• Source: International School of Temple Arts

      • The International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) is an organization which describes itself as promoting sexual healing and healthy attitudes towards sex. ISTA claims its workshops participants in the spiritual aspects of sex.

      ISTA was founded in 2007 by Baba Dez Nichols in Arizona, as an international non-profit organization.
      ISTA teachings are influenced by Neotantra and western interpretations of shamanism.
      Nudity and other practices believed to occur at ISTA have caused controversy and opposition to establishment of ISTA seminars at some locations. The week-long workshops held by ISTA are not welcomed by many of those who are uncomfortable with counterculture and New Age practices.


      Controversy


      Journalist Anke Richter stated to the Byron Shire Echo that "There was a covert harem culture at ISTA. Male pioneers surrounded themselves with young female lovers, often from their trainings, who were then accelerated to apprentices and facilitators". Some senior members of the organisation have been accused of performing sex acts on meeting participants without consent or pressuring them to consent to sex acts. One woman said that she had been raped by a teacher after he drugged her with MDMA. In 2021 the organisation said that they had implemented a policy of not allowing Temple Training teachers to have sex with participants.


      = ISTA's Response to Controversy

      =
      In November 2024, ISTA issued a public response addressing several controversies related to its activities. These included claims and reports featured in European and New Zealand media outlets, allegations that ISTA operates as a cult, and a declaration made by the Israeli Center for Cult Victims regarding the organization. The response also addressed public support for this declaration by Steven Hassan, a recognized expert on cult dynamics. Additionally, ISTA responded to allegations of harassment by critics targeting its venues, staff, and participants, as well as accusations concerning ceremonial animal sacrifice rituals and Satanism at its trainings. Finally, the organization clarified its involvement in the planned "Shamanic Love Camp", an event proposed to take place at Auschwitz concentration camp, which ultimately did not come to fruition.


      See also


      OneTaste
      Neotantra
      Neoshamanism
      Ritual sacrifice
      Cult
      Sexual misconduct


      References




      External links


      Official website
      International School of Temple Arts on LinkedIn
      ISTA YouTube channel

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