Peaceful Mountain Way
About Us
Peaceful Mountain Way Church of Metaphysics
Ayahuasca Ceremonies and Spiritual Retreats in Kentucky
Are you searching for a deeper understanding of yourself, a more meaningful relationship with the Divine, or a way to reconnect with something you feel you have lost along the way?
At Peaceful Mountain Way Church of Metaphysics, we welcome sincere seekers from all walks of life. Our work is rooted in the understanding that spiritual growth begins with a willingness to look within, question what we believe, and become more conscious of who we are and what we are capable of becoming.
We offer ayahuasca as a spiritual sacrament within a framework of reverence, intention, and personal responsibility. Our ceremonies provide space for inner exploration, spiritual reflection, and the possibility of seeing yourself and your life from a new perspective. We believe the journey is not simply about what happens during a ceremony, but how we carry what we learn into the lives we live afterward.
Our church is non-denominational and metaphysical in its approach. You do not have to abandon your existing faith or spiritual tradition to join us. We welcome people who are curious, experienced, questioning, or simply ready to take an honest look within.
Ceremonies in Berea, Kentucky, and the surrounding Appalachian foothills
We offer group retreats on select weekends throughout the month, as well as private ceremonies by appointment. Our gatherings are intentionally small, allowing us to approach this work with personal attention, respect, and care.
Group retreats are three-day weekend gatherings, with a requested offering of $572 per person.
Private retreats are two-day weekday gatherings, typically Monday and Tuesday, with lodging included when arranged through us. The requested offering is $690 per person, plus a $210 deposit. Private ceremonies are held in Berea or at a comfortable, furnished cabin near McKee, Kentucky.
Participation begins with church membership and a conversation about your intentions, questions, and readiness for this work. We ask every prospective participant to review our preparation and safety guidelines before proceeding.
If something here speaks to you, I invite you to reach out. You do not need to have everything figured out before we talk. A sincere question is a perfectly good place to begin.
Learn more about our church and approach at https://peacefulmountainway.org/
To explore membership and begin a conversation, visit https://peacefulmountainway.org/membership/
I look forward to hearing your story and learning what has brought you here.
Demian Gover
Chief Minister
Peaceful Mountain Way
Church of Metaphysics
22 Reviews on “Peaceful Mountain Way”
With Demian, Sandy, and the whole Peaceful Mountain Way, I have done 2 ayahuasca ceremonies to help with my search for spiritual and emotional clarity, and healing to handle all the issues and challenges in my life. I was very grateful for everything that the team at this retreat has done for me, as from the insightful visions in these therapeutic ceremonies. It is. It is a cliche, but they have truly transformed my life. I am better prepared now to tackle everything in life that comes at me with resolve. I highly recommend the retreat at Peaceful Mountain Way, no matter what your background or beliefs.
I am from Ohio & was hoping to find a local option that I can afford for my first experience & attend again & again for my healing. I was also looking for a cultural option that matched my background. I respect the ayahuasca history but I am not familiar with South American cultures & I did not feel comfortable attending this type of ceremony outside the US. Damien incorporates a respectful American perspective with what I perceive as a traditional ayahuasca ceremony. Damien is approachable & compassionate to answer questions throughout the process. I wanted the ayahuasca experience & it was provided 2 nights in a comfortable environment. This is not the 5 star hotel resort experience you’ll see online but rather a downhome, personalized experience to fit what you need to make the ceremony comfortable and most importantly impactful to what your intent is in taking ayahuasca. We had the opportunity to explore Berea, KY during our weekend stay & were delighted on what a true gem this area is. I had the pleasure of having Sandy’s support during both ceremonies & I know she was integral both nights in keeping me grounded and safe. Both nights took me on different emotional roller coaster journeys & I am grateful for Sandy’s support & wisdom during & after the ceremonies. I plan to go back soon and I look forward to continuing my healing journey at Peaceful Mountain Way.
Edited
It’s been several years since I attended a ceremony at PMW. In my limited experience, when it comes to Aya, the three most important things are safety (during the ceremony), circa and in session processing, and appropriate boundaries. The folks at PMW excel in all three of these key dimensions, and are therefore highly recommended, with no reservations whatsoever. PS – hope to come back soon – spring 2027?
This has been a safe haven to explore plant medicine. The facilitators provide counsel and gentle support during ceremonies. The location is comfortable enough for a long weekend or you can rent a nearby hotel room to have added privacy. I have attended 2 group ceremonies and both times I was kept safe and found support during the journey. In a group setting where different people bring different energies it can feel unsafe at times, but the facilitators at Peaceful Mountain Way work diligently to make sure it is a safe place.
This was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. This is a relaxing setting with guides who are genuine and caring people who are experienced and have great expertise in this field. I can’t recommend this enough. If you want the whole story, go to hillbillynerdtalk.com and listen to episode 278.
I’ve worked and studied at PMW for over a decade and have nothing but positive things to say about the spaces/ facilitators. A person is in good hands when working with this church. I’d give more than 5 stars if I could.
I completely and unreservedly recommend Peaceful Mountain Way. I have attended 5 ceremonies here. Even after I moved out of the area, I came back–by plane!–to attend the last 2. I keep coming back for a reason: everyone involved in the ceremony puts their heart and soul into it, every single time. As a woman, I felt completely safe. And as a person, I felt completely supported. Demian brings his authentic self–there is no pretending to be from a tradition that is not his own–but what he has crafted contains its own genuine source of knowledge, healing, and compassion. I can’t compare to anywhere else, but I can attest that for me, the ceremonies here provided life changing healing. I owe the life that I have now to PMW.
I have been a member of Peaceful Mountain Way for 8 years, attending many ceremonies with many different people. I return every year because Demien and the other ministers provide a safe, comfortable and loving space to learn and heal. I have watched (and personally experienced) them guide and support so many people through amazing and sometimes very difficult situations with steadfast commitment, compassion and strength. I’ve never seen them falter, ever.
I have watched so many people arrive at the church with darkness or sadness in their eyes, and then, two days later, leave with a gleam of hope and inspiration in them, ready to integrate their experiences into everyday life. I return every year not only to work and heal, but to be around this amazing group of people who turn strangers into friends with the greatest of ease and who have helped so many people. I go there to feel at home.
I had a great experience this past summer at peaceful mountain way. Damian was great as a facilitator and showed so much care for everyone there! It was my first time at something like this and he was excellent at walking us through everything and in facilitating discussions following each ceremony.
I went to Demian for alcohol addiction. He was accommodating and clearly knew his craft. The experience was everything I needed, and it’s helped me in ways I didn’t expect. With more experience, I can see how beneficial it really is. I’m going back after the new year.
I love this community so much! Everyone is knowledgeable, helpful and supportive. I adore them and am so grateful they are here. My ceremonies have helped me deal with several traumas along with helping me find answers I have been searching for years to. It may seem scary, but it is so rewarding. I highly recommend.
My husband and I started coming here at the beginning of the year and have attended several PMW ceremonies so far. Originally, I came here as a last resort to address my depression and PTSD. I am not new to self-help and processing trauma and have done inner work for decades. I experienced profound healing during and after the ceremonies at PMW and I feel as though I got just as much work done in a weekend and the days after a ceremony as I have in what took years in the past. Demian, Sandi, and Kayla are compassionate, responsible people who really care about what they do. I have always felt safe and they make it very clear that you do not have to do it alone. I have learned so much and will continue to return.
There is much that goes into a successful ceremony, the most important being the expertise and experience of the facilitators. Having been formally educated in Psychedelic Science, having helped change legislation, and having held space for others on their healing journeys myself, there is no retreat I would recommend more than PMW. I have spoken to people who have had less than ideal experiences at other retreats due to either a lack of empathy and compassion from staff or outright safety concerns. These are problems you won’t experience at PMW. Having taken part in a two-night retreat, the bulk of the work I needed to do was accomplished on the first night in a safe and comfortable setting, with Demian guiding me through the process, knowing exactly what to say when I was at my most vulnerable, and Sandi providing compassion throughout. Both seem to operate at a level that contemporary science cannot yet explain. For anyone seeking a safe, compassionate, and meaningful healing experience, PMW is the retreat I recommend without hesitation and indeed do so regularly.
PMW introduced me to a new life that I didn’t think was possible. My life and the life of my family has greatly improved since first attending PMW. The facility and facilitators are all top notch individuals that are there to care for you. I would suggest PMW if one is interested in finding a part of themselves
I have gone to Peaceful Mountain Way on multiple 3-day ayahuasca group ceremony. Demian & Sandy are the kindest, most caring, knowledgeable, and helpful individuals I have come across. They are born to help individuals and I am so happy to have shared their space with them and others. They feel like family/friends to me now. I can’t recommend enough to someone who feels the call. You will be in the best of hands and environment.
Great ceremonies with good people who are clearly doing this for the right reasons. They do a really good job holding a calm, supportive space with real care and understanding. I’m very grateful for the help they’ve given me, my family, and my friends.
I have been to Peaceful Mountain Way many times since 2019. I will continue going here because it is affordable as well as I feel safe and feel like the facilitators are watching over me. The soup and crackers they provide are amazing after a journey. Camping at the house is pleasant also. I have never felt unsafe doing so. The talks before ceremony are very helpful and help you to connect to and make lasting friendships. I will definitely be visiting again soon.
Peaceful Mountain Way has helped me so much. I have so much to thank them for in transforming my life. PWM is not only the most cost-effective option in the States but also provides an incredible staff and environment to help you have the best experience possible. I’ve visited them 3 times and plan to go more.
I’ve been to peaceful mountain way several times and feel like I got a lot out of it every time. The people and vibe is always warm and welcoming. I don’t think my journey would be the same without Damian there to help me sort through everything that happened afterwards.
I have had many ceremonies with PMW, and also many ceremonies with another. They are the best I have ever been involved with! Have been around them all. It speaks volumes seeing the 3 root people still carrying on this work, 10 years and longer. They are all amazing and absolutely make you feel welcome, safe, heard, and seen! I just came back from one, and I can not stress how much I appreciate the attention to integrations and discussions that come after. It is key and they see that and work with you. Demian is a brother to me! Well, He is me LOL! Love him and them and the great work they do! So much love and appreciation, and I don’t think words do them justice. Demian-Sandi-Pat you guys are amazing and thank you for opening to allow me to work thru that which I need and I AM!!! Miss you Pat and Sandi, have to swing back just to reconnect! Love you all!
Edited
It’s difficult to adequately describe what PMW means to me and what it has done for me. I found PMW at a time I needed help the most, and while the work hasn’t been easy, I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to do it… and to continue doing it. PMW is the kind of place where you can exhale. They won’t try to sell you packages or luxurious ceremonies. You won’t find neo-shamans peddling spiritual bypassing. What you will find is down to earth folks who are kind, compassionate, experienced, and giving. They will help you come back to yourself and hold space, always reminding you that the answers are already in you. I wouldn’t go to any other place. They’ve seen me at my most vulnerable and afraid, and I trust them.
I participated in a two-day group ceremony at Peaceful Mountain Way in the late 2010s. I cannot speak highly enough of the people of PMW. They made me feel completely safe and loved the entire time. They are the real deal. If you are looking to try ayahuasca, PMW is a safe and supportive place to do so.