About Us

 

History of Arica Institute

Founded in New York City in 1971, the Arica Institute grew from the visionary teachings of Oscar Ichazo and the dedication and enthusiasm of his earliest students. What began as a small group of seekers in Northern Chile had expanded into a global community spanning North America, South America, Australia and Europe—united by a shared commitment to personal trans­formation and higher consciousness, and the realization of our unity as one humanity.

The Early Days:
Building Our Foundation

In the formative years of the Arica Institute, intensive group experiences were the primary teaching method. The initial three-month trainings evolved into “40-day” and three-week “Advanced” trainings, where participants first encountered the profound wisdom and practice of Ichazo’s teachings.

As the Institute grew through the mid-1970s, teaching methods evolved, and a more specialized curriculum of focused trainings was developed. This period marked an important transition—some practices became personal journeys undertaken at home, while others remained powerful group experiences, with many integrating both individual reflection and collective energy.

Evolution and Refinement

The transformative Nine Hypergnostic Systems™ training incorporated the “40-Day” teachings and continues to be offered today as an immersive two-week residential training followed by a personalized individual practice. In 2014, The Original Arica Trainings™ was introduced as a 10–day residential experience, including several of the shorter trainings from earlier years.

Throughout these developments, the Arica Institute has facilitated our community’s group training experiences through licensed Sponsors who organize teams of certified teachers (Profactors) and apprentices to present this Work.

Our Community

An important aspect of the Institute’s non-profit organization lies in its demo­cratic structure and shared stewardship. Its elected Board of Directors guides the Institute in adhering to corporate bylaws and ethical standards while fulfilling legal and fiduciary responsibilities.

Behind the scenes, dedicated volunteers bring the Institute’s vision to life — coordinating teachers and Sponsors, translating books and training materials into Spanish and Portuguese, ensuring ethical compliance, building our digital presence, and sustaining our mission through fundraising initiatives.

The entire community of Arica members continues to work together towards our goal of realizing the unity of humanity — We are One.