Howard has undertaken lengthy apprenticeships with traditional curanderos (healers) and maestros (masters/teachers) in the Peruvian Amazon and Andes in long-term study of ancient shamanic healing practices and endemic holistic plant medicines.  As a trained ethnobiologist, environmental educator, and life-long shamanic practitioner, Howard dynamically combines his extensive knowledge of ethnobotanical science and traditional New World core shamanism to produce profoundly stimulating opportunities for the serious seeker of genuine shamanic experience. 

Howard has practiced traditional core shamanism for nearly 40 years, and over that time has initiated many hundreds of people in traditional ceremonial plant shamanism.  My shamanic practice is rooted in the ancient art of the Chavín huachuma mesa. The Chavín huachuma mesa is the most sophisticated and advanced sacred plant ceremonial practice known in the Andes and coastal Perú, predating the Inca by over 2,500 years.  The extraordinary Chavín culture, founded over 3,500 years ago, is recognized as the cradle of Andean civilization.  And the genesis of Andean civilization was the Chavin huachuma mesa ceremonies at Chavin de Huantar.
 
The Chavin mesa is among the most profound spiritual practices known to mankind.  Huachuma is a sacred teacher healer plant of the Peruvian Andes and coast.  It has been used as a central sacrament and healing medicine in ancient Peruvian cultures for three millennia.  It is equal to Ayahuasca in it's healing and teaching power and it's benevolent and wise masculine energy is a perfect catalyst for the powerful feminine energy of Ayahuasca.  These may be done independently, or they may be done synergistically in succession, preferably starting first with Ayahuasca.  Both are always properly done in a traditional ritual ceremony guided by a maestro with many years experience with sacred plants and sacred energy. 
 
Don Rober and Howard represent over 80 years of combined experience in the practice of the shamanic healing arts. Unlike many others, they are not newcomers to this work.  They will guide you through the joys and challenges of the spirit plant shamanic path, and the rewarding integration of which follows, amplifying your relationship with nature, cosmos, and all humanity through your deep connection with the profound spiritual essence of ancient Perú.  

Howard's decades of experience, shamanic skills, compassion, and personal integrity provide the perfect transcultural bridge for those seeking a connection with Source. He believes this ancient path offers great benefit to humankind to realize personal healing, renewal and spiritual consciousness much needed in today's world.  His rich knowledge and experience in this field combines with strong sensitivity, human insight, unbridled enthusiasm and dynamic transcultural skills to make your SpiritQuest journeys truly an experience of a lifetime.

Reyna oversees food services and guest comforts at SpiritQuest Shamanic Sanctuary and helps coordinate our staff and community activities with our indigenous neighbors. 

Reyna and Howard are wife and husband and have two children, Howard and Selva Reyna whose name means "Forest Queen."

Reta's rich life-long experience and discipline in spiritual quest brings great insight and skill to the shamanic healing process. When attending in Perú, she facilitates inspiring and transformative spiritual and personal growth activities with our maestro curanderos.

Reta also periodically leads shamanic study groups to the Peruvian Andes for work with her primary Andean teacher don Americo Yabar and Q'ero shamans. She is an accomplished spiritual counselor and practitioner of Peruvian shamanism who will help you realize the greatest blessings possible before, during, and after SpiritQuest. Reta and Howard are sister and brother.