Abbreviation | ISTA
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---|---|
Established | 2007
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Types |
nonprofit organization
![]() |
Headquarters |
Sedona
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Country | United States
![]() |
Website |
ista![]() |
The International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) is an organization which describes itself as promoting sexual healing and healthy attitudes towards sex. [1] ISTA claims its workshops participants in the spiritual aspects of sex. [2]
ISTA was founded in 2007 by Baba Dez Nichols in Arizona, as an international non-profit educational organization. [2] [3] [4]
ISTA teachings are influenced by Neotantra and western interpretations of shamanism. [5] [6] [7]
Nudity and other practices believed to occur at ISTA have caused controversy and opposition to establishment of ISTA schools at some locations. [8] The week-long workshops held by ISTA are not welcomed by many of those who are uncomfortable with counterculture and New Age practices. [8] [1]
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". [9] 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. [9] [10] [11] One woman said that she had been raped by a teacher after he drugged her with MDMA. [9] In 2021 the organisation said that they had implemented a policy of not allowing Temple Training teachers to have sex with participants. [10]
Abbreviation | ISTA
![]() |
---|---|
Established | 2007
![]() |
Types |
nonprofit organization
![]() |
Headquarters |
Sedona
![]() |
Country | United States
![]() |
Website |
ista![]() |
The International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) is an organization which describes itself as promoting sexual healing and healthy attitudes towards sex. [1] ISTA claims its workshops participants in the spiritual aspects of sex. [2]
ISTA was founded in 2007 by Baba Dez Nichols in Arizona, as an international non-profit educational organization. [2] [3] [4]
ISTA teachings are influenced by Neotantra and western interpretations of shamanism. [5] [6] [7]
Nudity and other practices believed to occur at ISTA have caused controversy and opposition to establishment of ISTA schools at some locations. [8] The week-long workshops held by ISTA are not welcomed by many of those who are uncomfortable with counterculture and New Age practices. [8] [1]
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". [9] 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. [9] [10] [11] One woman said that she had been raped by a teacher after he drugged her with MDMA. [9] In 2021 the organisation said that they had implemented a policy of not allowing Temple Training teachers to have sex with participants. [10]