DISCLAIMER:

By using this website or booking services, you acknowledge the understanding and acceptance of the following:

This wellness retreat is organized and hosted by New Life Rising. The retreat package includes accommodations, transportation services, yoga sessions, massages, beach trips, and meals. The pricing provided exclusively covers these specified services and activities. Please be aware that this retreat does not involve the sale or commercial distribution of ayahuasca or any other plant medicine. While the retreat may offer ayahuasca experiences, such offerings are made at the sole discretion of the hosts and are extended to participants as a complimentary gift and as a sincerely held religoius practice. These gifts are not part of the paid services, nor are they for sale as part of this retreat. Participants are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers before engaging in any wellness or plant medicine practices. This disclaimer is intended to clarify the nature of the services provided and to ensure that participants are fully informed about what is included in the retreat package and the voluntary nature of any additional experiences offered.

The information on this website is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be used to diagnose or treat any physical or mental health condition. New Life Rising does not offer medical services, detox programs, addiction treatment, medical evaluations, diagnoses, or any other form of medical procedure. The use of this website does not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. By using this website and engaging with our services, you acknowledge and agree that New Life Rising, its owners, operators, and staff, are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from the use or application of the information provided on this website or your decision to participate in any activities or services mentioned herein. Any acknowledgment or promotion of the beneficial and therapeutic potentials of ayahuasca is in no way a recommendation for its use, as ayahuasca may be contraindicated for certain physical and mental health conditions. Always consult with a qualified and licensed medical professional before making any decisions related to your health.

LEGAL:

New Life Rising is a spiritual community committed to fostering personal transformation, inner growth, and connection with the divine through the reverent use of natural plant medicines. Our practices are rooted in deeply sincere religious beliefs, emphasizing harmony with nature and spiritual awakening. We operate under the protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which safeguard genuine religious exercises from undue governmental interference, requiring any restrictions to serve a vital public interest through the most minimal means possible.

The Role of Ayahuasca in Our Spiritual Path

At New Life Rising, we honor ayahuasca as a sacred gift from the earth, bestowed to aid in profound spiritual journeys and communion with the higher self and God. This plant medicine is integral to our faith and is utilized exclusively in a religious context. It is never offered for casual, medical, or recreation-related reasons. Ceremonies involving ayahuasca occur only in dedicated, private sacred gatherings at designated spiritual sites or sanctioned venues. These ceremonies are for church members who undergo a thorough spiritual assessment and orientation, and only under the guidance of knowledgeable spiritual leaders in full accordance with our core religious tenets.

No Commercial Exchange for Sacrament

Ayahuasca is never bought, sold, or treated as a commodity within our community. It remains a pure offering from nature, provided without any form of payment or barter. Our gatherings are spiritual in essence, not commercial transactions. Any contributions from participants are voluntary and directed solely toward practical needs, such as accommodations and nourishment during retreats, maintenance of our sacred spaces and resources, training for spiritual guides and community support and essential ceremonial tools and educational materials. These donations help sustain our mission, but access to the sacrament itself is never contingent on financial ability. We welcome all who approach with genuine spiritual intent.

Foundations of Our Legal Standing

Our community's religious observances draw strength from established U.S. legal frameworks and court decisions that affirm the right to sincere faith-based practices:

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993:
This landmark legislation protects individuals and organizations from government interference in the exercise of religion. It requires that any federal action burdening religious practice must serve a compelling governmental interest and employ the least restrictive means possible.
Gonzales v. O Centro Espírita Beneficente União do Vegetal (2006):
In this unanimous Supreme Court decision, the Court upheld a religious community’s right to use ayahuasca (referred to as hoasca) as a sacrament, affirming that sincere religious use of entheogens is protected under RFRA.
Church of the Holy Light of the Queen v. Mukasey (2009):
This federal case further validated the religious use of ayahuasca in the United States, recognizing the church’s sincere spiritual practice and granting legal protection for its sacramental ceremonies.
Church of Gaia (Washington, 2023):
In a historic precedent, the Church of Gaia was granted a DEA religious exemption recognizing its lawful use of ayahuasca as a sacrament. This decision marked one of the first clear acknowledgments of entheogenic communion under federal oversight and set an important precedent for future faith-based organizations seeking similar protection