Retreats

A short list,
not a directory.

One centre has been through this process so far — Arkana Spiritual Center. We list what we have checked. A retreat can never buy its way on — and payment never changes what we write.

First Whatever you choose, read the medication and health warnings — especially if you take antidepressants.

The standard

Every listing carries the date it was last checked — a standard is only as good as the day it was last applied. We re-check every six months. Criteria last reviewed: 2026-07-20.

Twelve criteria

01  Truthful representation of Shipibo involvement
02  Named teachers and onanyabo — healers
03  Clear, verifiable community relationships
04  Medical screening before acceptance
05  Emergency procedures and access to care
06  Explicit sexual-boundary policies
07  Genuine informed consent
08  Guest limits appropriate to staffing
09  Transparent pricing
10  Fair compensation of Shipibo staff
11  Independent participant feedback
12  A working grievance procedure
Disclosure. Where we have a referral arrangement, it is stated inside the listing, including its form. Listings are removable at our discretion regardless of payment; independent participant feedback outweighs everything a retreat tells us about itself.
Listings

First reviews in progress

Each review names the teachers, describes the community relationship, and reports what we verified ourselves versus what we were told.

Notify me when they're live

Opens your email. We answer everything.

How this list is paid for

It is not. No centre pays to be listed here, and payment never changes what we write. Some centres do buy our preparation programme for their guests — those are named on the supporters page, which is a commercial relationship and says so. The two lists are kept apart on purpose.

Written by The Community Garden · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Sources are cited on the page · See something wrong? Correct us