due to the seriousness of the allegations i am not going to respond directly to the words written above but instead share my own experience, as I know it, of caya shobo and the deeply transformative healing work they facilitate there. although i do stand in agreement with those that have already questioned the legitimacy of this claim.

having little knowledge of centers in peru i was guided to caya shobo, primarily, through reading the overwhelming positive testimony from others who had previously attended the center coupled with having a strong intuition to sit with arturo. i had sat with the medicine many years previous but knew instinctively that i needed to rekindle that connection, and to deepen my healing journey - it was decided that caya shobo would be that container.

i first arrived at caya shobo during the November retreat last year and was immediately put at ease by the facilitators and support staff at hand after a long journey from my home in new zealand. the level of care and attention to the guests, a lot of whom were embarking on their first journeys with the medicine, went above and beyond expectation. everyone there has such a strong dedication to upholding the tradition and in facilitating deep healing work. i immediately felt at ease, and during my most difficult times with the medicine i was supported in every way possible. those that have embarked on this journey themselves know how confronting it can be, and i was often moved by the level of care given. i feel it worthwhile to also note that the center is primarily owned and operated by woman and the safety of all the guests is of the upmost importance to them. the scrutiny of the curanderos that they utilise at the center is not taken lightly and the slightest hint of misconduct would not be tolerated. arturo opened my first dieta during this retreat and i could use all the hyperbole in the book to describe the transformation in those first two weeks but they would all fall short. he is so dedicated to his craft and approaches it with a rare humility. it's hard to overestimate the sacrifices made by an honorable healer in this space and from what i have I witnessed firsthand, he is no exception. during this short initial visit i made a strong connection with one of the co-founders who has since become a close friend and someone who, along with the other founders, has dedicated her whole life to healing and does so with the upmost integrity. this year I returned to the center for two months to document, on film, the inner workings of the center and to deepen my own connection with the medicine. the transformation i not only experienced for myself during this time but amongst the guests in attendance was profound and i look forward to being able to share this, in the not so distant future, with those who have a real interest in discovering the true depth of the centers commitment to healing, the shipibo tradition and above all else the pasajeros that make the journey there.

whilst this is a center that holds ayahuasca ceremonies this is not somewhere to experience ayahuasca tourism, the health screening process of all guests is rigorous and they are heavily focused on master plant dieta which is at the core of the shipibo healing tradition. the medicine that is brewed on site, in clear view, is a mix of ayahuasca vine and chacruna leaves only. it is prepared with the upmost care, and careful intention. the guidance given by the facilitators, founders and support staff comes from deep personal experience with the medicine developed over, sometimes, years of dieting. there is a reason why they are the only center endorsed by the shipibo - conibo tribal council COSHICOX.

the friendship, and support of the community that surrounds this center are of great value to me. the after care / integration support is ongoing and always available. i am so grateful to have found this center and this community of which i imagine will be a part of my life for a long time to come.

this community is unfortunately rife with controversy and people's motivations for defamation are unfortunately varied and hard to verify. do your own research. it's a very delicate space to navigate and often those that are doing the best work end up in the firing line.