Prepare the Forest for Sabbath Retreat
About this Retreat
Details of this retreat
Every year the Forest closes to daytime and overnight guests for the month of August for a summer sabbath. This annual sabbath allows our resident community and staff to practice respite and renewal and the land has some time to rest. We are grateful to our community and board who supports this important process.
We warmly invite you to join us on the last weekend in July to help us prepare for our August sabbath as a community. This timing beautifully coincides with the Celtic festival of Lammas (August 1) and continues our series celebrating the turning of the wheel of the year.
Lammas celebrates the grain harvest and is a time to honor the bountiful gifts of the land and to acknowledge the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. On Lammas, the first sheaves of grain were cut, and by that night, the first loaves of bread for the season would have been baked. The word Lammas comes from an Old English phrase that translates to loaf mass. In early Christianity, the first loaves of the season were blessed by the church during mass.
Together, we'll:
Bless all of the buildings and grounds to clear and release the energy, and to invite rest.
Bake breads and cakes as a token of gratitude for the many blessings of this season.
Decorate our communal table with symbols of the season, such as wheat, grains, apples, etc.
Hold ceremonies and offerings to the land to symbolize our thanks to the earth for the harvest.
Celebrate the sun and the light, the height of summer and the sun's power, warmth, energy, and growth.
Can some fruits and vegetables for the coming fall and winter.
Pause for individual periods of silence.
Have optional activities to help prepare the Forest for the sabbath: Locking cabin doors, cleaning up the trail, cleaning up branches on the property, etc.
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.