About the Retreat
The Buddha praised meditation in beautiful wild places, in seclusion from the stresses of city life, and emphasized the joy and peace of heart and mind that comes when we are able to set down our burdens and rest in the joy of practice.
The texts tell of a king who became a monk, and how he was overheard exclaiming “What bliss!” as he practiced in the forest. The other monks thought he was remembering the sensual pleasures of his old life and confronted him, only to find out that he was celebrating the joy of his new life free from the stresses and dangers of kingship. He said that now, “even when alone in the wilderness… I’m not fearful, scared, suspicious, or nervous. I live relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, my heart free as a wild deer.” (Ud 2.10)
Our fall retreat this year is at the beautiful Shelterwood Collective in Cazadero, CA. We will flow between indoor and outdoor practice, weaving between sitting and walking meditation, Yoga, and immersion in the woods and wild spaces.
This will be a traditional Insight Meditation retreat, held in noble silence, with a focus on practices of wise view, natural awareness, somatic presence, and attunement to the natural world, inspired by the teachings of the Forest Saṅgha tradition of Ajahn Chah. No prior meditation experience is required to participate in this retreat.
Logistics
Work meditation: Participants will sign up for a daily work meditation job, which helps to both integrate our practice into daily life activities and to support the community through the week.
Lodging: There are a variety of sliding scale lodging options, from your own tent to indoor rooms and glamping tents.
Meals: Starting with dinner on Wed the 1st, we’ll be serving 3 vegetarian meals / day along with access to snacks, tea and coffee throughout each day.
Weather: During this autumn retreat, the weather and temperatures can vary. Thus, we’ll provide participants with a packing list for your comfort and safety.
Schedule: The image below is an example of what our full retreat day schedule may look like.
Retreat Site & Lodging
This retreat will reside at Shelterwood Collective, a Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ-led community forest and retreat center. Comprised of 900+ acres, Shelterwood Collective is nestled above the Russian River in Sonoma County, CA, on Unceded Kashaya and Southern Pomo territory.
There is a loop trail that starts / ends at camp. This trail is 3 miles on gravel and takes about 1.5 hours. There is another hike up to a natural clearing that looks out on neighboring ridgetops and a couple that meader along the creek. All of the hikes all require decent mobility. For more accessible paths, individuals are able to walk around camp and/or along the winding path for cars.
Glamping tents along with individuals who choose to bring their own tent will reside in the meadow, a quick walk (less than 30 seconds) from the Redwood Lodge. This lodge has a fireplace in the common area along with individual heaters in each bedroom. This is where the kitchen is as well. Depending on the weather, the dining area may be inside by the fireplace or just outside on the adjacent deck. The lodge also has hot showers and 2 ADA accessible bathrooms with flushing toilets. There are a few bedrooms in this lodge and in other smaller cabins that surround the meadow.
There is a spacious meditation hall near the meadow and Redwood Lodge (again less than 30 seconds from between each site). Depending on the weather and time of day, practice may be held here. There are large sliding glass doors that connect the space to the outdoors.
Our sliding scale lodging options are listed below along with a slideshow of images. For precise pricing and other lodging details, please see our registration page HERE.
Private fully furnished tiny cabins with bed
Single bedrooms in fully furnished shared cabins
Shared double bedrooms in fully furnished shared cabins
Large glamping 13 ft bell tents (with a wooden bed frame, supportive foam mattress and duvet)
Shared LG glamping bell tents (for 2 individuals who already know each other and request this)
Medium glamping 10 x 10 ft tents (with a cot, pad and sleeping bag)
BYOTents or Vans
Retreat Cost & Policies
This retreat is offered on the basis of dana, the Pali word for generosity. This tradition of ‘Dana,’ or mutual giving, has supported Buddhist cultures for 2500 years. In Asia, the monks and nuns offer the teaching and the lay people support the monastery and fill the monks’ begging bowls each morning as they walk through the village on alms rounds. It is a beautiful exchange in which the hearts of both giver and receiver are opened in joy and gratitude.
Our retreat tickets just cover the basic costs of putting on the retreat: food, cook, site fee, administration costs, and other incidental expenses. It does not include compensation for Sean (time spent planning & teaching) or for Off-Grid Retreats (time spent organizing). On the final retreat day, you will be invited to share dana (AKA to donate) to the Retreat Teacher and to Off-Grid Retreats.
We offer the retreat fees on a sliding scale (based on the lodging you choose) to allow each participant to pay for what is most appropriate for themselves. We also provide a scholarship option for those who are unable to pay our lowest sliding scale fee. To see our pricing and/or to register, please click HERE (link available in May 2025).
Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your reservation more than 30 days before the retreat start date, you must cover the processing fee of ~5%. Then, the remaining amount paid will be refunded to you. If you cancel less than 30 days before the retreat start date or leave the retreat early no refund will be provided.
COVID Policy: Off-Grid Retreats takes COVID precautions seriously and will adhere to any state mandated requirements. Currently, Off-Grid Retreats does not require any COVID test(s) or vaccination(s) to attend this nature retreat. But we reserve the right to change requirements, if the state's mandated requirements change. We also kindly ask people to stay home if they feel sick the day before and/or the day of this retreat. Please note, we are not able to refund you for a last minute cancellation due to COVID or any other illness.
Retreat Teacher
Sean Oakes, PhD (he/him, queer, of Spanish/Puerto Rican and Northern European ancestry living on unceded Pomo land in California), teaches Buddhism, Yoga, and somatic practice. He received teaching authorization from Jack Kornfield, wrote his dissertation on extraordinary states in Buddhist meditation and experimental dance, and focuses on the integration of philosophy, somatics, and social justice discourse with the Dharma. He teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, East Bay Meditation Center, Insight Timer, and elsewhere. Learn more about Sean at seanfeitoakes.com.
If you're interested in joining a group zoom with Sean to experience his teaching prior to this retreat and to ask questions related to this retreat, please email our Program Manager Asha (asha@offgridretreats.org).