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Ayahuasca Conference at Willka T’ika June 3 – 9, 2012

Hi, this is going out to people in the ayahuasca community who may be interested in this upcoming workshop at Willka T’ika in the Urubamba Valley of Peru. It is a beautiful retreat center located in the Sacred Valley within a day’s travel of Machu Picchu, Pisac and other Inca sites.  The retreat will include three ceremonies facilitated by Wayra, a young Quechua ayahuasquero who is well respected in the community.  I will be providing ‘entertainment’ on the off-days, making some presentations on the usual topics.

See this link for details:http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs025/1101625843830/archive/1109215742644.html

Here is another link to the Willka T’ika main web site:http://www.willkatika.com/

Please join us if you can!  This year is the 100th anniversary of the ‘discovery’ of Machu PIcchu by Hiram Bingham.  Rumor has it that the site may be close indefinitely while they figure out how to keep it from being destroyed by too many tourists. So this year may be the last chance to see this amazing site for a while.

Please pass this along to friends who may be interested, and respond directly to info@willkatika.com

See you in June, perhaps!

Dennis McKenna

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"I have a long-standing interest in natural products, and in the potential for plant-derived medicines leading to the discovery of new modalities in health and healing. The integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective that characterize the Center make it the ideal venue in which to pursue research and education in the area of botanical medicines and natural products." Dr. McKenna brings more than 25 years experience in biosciences, biochemistry and pharmacognosy to the Center for Spirituality and Healing, where he is a senior lecturer on topics that include ethnopharmacology and botanical medicines in health care. Dr. McKenna earned his Master's degree in botany at the University of Hawaii in 1979 and his doctorate of botanical sciences at the University of British Columbia in 1984. Since that time, his wide-ranging experience includes serving as the Director of Ethnopharmacology at Shaman Pharmaceuticals and as senior research pharmacognosist for Aveda Corporation in Minneapolis, Minn. He is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Natural Products Research and editor-in-chief of two publications: The Natural Dietary Supplements Pocket Reference (INPR, 2002) and Botanical Medicines: The Desk Reference for Major Herbal Supplements (Haworth Herbal Press, 2002). He serves on the Advisory Board of the American Botanical Council and the Editorial Board of Phytomedicine, the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology. he is the author or co-author of more than 35 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. McKenna has special interest Ethnopharmacology, botanical medicines, natural products and drug discovery and medical applications of psychedelic agents.

6 Comments

  1. john says

    Hi Dennis, I was hoping you might give me the scoop or some advice regarding visiting retreats in Peru. I would like to participate I’m a traditional ayhauasca ceremony. It seems that iquitos is the place where many centers are located. I have looked into 3 places. El mundo magico, el morpho, and spirit quest. I don’t really know what to look fo and would appreciate any direction you could give me. Thanks

  2. Dennis says

    Hi John,
    There’s lots of tourist ayahuasca scenes in Iquitos, and getting to an authentic one is sometimes a challenge. Of those that you mention, I’ve heard the best reports about Spirit Quest. I know Howard Lawler and I think he’s trying to do it right. I have also heard good things about El Mundo magic but have no personal experience. Blue Morpho is quite commercial, definitely a tourist thing and I wouldn’t recommend it.
    Hope this helps.

  3. Hola Dennis, my husband, Tom, and I are planning our first trip to Peru this year and want to attend a 2 or 3-week authentic ayahuasca healing retreat. We’ve seen several on the Internet but would like your recommendation for the best in Peru. We’ve been looking at the Ayahuadca Foundation site but see several others. Who, in your opinion, is the best in Peru for ayahuasca?

    Thanks,

    • Dennis McKenna says

      Hi Jackie and Tom
      Well I don’t know if your schedule works, but the event at Willka T’ika that I’m participating in June 3-10th is going to be pretty special, I think. And not just because I will be there!
      If that doesn’t work for you, see my comment below. I would recommend Howard Lawler’s Spirit Quest. See my comment below.

  4. I always was interested in this subject further inert am, value it for putting up.

  5. Tinealle says

    Hi Dennis,

    I am currently in Cusco and am headed to Willka Tika today actually, to attend a retreat and ceremonies with Wayra. I was just wondering whether you could please give me prices etc for the June conference. I am interested in returning then.

    Thanks! Tinealle

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