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Sacred Science: A Conversation about Research and Spirituality
In this deep and revealing conversation, Jacques Mabit, founding president of the Takiwasi Center, and Matteo Politi, research and development manager, explore the intersections between science, spirituality, and traditional Amazonian medicine.
What does it mean to make research on traditional Amazonian medicine from a scientific perspective? Is Western academia disconnecting from its own cultural and spiritual roots?
Throughout this dialogue, the challenges and opportunities faced by academia when approaching traditional medicines are addressed, where spirituality and contact with the "world-other" are fundamental elements. This exchange suggests that tradition, science, and spirituality do not have to be in opposition; on the contrary, they can be integrated to offer a deeper and more holistic understanding of the human being and their environment.
Recognizing the wisdom of traditional medicines and exploring how to articulate it with Western scientific knowledge not only allows for building a genuine bridge between both worlds, but also opens the possibility of an enriching exchange in both directions. This involves going beyond the mere extraction of useful data for academic science; it means giving back to indigenous communities the knowledge that has been recovered and validated, thus fostering mutual and respectful learning.
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Testimonial on drug addiction treatment
"I am an example to my children, my family, and my people. Anything is possible if you want to change".
Takiwasi's innovative treatment protocol allows people not only to overcome substance addiction, but also to discover or reaffirm their calling, as in the case of Opi Nenquimo, leader of the Waorani people of Ecuador. This testimonial demonstrates the healing power of medicinal plants, which must be accompanied by strong willpower to achieve profound change in life. English Subtitles Available.
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Testimonial from a participant in our retreats/diets
In this testimonial, Matías shares his transformative experience after completing his third retreat/diet at the Takiwasi Center.
From his first master plant diet, undertaken to heal depression and certain toxic behaviors, to the clarity and balance he has achieved today, he tells us how master plants, isolation in the jungle, and therapeutic accompaniment have helped him regenerate psychologically and emotionally while also developing his spiritual side. English Subtitles Available.
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Healing Veterans and First Responders: Diving into Takiwasi's Integrative Approach
In this insightful conversation (in Spanish with English subtitles), psychotherapist and researcher Annalisa Valeri interviews Arnaud Montagne, facilitator specialized in working with veterans and first responders at the Takiwasi Center in Peru. Arnaud discusses the center's innovative project, which combines traditional Amazonian plant medicine with psychological support to address trauma, emotional suppression, and the challenges faced by veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
The interview explores the importance of intention, the integration of individual and group therapy, and the transformative power of forgiveness in healing deep-seated wounds. This conversation offers a glimpse into the impactful work being done to assist veterans and first responders in reclaiming their lives and building healthier futures.
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Characteristics of the New Age movement, Christianity and Gnosis
In response to the frequent questions received about whether a particular group, movement, course, church, etc., is compatible with Christianity, or whether it is suitable even if it is not Christian or if it claims to be, Dr. Jacques Mabit has written this brief summary article on the characteristics of the New Age movement.
There are a multitude of groups with thousands of offshoots, but at their core, there are invariants that can serve as a "lie detector." This text is an excerpt from a larger article that attempts to identify the demonic sources of the main founders of these movements (the best known because there are thousands of them) and to compare their discourse with what is known about their real lives.
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Webinar: Effectiveness of the Takiwasi Therapeutic Model in the Treatment of Addictions
Our research team's new talk, entitled "Effectiveness of the Takiwasi Therapeutic Model in the Treatment of Addictions", will be broadcast in Spanish on our Facebook Live on Tuesday, April 22nd at 11:00 am (Peru time), with the participation of our executive director Jaime Torres.
Our clinical experience of more than 30 years indicates that the interaction between traditional Amazonian medicine, psychotherapy, and spirituality proposed in the Takiwasi therapeutic model is highly successful in the treatment of substance abuse disorder and other mental health disorders. Over time, the need for scientific validation of the data collected at our center has led us to participate in a growing number of research projects in collaboration with world-class academic institutions.
Several studies conducted at Takiwasi in recent years by external researchers have demonstrated significant improvements during and after treatment for a wide range of factors examined, including addiction severity, physical health, emotional health, depression, anxiety, cravings, and spiritual well-being, thus confirming the effectiveness of our treatment model.
For those unable to attend, we are also sharing the video of last month's research talk: "Long-Term Effects of Master Plant Diets", published in Spanish on our YouTube channel.
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Indigenous Support Center for Abandoned and Orphaned Children – CIANAH
The Indigenous Support Center for Abandoned and Orphaned Children (CIANAH) is an NGO committed to providing comprehensive support to indigenous children and adolescents from the Awajún and Wampis ethnic groups. Its primary mission is to ensure access to essential basic services such as health, education, food, and clothing, while promoting a safe and nurturing environment for their development.
This project has been initiated by José Petsa, an Awajún indigenous leader dedicated to the well-being of the most disadvantaged children in the community of Yutupis and other remote native communities located in the Río Santiago District, Amazonas Department, Peru. If you'd like to learn more about CIANAH and its partnership with Takiwasi, you can visit our website at the following link.
In 2025, CIANAH supports 20 schoolchildren, aged between 12 and 18 years old. Currently, the institution urgently needs support to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, and toiletries. If you'd like to join CIANAH's mission, you can make a small donation using a credit/debit card or PayPal using the buttons below.
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2025 Retreats/Diets
Here is the calendar of our next retreats/diets for 2025:
• 12 - 24 May
• 16 - 28 June
• 14 - 26 July
• 18 - 30 August
• 8 - 20 September
• 6 - 18 October
• 3 - 15 November
• 1 - 13 December
For more information and to start the registration process please write to: terapia@takiwasi.com
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Takiwasi Ikaros Catalog
Explore the complete catalog of our ikaros, including the new productions of musicalized ikaros by artists Alejo & Simon.
Ikaros are fundamental elements in Traditional Amazonian Medicine and represent a powerful tool of cultural resistance. Through them, both linguistic elements and knowledge related to the Amazonian worldview and medicinal resources are preserved.
This legacy is what inspired the name of our NGO: “Takiwasi,” which in Quechua means “the house that sings” or “the house of song,” in honor of this valuable tradition.
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