You'll
rest well here, basking in serene tranquility by day and in unforgettable
jungle symphony and shamanic icaro concert by night.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily and you can eat all you want.
The meal preceding each ceremony is light and easily digested. Food
is washed and prepared using bottled purified drinking water to prevent
food-related illness.
Vegetarian
diets are deliciously accommodated. Please advise us in advance of
your special diet needs and we'll do our best to find the foods you prefer,
subject to availability. Fresh fruit and fruit drinks (refrescos),
and other organic snacks are available between meals.
Vegetable staples include yuca (aka manioc; cassava), chonta
(heart of palm), platanos (plaintains), quinoa, rice, and a variety
of vegetables and fruits, some of which are unfamiliar outside the Amazon.
Grilled fish wrapped in leaf (patarashka) is the main protein staple
served daily during the retreat. Among the tasty native fishes served are
paiche,
an enormous ancient fish relished in the region, and
tucunaré,
the peacock bass (actually a cichlid).
NOTE:
Only smaller and bonier fishes such as boca chica and
palometa
are consumed in the strict vegetalista diet. The choice is
yours.
Though
the more liberal diet is not as rigid and rigorous as that required of
shamanic apprentices, it meets the requirements for safe and successful
work with Ayahuasca to optimize the processes of purification, healing,
and personal transformation.
We
encourage you to follow the more strict diet if you can. The Amazonian
vegetalista
diet is not a vegetarian diet per se since fish is included.
Of course, the vegetarian can pass on the fish. Specific
content of the vegetalista diet varies throughout the Amazon depending
on the maestro and purpose of the diet.
The Vegetalista
Diet
Dietary
preparation
is required before, during, and after partaking of Ayahuasca. Consumption
of salt, refined sugar, saturated oils, fat, and spices should be reduced
or avoided entirely at leastthree days before the first ceremony and continuing
through the final ceremony. Additional short-term dietary restrictions
are suggested as an added safety measure to avoid potential complications
from temporary
monoamine
oxidase inhibition.
Be
sure to read SpiritQuest
preparations
for the Ayahuasca experience.
See
Medical
precautions and warnings regarding monoamine oxidase inhibitor for
more important information.
Abstinence
from pork is recommended for two weeks surrounding work with Ayahuasca.
Abstinence from sexual orgasm is prescribed for three days prior and after
work with Ayahuasca. Many people find their libido and sexual energy pleasantly
enhanced upon breaking this aspect of the diet.
The
strict
vegetalista diet is very bland with no salt, sugar, oil,
or spices, consisting chiefly of certain types of small grilled or boiled
fish, yuca (manioc), plantains. and heart of palm. Initiates are
instructed not to bathe with soap or shampoo or brush their teeth during
the diet. Isolation and sexual segregation is also prescribed.
This
diet is difficult to keep for an extended period of time even by the native
people here, and initial diets of 7, 10 and 14 days are common starting
points. Some elder maestros claim to have kept strictly to this diet
for three years or more!
The
more varied diet is typically observed by local people who partake of Ayahuasca
from time to time. The strict diet is undertaken at specific times
for specific purposes and no one, not even the shamans, keeps to it all
the time.
NOT INCLUDED:
airfare,
bottled drinks (abstinence from alcohol is required during all our
work), restaurant meals in Iquitos, personal item , traveler's insurance
(recommended but not required), personal services such as laundry, tips
and honoraria. Airport tax (US$5 domestic and $29 international airport
departure tax) is not included in the airfare and must be paid in cash
at the airport before departure.
Tips
and honoraria for local Peruvian staff and faculty are appropriate
based on your personal means and satisfaction with their services.
Ayahuasca
SpiritQuest Listening to the Plants shamanic healing retreats of
8 days/nights
with four Ayahuasca ceremonies convene in
March,
April, May, and November, 2010
Ayahuasca
SpiritQuest Listening to the Plants shamanic healing retreats
of 7 days/nights
duration with three Ayahuasca ceremonies convene in
February,
September, and October, 2010 and 2011
Ayahuasca
Odyssey shamanic revival celebrations of holistic healing and universal
consciousness
of 10 days
duration with five Ayahuasca ceremonies
convene in
June, August, and December-January, 2010 and 2011
Ancient
Shamanic Knowledge Huachuma Serpent Mesa initiations of the Three Worlds
follow Ayahuasca
SpiritQuest retreats
in February,
March, August, October, and November, 2010 and 2011
| Click
on the candle for testimonials and comments about SpiritQuest
from past participants... |
|
Things
to Bring
Preparations,
equipment, and personal items
Choque
Chinchay Journeys
Mission
Statement
Our
mission
... to enhance, nurture, and preserve the unique cultural,
spiritual
and ecological treasures of Mother Perú.
Ayahuasca
SpiritQuest
Listening
to the Plants
Calendar
of Events
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rights reserved, © Choque Chinchay Journeys, 1996-2012
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