About Osage Forest of Peace

Mission & Vision

The Osage Forest of Peace is an interspiritual contemplative retreat center, providing sacred space for individual retreats, group retreats, or a day of respite from the busy world. The staff is comprised of a resident community of people from a variety of spiritual and religious backgrounds. We value simplicity, compassion and diverse approaches to the Sacred. Osage Forest of Peace provides an environment that is supportive of all those who desire to engage in "dialogue of the heart" through prayer and meditation.

Come and experience the beauty of 43 wooded acres on a ridge between Keystone Lake and Shell Lake, just 20 minutes from downtown Tulsa. The Forest features nearly three miles of hiking trails with beautiful views, a woodland labyrinth, a Zen Garden, and a Cave of the Mothers meditation chamber. There are many peaceful places for prayer and meditation. 

We invite you to come and savor the stillness of the Forest, drinking from the wellsprings of the great spiritual traditions. At the Forest of Peace, you'll be welcomed by contemplative silence and a resident community who lives simply and offers hospitality to all who seek a deeper spiritual practice.

Upcoming Retreats at Osage Forest of Peace

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Entering the Forest is a peaceful experience and you'll have the opportunity to meditate in a beautiful Meditation Chapel with large windows looking out into the woods. Other meditation areas include a traditional Zen Garden, a woodland labyrinth for walking meditation, and an underground meditation chamber (the Cave of the Mothers) with wonderful acoustics for chanting.

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.

Meals

Menu Types

Breakfasts are a self-serve buffet style with cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, toppings such as nuts and raisins, hard-boiled eggs, and a variety of milks from dairy to dairy free. On weekends, we additionally offer a variety of breads and toppings for toast. Lunch is our main meal of the day and is eaten together in community. Before the meal, we all circle around the table for a blessing and to introduce ourselves. Food options typically include a meat, a variety of vegetables, tofu or other protein for vegetarians, salad bar, and a healthy dessert. Supper is a light meal and is eaten together in community. Food options typically include a hearty soup, a meat, a variety of vegetables, crackers, salad bar, and a healthy dessert.

Getting Here

Location icon Osage Forest of Peace, 141 Monastery Road, Sand Springs, OK, United States

Directions

FROM TULSA: 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.

Customer Reviews

4.92 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
Be Part of a Community in the Forest
Each time I return to Osage Forest of Peace for a programmed or a personal retreat, I experience the tranquility of the old growth forest and the meditation sessions in the chapel with its expansive windows. Delicious meals are served in the main house (with vegan and gluten free options), and I sleep in my own individual cabin.
Moreover, as I become a frequent visitor, I see again and come to know David MacDonald, the director, his resident family, and other participants. I feel as though I am becoming part of a very special and valued community.
I highly recommend Osage Forest of Peace

5.0
Verified logo
Highly Recommend
This retreat is amazing! The people are so kind, the land is beautiful, and the cabins are so comfy. I have never felt so at peace anywhere I have ever visited. The staff is so knowledgeable and kind, and everyone that you meet is very inviting. There’s a real sense of family in this place, especially eating all your meals at one big table with everyone. Once again, I cannot recommend enough!

5.0
Verified logo
Father’s Day solace
A friend and I who both had great, outsdoorsmen fathers have spent the last 5 Father’s Days usually kayaking. This year we went to the Osage Forest of Peace. She had never been and I hadn’t been in many years.
It was the most wonderful 3 hours as we walked the labyrinth, went to the Zen Garden and then walked the trails. The rain from the previous 2 days had the natural streams running which were especially beautiful at Mary’s Grotto.

5.0
Verified logo
Wonderful!
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I fell in love with the Forest of Peace during my time there this weekend. I appreciated the little details--the name plate on my cabin, the sunsreen/bug spray/umbrella/flashlight/toiletries in the cabin, the bucket of walking sticks. It was clear that someone has really thought about what people might need while on retreat there. David was a lovely host and I enjoyed the communal meditations and meals. The grounds were beautiful and peaceful. I will definitely be back!

4.0
Verified logo
Food
I have been to the forest before and had a pleasant stay.
Unfortunately, this time they had changed caterers and the lentil soup was burnt and served to us anyway, and the meals were not nearly as good. I do hope they change caterers or I probably will not come back because part of the registration fee is going towards the food and I might as well enjoy it.

Similar retreats