ISTA meaning in Community ?

The International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) is an organization which facilitates workshops and tribal gatherings in the field of sexual shamanism, sexual healing and integrative attitudes towards mind, body, emotions, sexuality and shadow work. ISTA is a modern mystery school, intended to guide participants towards a holistic and empowered lifestyle.

ISTA was founded in 2007 by Baba Dez Nichols as an international non-profit educational organization. Baba Dez Nichols stars in the award-winning documentary Sex Magic.

Initially, ISTA had a central office and manager, but trainings are now worldwide, and there is no longer an operational location. Instead, a "Governance Circle" of trainers oversees the organization. The Governance Circle consists of three ISTA faculty members who make decisions about allocation of financial resources, and whatever governance issues may arise. After having served a few years on the Governance Circle, the ISTA faculty members retire to join the "Wisdom Circle", making themselves available for consultation when needed. Nichols remains involved in the trainings, but stepped-down from his participation in the Governance Circle in 2019.

Tantra and shamanism influence its teachings. Nudity and other practices believed to occur at ISTA have caused controversy around ISTA trainings at some locations.

Although ISTA began in Arizona, it has greatly expanded, such that many thousands of individuals have taken the ISTA trainings all over the world. In Israel, a large community of ISTA graduates have developed and created other programs that are carrying the ISTA teachings to a larger audience.