Summer Solstice Festival
About this Retreat
Details of this retreat
The sun has bathed the earth in its warmth, heating up the soil so that when autumn rolls around, we'll have a rich and bountiful harvest. It’s a time of celebrating the fullness of life and being grateful for the abundance in our lives. It’s a time of celebrating our own inner radiance, power, beauty, and the work of our hands.
This is the midpoint of the growing season, when life is at its peak. There is an energy of abundance all around in our natural world.
The summer solstice is also a time to rest, especially in a culture that encourages us to be constantly in a summer season in our lives, constantly productive, working, growing, being fruitful, and burning our power. Together we'll hold this space of rest, of learning to conserve our energy and not burn it completely out, of balancing the intensity of heat and fire with stillness.
We'll come together to:
Hold sacred ceremony for this threshold of the year.
Practice gratitude for the abundance in our lives.
Cook a festive meal together and enjoy our summer bounty.
Pause for individual periods of silence.
Collaboratively create an outside nature mandala on the Forest floor with leaves, stones, sticks, feathers, or other elements we gather from the forest land.
If you'd like to experience the summer solstice with us on the actual date of the solstice, Thursday, June 20, we warmly invite you to add an extra night when booking.
Getting Here
Directions
Take Hwy 64 West past the town of Sand Springs; exit at 177 West Avenue.
Turn RIGHT on 177 West Avenue and drive about 1 mile to Anderson Road.
Turn LEFT on Anderson Road.
Continue about ½ mile to the entrance to the Shell Creek West housing division.
Turn RIGHT into Shell Creek West housing division.
Turn RIGHT at Lakeview Drive.
Continue until you see Monastery Road.
Turn RIGHT onto Monastery Road until you come to the parking lot for Osage.
Accommodation
Our guest cabins provide a cozy and simple spot in the Forest to focus on what truly matters during your retreat. Many guests comment that they experience deep peace upon arriving at the Forest. Staying in a guest cabin allows you to experience the serene rest that comes with sleeping in the woods. STANDARD CABINS Our standard cabins feature a full bathroom, heating and air conditioning, and WiFi access. They include: Twin beds Bathroom with shower Bed linens, pillows, blankets, and towels Hair dryer Desk Dresser Comfortable chair Alarm clock Hand soap Makeup remover wipes Tissues Insect repellent Umbrella Flashlights GUEST HERMITAGE Our guest hermitage cabin is located in a private spot with big picture windows for looking out at the forest. This cabin features two rooms and a larger bathroom. There is a microwave, small refrigerator, plates, mugs, and eating utensils. A private deck is perfect for experiencing the wonder of the forest in solitude. This cabin includes: Twin beds Bathroom with shower Bed linens, pillows, blankets, and towels Hair dryer Desk Dresser Comfortable chair Alarm clock Hand soap Makeup remover wipes Tissues Insect repellent Umbrella Flashlights
Single Occupancy Retreat Registration
Double Occupancy Retreat Registration
Commuter Retreat Registration Saturday Only
Commuter Registration Full Retreat
Venue & Amenities
Our retreat center also has a trail system along wooded bluffs with views of Shell Lake and downtown Tulsa. You can rent a cabin to experience the peaceful setting overnight for your own personal retreat. Our rental rates include three meals a day in our dining room, where you'll eat alongside other guests and residents of our community. The Forest also offers a full range of programs and retreats on meditation and spiritual topics.
You have a range of options to experience meditation in a way that suits you. You might choose to join our resident community for meditation held Tuesday through Saturday at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, or 4:45 p.m., and on Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in our Meditation Chapel. Here you'll experience a meditation of 25 to 45 minutes with others who can help guide you.
Or, you may wish to simply rake the Zen Garden as you contemplate the prayer flags in the trees overhead. If you prefer to move while meditating, walking the labyrinth or hiking the trails will give you a chance to reconnect with nature. The Cave of the Mothers provides you with a dark, quiet place where you will be amazed by the sound of your chanting reverberating all around you.