ANNOUNCING
I have launched my new website www.shamanism.cc
It features;
Articles
Photo Galleries
CDs and Track downloads
Info about my Books
Art
Sound Tracks and Videos
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Javier Arevalo - Shaman
The Ayahuasca article with an interview of the shaman Javier Arevalo by Howard G Charing & Peter Cloudsley appeared in ‘Healing Today’ Magazine August 2001. The article was published with its original title and without the girls in bikinis and serenading guitar players!
Javier brewing Ayahuasca
Javier at Mishana
Javier giving me a floral bath
Shamans of Peru, a set on Flickr.
A Photo Gallery of some of the Peruvian Shamans that we have worked with over the years.
Come to Peru!
~In the Spirit & Practice of Amazonian Shamanism~ November 21 – 30, 2011
Nine Nights of Healing ~ Ten Days of Transformation
Opportunity for Five Ayahuasca Ceremonies, Customized Plant Diet, Work with Shipibo Shaman Ricardo Amaringo, Conscious Path Creation with Sita
I am pleased and honored to invite you to join me as I guide a small group of seekers in the Peruvian Amazon for retreat and dieta.
We will work in the traditional ways of the Shipibo, dieting and participating in ritual ceremonies in the beautiful jungle outside of Iquitos, Peru.
You will be able to participate in up to five ceremonies and to travel with us on an optional extension trip to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, in the deep primary forest for an additional ceremony. Together we will explore our outer and inner worlds, challenge our consciousness, share our individual and collective experience, engage in spirited dialogues, listen to lectures, traditional indigenous chants “icaros,” experience transformational process with the Conscious Path and ayahuasca ceremonies in the sensuous, vibrating rainforest of Amazonian Peru.
We will be working with Master Curandero Ricardo Amaringo, Maestra Curandera Olivia Arevalo, Dr. Joe Tafur and Sitaramaya. Activities include, Ayahuasca experiences, mind, body, heart and soul healing, dieta, art, relaxation, use and sharing of knowledge in medical plants, private Conscious Path consultations, private consultations with the Shamans and a local excursions.
Retreat to the Amazon will be an experience where we will create a community for ten days. Not only will we practice the dieta and explore the teachings, use and practices of Ayahuasca and Master Teacher Plants, but we will learn more about non-ordinary states, shamanic practices from around the world and deep ecology. During our time together, we will live together at the retreat center.
Retreat to the Amazon is designed for healing, repose, diet, reflection and inspiration. We seek to teach, inspire, facilitate healing, foster awareness of expanded consciousness and deep ecology, develop new friendships and connect with old friends. For those interested, we will continue on to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve for three more days where we will participate in one more Ayahuasca Ceremony, deep in the primary forest.
I hope to see you there.
– Sita
In gratitude for the opportunity to steward the sharing of this sacred plant medicine,
UPDATED POST MARCH 31st 2012
Announcing an Ayahuasca & Visionary Art Retreat – November 2012. Click on Link below for full information;
https://shamanism.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/ayahuasca-visionary-art-workshop-in-the-amazon/
Cutting from El Comercio - Ayahuasca declared national heritage
EL COMERCIO (LIMA) Sunday July 13th 2008
DECLARATION TO PROTECT THE TRADITIONAL RITUAL USE AND SACRED CHARACTER of AYAHUASCA
Ayahuasca declared a national cultural heritage
This plant is considered an essential part of the identity of the Amazonian peoples of Peru.
The knowledge and traditional uses of Ayahuasca practiced by the Amazonian indigenous communities, was declared a cultural heritage of the nation by the Institute of National Culture (INC). This announcement was made yesterday in the publication of Directorial Resolution 836 by that body, in the official gazette “El Peruan”.
According to the declaration, the ritual use of Ayahuasca is one of the fundamental pillars of the identity of the Amazonian people. It’s ancestral use in traditional rituals, with therapeutic benefits directly related to the qualities of the plants, has guaranteed its cultural continuity.
The provision states that the measure seeks to protect the traditional use and the sanctity of the ritual of Ayahuasca, and to differentiate between this and Western commercial and consumer interests.
The Ayahuasca is a plant species that has an extraordinary cultural history with it’s psychotropic qualities as it is an essential ingredient of a brew in conjunction with the plant known as Chacruna. In the indigenous Amazonian world this plant brew is regarded as wise teacher.
ORIGINAL SPANISH TEXT
El Comercio Domingo 13 de julio del 2008
BUSCAN PROTEGER USO TRADICIONAL Y CARACTER SAGRADO DEL RITUAL
Declaran patrimonio cultural de la nacion a uso de la ayahuasca
Planta es considerada parte essencial de la identidad de los pueblos amazonicos del Peru. Los conocimientos y usos tradicionales de la ayahuasca practicados por las communidades nativas amazonicas fueron declarados patrimonio cultural de la nacion por el Institiuto Nacional de Cultura (INC). Ello se dio a conocer ayer tras la publicacion de La Resolucion Directoral 836 de esa entidad en el diario oficial “El Peruan”.
Segun se consigna en el texto, la practica de sesiones rituales de ayahuasca constituye uno de los pilares fundamentales de la identidad de los pueblos amazonicos. Su ancestral uso en los rituales tradicionales, vinculado a las virtudes terapeutics de la plants, ha garantizado su continuidad cultural.
La disposicion establece que la medida busca proteger el uso tradicional y el caracter sagrado del ritual de ayahuasca, con el fin de differnciaro de los usos occidentales descontextualizados que tienen propositos comerciales y consumistas.
La ayahuasca es una especie vegetal que cuenta con una extraordinaria historia cultrural en virtud sus cualidades psicotropicas, ya que es ingrediente esencial de un brebaje asociado a la planta conocida como chacruna. En el mundo indigena amazonico se la considera una planta sabia o maestra.
The Shipibo people of the Upper Amazon in Peru, have a unique and complex form of visionary art. Underlying the intricate geometric patterns of great complexity displayed in the art of the Shipibo people is a concept of an all pervading magical reality which can challenge the Western linguistic heritage and rational mind.
To view a photo gallery of their beautiful art;
To read an article about the Shipibo:
Ayahuasca Shipibo Shaman, Enrique Lopez talks with our group about Amazonian shamanism, medicinal, and the spiritual properties of plants. Video taken at Eagle’s Wing Ayahuasca Retreatat Mishana in Peru, March 2008.
Visit our website for info on our Ayahuasca and Yoga Retreats in Peru
Ayahuasca Shipibo Shaman, Enrique Lopez talks with our group about Amazonian shamanism, medicinal, and the spiritual properties of plants. Video taken at Eagle’s Wing Ayahuasca Retreat at Mishana in Peru, March 2008.
Visit our website for info on our Ayahuasca and Yoga Retreats in Peru
Shamanism & Visionary Art 