Come home to yourself.
Two-night weekend ceremonies held in prayer at our church near Dallas, Texas, rooted in the ancestral traditions of the Shipibo-Conibo people.
The Divine is not far away. It lives within you.
AyaWaken is a 501(c)(3) church rooted in prayer, reverence for creation, and the ancestral traditions of the Shipibo-Conibo people of the Peruvian Amazon. Within our religious observances, ayahuasca is received as a sacred sacrament, never as entertainment or recreation.
We hold space for one purpose: to help you see yourself clearly, renew your spirit, and remember your connection to the Divine, to the Earth, and to one another.
A weekend held with care, from arrival to integration.
Our gatherings are two-night weekends near Dallas, held on Friday and Saturday evenings in prayer and the Shipibo tradition. The days between are given to rest, reflection, community, and preparation.
Every weekend is held in a clean, peaceful, well-ordered space, built for silence and reverence rather than chaos, so you can turn inward and meet your own experience honestly.
Your path to ceremony
Four honest steps. No pressure at any of them.
Begin your intake
Complete our intake application. Every participant is carefully screened before attending. We review medical history, medications, mental health history, and personal circumstances to make sure ceremony is appropriate for you.
Speak with us
On a free discovery call, ask anything, share where you are in life, and hear how our ceremonies are held. There is no pressure and no obligation.
Prepare with guidance
Once accepted, you receive clear preparation guidance: dietary guidelines, what to bring, what to expect, and the weekend schedule. You will never arrive unprepared.
Your ceremony weekend
Join us near Dallas for two nights of prayer, sacred ceremony, rest, and reflection, followed by integration support to help you carry the experience into daily life.
Honored with humility, carried from the Amazon.
For nearly four years, Mark Lorello Jr. has studied under Maestro Gaspar Rengifo (Shipibo name Xawn Sany), learning through ceremony, traditional plant dietas, prayer, and direct mentorship. This past year he also began studying under Maestro Domer Hoyos (Saken Sina), a respected Shipibo elder with decades of traditional knowledge.
We believe learning never ends. We return to Peru, we keep studying, and we honor these traditions with humility, integrity, and respect.
Held by people who walk this path
The team who hold your weekend near Dallas, and the Shipibo Maestros whose tradition guides everything we do.
Mark Lorello Jr
Founder and lead facilitator. For nearly four years Mark has studied under the Maestros in the Shipibo tradition, and leads every ceremony in prayer.
Chloe
Co-facilitator. Chloe helps hold the space with care, from your first call through the close of your ceremony weekend.
Maria Lopez
Integration Specialist. Maria supports the reflection and integration that follow ceremony, helping you carry the experience into daily life.
Guided by our Shipibo Maestros
Respected elders of the Shipibo-Conibo people of the Peruvian Amazon, under whom this ministry studies in Peru and in ceremony.
Maestro Gaspar Rengifo
Shipibo name Xawn Sany. Mark's teacher of nearly four years, guiding his study through ceremony, traditional plant dietas, and prayer.
Maestro Domer Hoyos
Shipibo name Saken Sina. A respected Shipibo elder with decades of traditional knowledge, under whom the ministry now studies.
What your weekend holds
A sense of what to expect - the space we prepare, the tradition we carry, and the care held around you.
We are not here to build followers. We are here to help you walk your own path.The AyaWaken ministry
5.0 from 58 Google reviews
An incredible experience, truly hard to put into words. I have attended two ceremonies, and both taught me something meaningful about myself. My connection with God has grown so much.Joanna H. · Google review
AyaWaken Church has truly changed my life. Mark and Chloe have created a safe, welcoming space for growth, self-discovery, and connection. Their genuine care is evident in everything they do.Brandon P. · Google review
A truly special place led by two amazing people. I have had the pleasure of sitting in 14 ceremonies with them, and they are extremely welcoming to everyone on a beautiful property.James G. · Google review
Upcoming ceremony weekends, 2026
Groups are kept small so every participant receives individual attention. Applications are reviewed and confirmed in order.
| Location | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas, Texas | August 7-8 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | September 18-19 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | October 2-3 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | October 16-17 | Accepting applications |
| Seattle, Washington | October 23-24 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | November 6-7 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | November 20-21 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | December 4-5 | Accepting applications |
| Dallas, Texas | December 18-19 | Accepting applications |
New dates open through the year. If a weekend fills, begin your intake anyway and we will let you know when the next opens.
Common questions
What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is the term we use for a traditional Amazonian ceremony rooted in the ancestral practices of the Shipibo-Conibo people of Peru. Within our religious observances it is received as a sacred sacrament, a part of prayer and ceremony held only within the ceremonies of our church, with screening, preparation, and reverence.
Is AyaWaken really a church?
Yes. AyaWaken is Ayawaken, Inc., a 501(c)(3) church and registered Texas nonprofit, with bylaws, a ministry structure, and a congregation. Our ceremonies are religious observances rooted in prayer and the Shipibo-Conibo traditions of the Peruvian Amazon.
Is ceremony safe? How do you screen participants?
Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Every participant completes a detailed intake application before attending. We carefully review medical history, current medications, mental health history, and personal circumstances, and if ceremony is not appropriate for someone, we say so honestly.
What happens during a ceremony weekend?
Our gatherings are two-night weekends near Dallas, Texas. Ceremony is held on Friday and Saturday evenings, in prayer and the Shipibo tradition. The days are given to rest, reflection, community, and preparation, and the weekend closes with integration guidance.
How do I reserve my place?
Begin with the intake application. It takes about fifteen minutes. We review every application carefully, then invite you to a free discovery call to talk, answer your questions, and confirm your weekend. Spaces are limited and confirmed in order of completed applications.
Anything else on your mind? Call us on (940) 977-4795 - a real conversation, no pressure.
When you are ready, we are here.
Begin with the intake application, or talk with us first on a free discovery call. There is no pressure, only an open door.