Iboga - The Master Teacher
A traditional plant medicine rooted in wisdom and inner clarity
Tabernathe Iboga
The Grandfather medicine
Iboga is a powerful and sacred plant traditionally used by the Bwiti people of Gabon, where it has been honored for generations as a source of wisdom, clarity, and spiritual awakening. Derived from the root bark of the Tabernanthe ibogashrub, this ancestral medicine is known for guiding participants into a deep, introspective journey that reveals truth, insight, and connection.
A Teacher Plant
Iboga is often described as a teacher—one that encourages honest self-reflection and heightened inner awareness. In ceremonial settings, participants are invited to explore themes of emotional understanding, personal truth, ancestral connection, and life purpose. Many experience this process as an inward journey, where the mind becomes deeply reflective and long-held patterns can be seen with new clarity.
The Waking Dream State
The naturally occurring alkaloids in the root bark can create a long-lasting, immersive experience sometimes called a “waking dream.” During this extended state, individuals may revisit memories, explore the layers of their consciousness, and gain fresh perspectives on their path. The energy of iboga is frequently described as grounding, stabilizing, and profoundly honest.
Rooted in Tradition
In its traditional context, iboga is more than a plant—it is a bridge between community, nature, spirit, and self. Ceremonies are guided with intention and care, often supported by music, chanting, and steady facilitation to create a safe and meaningful space for transformation.
A Pathway Inward
As interest in ancestral plant medicines expands around the world, iboga continues to be recognized for its ability to support deep personal insight. While the experience can be intense and is not for everyone, many people are drawn to it for its reputation as a catalyst for authenticity, emotional clarity, and spiritual growth.
At our retreat, we honor iboga with respect for its origins, its traditions, and the profound inner work it invites. Participants are supported throughout the entire process so they can move through their journey with presence, safety, and guidance.
The Bwiti: The Study of Life
Bwiti is known as “the Study of Life,” and its practitioners see themselves as Students of Life, guided by the sacred plant Iboga. The Bwiti people live in Gabon on the west-central coast of Africa—one of the most biodiverse and ecologically protected countries in the world. With over 85% of the nation covered in rainforest, Gabon is often called a modern Garden of Eden, a lush sanctuary where traditional culture continues to thrive.
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While agriculture spread across Africa, the Bwiti remained hunter-gatherers, living in direct relationship with the land. This deep connection to the forest has allowed their ceremonial arts—dance, ritual, and music—to remain intact and vibrant. Their ceremonies are celebrated for their layered rhythms, complex music, and visually stunning movement.
The tradition and teachings
There is no Iboga without the Bwiti and no Bwiti without Iboga.
All authentic Iboga knowledge comes from the Bwiti people, who have spent thousands of years learning from this plant and refining the practices, rituals, and teachings that surround it.
The Bwiti teachings are often described as universal laws—timeless principles about truth, clarity, self-honesty, personal responsibility, and how to live a good life. These teachings are not based on belief systems but on direct experience, observation, and the wisdom passed down through generations.
At the heart of Bwiti philosophy is learning how to:
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See life clearly
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Know yourself deeply
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Release emotional burdens
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Strengthen your connection to nature
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Live with honesty, balance, and purpose
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Cultivate joy, gratitude, and presence
Music plays a central role in these ceremonies. The rhythms and melodies of the village are designed to support the Iboga experience, guiding participants through reflection, insight, and emotional clarity.
Our Respect for the Tradition
We carry a profound respect for the Bwiti tradition, its people, and its lineage.
We honor our teacher, who opened his home and village to us and generously shared Iboga, the Bwiti teachings, their cultural traditions, and their way of life. His guidance has allowed us to understand not only the ceremonies, but also the deeper lessons on how to live well—with truth, simplicity, and connection.
Every aspect of our work is rooted in gratitude for the Bwiti people, their ancestral wisdom, and their willingness to share a tradition that has been preserved for thousands of years.
A Modern Bridge to Ancient Wisdom
In a time when many people struggle with stress, anxiety, confusion, and disconnection, the Bwiti offer teachings centered on balance, clarity, and harmony. Their universal principles continue to resonate in the modern world, providing insight into how to reconnect with oneself, with nature, and with a more meaningful way of living.
