Top Rated

The Forest: Your Companion for Health and Wellness

Name: The Forest: Your Companion for Health and Wellness
Start: 2025-11-07
End: 2025-11-09
Location: Osage Forest of Peace
Rating: 4.91

4.91146 reviews

Up to 25 in group

November 7 - 9, 2025

Retreat Highlights

Community.
Meditation.
Nature.
Hiking.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Emmie

Details of this retreat

Discover the power of nature and the forest to nurture and heal your body, mind, and soul…

We know intuitively that nature can nurture us and yet we fail to make time to
disconnect from our busy lives and immerse ourselves in nature. Studies have shown
that as little as 15 minutes in a forest can improve one’s mood and relieve stress and
anxiety. Research demonstrates physical, mental, and spiritual benefits are found in
nature and yet we rarely allow time for nature to nourish and restore our health and
well-being.

This weekend retreat will inspire and empower participants to connect with nature,
themselves, and the peace of The Osage Forest. Participants will be invited to slow
down, quiet their mind chatter, silence their inner critics, listen loudly, walk softly,
encourage their curiosity, and engage their senses to connect with nature.
The intention for our weekend in the forest will be to experience the natural world with a
childlike sense of awe, sacred wonderment, and a spirit of infinite possibility. Under the
gentle guidance of Certified Forest Therapy Guide and Eco-Spiritual Director Emmie
Brenzel, participants will learn how to connect more deeply with earth’s healing energies
and tune into the subtle rhythms of the symphony of life in the forest.

What kinds of experiences does this retreat offer?

This retreat will offer a variety of indoor and outdoor classroom options and activities,
group and solo experiential exercises in nature, along with quiet time for reflection,
introspection, and meditation. Our weekend adventures include Forest Bathing and
work with Nature Journaling, Haiku Writing, and Mandalas. Options will be available to
accommodate forest access, mobility concerns, and/or extreme weather conditions. The
Osage Forest grounds has hiking trails, a Zen Garden, and Labyrinth for your weekend
use and Spiritual Direction can be arranged if requested in advance.
Benefits of Nature and Forest immersion include:
 Improved immune function
 Lowered blood pressure and resting heart rate
 Mood enhancement and reduced depression

Schedule

Meditation.
Hiking.
Nature.
Labyrinth.
Zen Garden.

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Osage Forest of Peace

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.

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

Standard Cabin

Our standard cabins feature a full bathroom, heating and air conditioning, and WiFi access. They include: Two 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 Photos shown are for a typical cabin setup. Cabin layout and furnishings may vary.

Upgraded Cabin: Mary (#6)

Our Mary cabin (#6) is our most beloved standard cabin, located in a private spot with a private porch perfect for experiencing the wonder of the forest in solitude. This cabin includes: Two twin beds Bathroom with shower Hot water kettle Coffee pot Bed linens, pillows, blankets, and towels Hair dryer Desk Dresser Comfortable chair Alarm clock Hand soap Makeup remover wipes Tissues Insect repellent Umbrella Flashlights

Upgraded Cabin: Scholastica (#10)

Our Scholastica cabin (#10) has been freshly renovated!!! It has new flooring, paint, and fixtures, along with gorgeous new curtains, bedspreads, and decorations. This space is light, bright, joyful, and colorfully soothing. Scholastica is a standard cabin located in a private spot with a private porch perfect for experiencing the wonder of the forest in solitude. This cabin includes: Two twin beds Bathroom with shower Hot water kettle Coffee pot Bed linens, pillows, blankets, and towels Hair dryer Desk Dresser Chair Alarm clock Hand soap Makeup remover wipes Tissues Insect repellent Umbrella Flashlights

Hermitage: Subiaco (#11)

Our Subiaco 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: Three 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 (Private Cabin)

Includes overnight lodging for Friday night through Sunday afternoon, retreat sessions and meals from Friday evening through Sunday brunch, in a private cabin. All 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 Photos shown are for a typical cabin setup. Cabin layout and furnishings may vary.

Double Occupancy (Shared Cabin with Roommate)

Includes overnight lodging for Friday and Saturday nights, all retreat sessions, all meals from Friday supper through Sunday brunch, in a shared cabin with a roommate. You can request a specific roommate. If no roommate is requested, you'll be matched with a roommate of the same gender. All 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 Photos shown are for a typical cabin setup. Cabin layout and furnishings may vary.

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

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

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

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.

What's Included

Meals.
Meditation.

What's Not Included

Airfare.

Customer Reviews

4.91 out of 5.0 average rating

Anonymous • Jul 21, 2025

5.0

Verified

Filled with Peace

So grateful for the Tulsa Zen Sangha and the Forest of Peace Retreat Center. This half-day Zen retreat combines seated and walking meditation with dharma talks, one-on-one teaching, and a delicious lunch. I look forward to joining again and again.

Julie • Jul 21, 2025

5.0

Verified

Loved Sound Bathing at Forest of Peace

I tried something new, Sound Bathing last weekend at F of P. Nick, the host, said it would be better than taking mushrooms. It was. He used light bells to gongs to produce out of this world experiences. As a person recovering from cancer, I now totally appreciate the healing power of sound. The facility was beautiful and welcoming.

Anonymous • Jul 20, 2025

5.0

Verified

Serene green welcome

Osage Forest of Peace is a wonderful place that welcomes people of all walks of life to enjoy the tranquility of nature that's only 20 minutes from Tulsa. I often go there to hike the trails and, most recently, I attended a Tulsa Zen Sangha half-day meditation retreat -- well organized, thoughtful, and a delicious lunch served by the Forest's volunteers.

Lindsay • Jul 14, 2025

5.0

Verified

PERSONAL RETREAT

I had the best time at this personal retreat and i hope to be able to do it many more times again :)

Peter • Jul 05, 2025

5.0

Verified

Feels like a monastery

It's been some time since my last stay at a monastery. I was in the Oklahoma/ Kansas area and decided to make a detour to stay a few nights at Forest of Peace. It had been on my "list" since sometime in the 80's. The stillness at Forest of Peace and the pictures and books of Fr. Bede brought back a few memories of staying at Shantivanam in India.

As it was not a weekend, there were just a few people there. David and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The meditation/ worship sessions in the circular room were deep. The rooms were simple, adequate, and conducive to a personal retreat.

The Forest: Your Companion for Health and Wellness

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Emmie Brenzel

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions