experience

Just love

Ram Dass Evenings - A Just Love Forest Ashram Satsang Gathering
Sep
18
to Sep 19

Ram Dass Evenings - A Just Love Forest Ashram Satsang Gathering

Be Here Fridays are an invitation to slow down and arrive.

As the week releases its grip, we gather in the forest to sit together as satsang (spiritual community) in shared presence, discussion, prayer, song and quiet companionship. These evenings are not about doing more, but about remembering what it feels like to simply be here now together.

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september Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy
Sep
18
to Sep 20

september Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy

Immerse yourself in a weekend filled with meditation, service, a drum circle, and forest therapy, all within the warm embrace of our vibrant community. Connect with like-minded individuals and experience the healing power of nature and human connection.

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September Service and Community Gardening Day
Sep
19

September Service and Community Gardening Day

This day is not about arriving with expertise. It is about arriving as you are - open, willing, and interested in discovering new ways to contribute. Each person brings something different: strength, patience, attentiveness, creativity, or simply a readiness to learn. Every form of participation is valued.

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september Song & Sound Circle
Sep
19
to Sep 20

september Song & Sound Circle

The Sound & Song Circle is not a performance space. It is a shared listening space - one where voices, instruments, silence, and simple presence are all equally welcome. Some participants sing freely. Others hum softly, keep rhythm, or simply sit and receive the sound. Every way of being is valued

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september Green Burial Tour
Sep
20

september Green Burial Tour

Our green burial grounds, within the embrace of the Just Love community, honor the cycles of life and death with profound reverence. Our green burial sanctuary in Poetry, Georgia, just outside of Rome, is a sacred space where nature, healing, and community intertwine. Here, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the forest, we offer green burial and cremation burial for both beloved humans and pets - a return to the earth that celebrates life.

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SEPTEMBER FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”
Sep
20

SEPTEMBER FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”

Come experience the transitions of the season through a slow, sensory immersion in the forest. Color, texture, sound, scent, and the subtle movement of wind and light will be noticed using all of your senses. This day is designed to help you step out of urgency and into a more natural rhythm of presence, connection, and rest.

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Just Love Forest Fest
Oct
2
to Oct 4

Just Love Forest Fest

Throughout the weekend, 20+ workshops and experiences will be offered by members of our extended community. Explore yoga, poetry writing, Indigenous wisdom, shamanic journeying, meditation, breath, movement, nature connection, somatic healing, three different sound baths, wellbeing workshops, nature art, music, spiritual exploration, permaculture, green burial and native plant education, ecstatic dance, acoustic music, kirtan, and more.

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OCTOBER Hanuman Tuesdays
Oct
6

OCTOBER Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

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Forest Therapy Guide Training: A 7-day Intensive
Nov
2
to Nov 8

Forest Therapy Guide Training: A 7-day Intensive

Begin your journey towards becoming a Certified Forest Therapy Guide in the sacred forest of the Appalachian foothills of Poetry, Georgia. Followed by a four-month online training, this is a profound transformational journey of remembering and deepening your relationship with the Earth and all beings, as well as a pathway for professional expansion and personal growth.

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NOVEMBER Hanuman Tuesdays
Nov
3

NOVEMBER Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

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Vision Quest with Darren Silver
Nov
14
to Nov 22

Vision Quest with Darren Silver

Join guide and facilitator Darren Silver for an eight-day Vision Quest immersed in the wild landscape of Just Love Forest.

The Vision Quest is an initiatory journey rooted in deep relationship with the natural world — an opportunity to step away from the familiar, listen deeply, and explore questions of purpose, transition, belonging, and what is asking to emerge in your life.

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DECEMBER Hanuman Tuesdays
Dec
1

DECEMBER Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

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Silence: A Just Love Forest ashram four day silent retreat
Dec
3
to Dec 6

Silence: A Just Love Forest ashram four day silent retreat

Step away from the noise of everyday life and enter a container of deep stillness in the sacred forests of Just Love Forest Ashram in Poetry, Georgia. Silence: A 3-Day Experience is an immersive silent retreat designed to support inner reflection, presence, and heart-awakening through contemplative time in nature.

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december Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy
Dec
18
to Dec 20

december Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy

The weekend begins with meditation at 4:30 PM on Friday. You’ll arrive at the start time of the sessions you choose, such as Saturday’s Service Day at 10:30 AM, Saturday’s Song & Sound Circle at 4:30 PM, or Sunday Forest Therapy at 10:30 AM.

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december Service and Community Gardening Day
Dec
19

december Service and Community Gardening Day

This day is not about arriving with expertise. It is about arriving as you are - open, willing, and interested in discovering new ways to contribute. Each person brings something different: strength, patience, attentiveness, creativity, or simply a readiness to learn. Every form of participation is valued.

View Event →
December Song & Sound Circle
Dec
19
to Dec 20

December Song & Sound Circle

The Sound & Song Circle is not a performance space. It is a shared listening space—one where voices, instruments, silence, and simple presence are all equally welcome. Some participants sing freely. Others hum softly, keep rhythm, or simply sit and receive the sound. Every way of being is valued.

View Event →
DECEMBER FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”
Dec
20

DECEMBER FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”

Come experience the transitions of the season through a slow, sensory immersion in the forest. Color, texture, sound, scent, and the subtle movement of wind and light will be noticed using all of your senses. This day is designed to help you step out of urgency and into a more natural rhythm of presence, connection, and rest.

View Event →
december Green Burial Tour
Dec
20

december Green Burial Tour

Our green burial grounds, within the embrace of the Just Love community, honor the cycles of life and death with profound reverence. Our green burial sanctuary in Poetry, Georgia, just outside of Rome, is a sacred space where nature, healing, and community intertwine. Here, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the forest, we offer green burial and cremation burial for both beloved humans and pets - a return to the earth that celebrates life.

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Chant for Love FALL 2026: Voice, sound healing & forest therapy Retreat
Sep
11
to Sep 13

Chant for Love FALL 2026: Voice, sound healing & forest therapy Retreat

Our 4th beloved Chant for Love Retreat returns September 11-13, 2026!

Relax into the first weekend of Spring to experience bliss, love and community with Radha Rose, Bala Yancey, and Josh Klein. This weekend retreat will open your heart with vocal empowerment and sound healing. Enjoy magical community experiences with mantras, drumming songs, nature therapy and cacao ceremony.

Whether this is your first retreat or 108th:

CHANT FOR LOVE 2026 Retreat is for you if you seek to open up your heart and your voice with experienced guides in a loving, inclusive spiritual community.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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SEPTEMBER Hanuman Tuesdays
Sep
1

SEPTEMBER Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays 🧡

A weekly devotional day Held By JUST LOVE FOREST ASHRAM for gathering and practicing independently in nature

REGISTER For any SEPTEMBER Dates: 1ST, 8TH, 15th, 22ND, 29th

JOIN US FOR A DONATION-BASED DAY OF INTENTION & DEVOTION AT JUST LOVE FOREST

Arrival by 10:00 AM

Day practice · Optional evening puja · Optional overnight stay

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

Tuesdays are traditionally dedicated to Hanuman, the embodiment of courage, humility, strength, and selfless service. We honor this through intentional conversation, simplicity, and time for personal spiritual practice on the land.

The Day

We gather at 10:00 a.m. for a brief welcome and orientation.

After introductions, we enter quiet for the remainder of the day.

Participants are invited to hike to Bhakti Mountain, a sacred 40-minute walk through the forest. At the top, you’re welcome to sit in quiet practice, read spiritual texts, reflect, pray, or simply rest in the beauty of the land.

If the walk does not feel right for you, you’re welcome to remain at Basecamp in our meditation yurt.

Independent personal practice is held from approximately 1:00–5:00 p.m.

There is no group facilitation during the silent hours; this time is yours.

Meals & Evening Options

Please bring your own lunch to enjoy quietly during the day.

You’re welcome to:

  • Depart quietly at 6:00 p.m., or

  • Stay for a simple plant-based dinner that we provide at 6:30 p.m., followed by

  • Puja & Aarti from 7:30–8:30 p.m., departing before the gates close at 9:00 p.m.

For those staying overnight:

  • Quiet hours begin at 9:00 p.m.

  • Morning Puja & Aarti at 6:30 a.m.

  • A light, plant-based breakfast that we will provide around 9:00 a.m.

  • Departure by 10:00 a.m.

Shared Agreements

Phones are turned off or fully silenced upon arrival to support presence and inward listening.

To preserve the peace of the land and the shared container:

  • No pets (unless previously discussed)

  • No alcohol

  • No smoking

  • Food brought onto the land must be vegan or vegetarian

This space is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who are rooted in compassion. If devotional practices are new to you, you’re warmly welcome. Come with curiosity, humility, and an open heart.

What to Bring

  • Your own vegan or vegetarian lunch

  • A personal water bottle

  • Comfortable shoes with good traction

  • An optional small offering for the forest or Bhakti Mountain (flower, fruit, or poem)

  • Journal or spiritual texts (optional)

  • Sunscreen or rain layer if needed

  • Flashlight if staying past dark

  • Personal spiritual musical instrument (non-electronic)

If staying overnight:

  • Queen-size top & bottom sheets

  • Pillow & case

  • Blankets

  • Toiletries

  • Season and weather-appropriate clothing

Offering (Dāna)

Everything for this practice is offered on a donation basis to help care for the land and sustain the Ashram.

Suggested offerings:

  • Day pilgrimage & silent practice: Dāna any amount (optional)

  • Dinner & overnight stay: $30–50 suggested donation

Give what you’re able. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Join us in the Ashram.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Just Love, always,

Bala & Nivay

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4th Annual Ram Dass Summer Camp & Just Love Forest Ashram Opening Celebration 🧡
Aug
28
to Aug 31

4th Annual Ram Dass Summer Camp & Just Love Forest Ashram Opening Celebration 🧡

4th Annual Ram Dass Summer Camp 🧡🐒

Join us for Ram Dass Summer Camp 2026, our largest and most beloved gathering of the year, and a sacred milestone in the journey of Just Love Forest.

This year’s gathering will serve as the formal consecration of Just Love Forest Ashram, marking the emergence of the ashram after a transformative year of devotion, pilgrimage, service, and community.

Following last year’s summer camp, we made a pilgrimage to the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Taos, New Mexico, receiving the blessing and encouragement of elders connected to this lineage. Since then, Just Love Forest has formally become a federally recognized 501(c)(3) church and spiritual organization rooted in Bhakti Yoga, loving service, remembrance, and reverence for nature.

Now, one year later, we gather again beneath the summer sky.

Inspired by the original Ram Dass summer camps in New Hampshire, this is not simply a retreat, but a temporary village of practice, music, prayer, laughter, service, and love.

Together we will share:

Aarti and devotional ritual

Kirtan beneath the stars

Meditation and satsang

Forest therapy and nature immersion

Breathwork and embodied practice

Sacred fire circles and mountaintop gatherings

Seva, song, silence, and shared remembrance

This year’s gathering features a variety of offerings from beloved members of the extended Ram Dass and Just Love Forest community.

At the center of it all is a simple question:


“How can I help?”

The spirit of seva is what transforms this gathering from an event into a living community. Together we create the field.

This gathering is offered through our Heart-Centered Reciprocity model so that finances are not a barrier to participation. If you feel called to be here, we welcome you.

Come sing beneath the stars.Come walk each other home, again.


Come help us consecrate this next chapter of Just Love Forest Ashram together.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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AUGUST Hanuman Tuesdays
Aug
4

AUGUST Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays 🧡

A weekly devotional day Held By JUST LOVE FOREST ASHRAM for gathering and practicing independently in nature

REGISTER For any August Dates: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

JOIN US FOR A DONATION-BASED DAY OF INTENTION & DEVOTION AT JUST LOVE FOREST

Arrival by 10:00 AM

Day practice · Optional evening puja · Optional overnight stay

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

Tuesdays are traditionally dedicated to Hanuman, the embodiment of courage, humility, strength, and selfless service. We honor this through intentional conversation, simplicity, and time for personal spiritual practice on the land.

The Day

We gather at 10:00 a.m. for a brief welcome and orientation.

After introductions, we enter quiet for the remainder of the day.

Participants are invited to hike to Bhakti Mountain, a sacred 40-minute walk through the forest. At the top, you’re welcome to sit in quiet practice, read spiritual texts, reflect, pray, or simply rest in the beauty of the land.

If the walk does not feel right for you, you’re welcome to remain at Basecamp in our meditation yurt.

Independent personal practice is held from approximately 1:00–5:00 p.m.

There is no group facilitation during the silent hours; this time is yours.

Meals & Evening Options

Please bring your own lunch to enjoy quietly during the day.

You’re welcome to:

  • Depart quietly at 6:00 p.m., or

  • Stay for a simple plant-based dinner that we provide at 6:30 p.m., followed by

  • Puja & Aarti from 7:30–8:30 p.m., departing before the gates close at 9:00 p.m.

For those staying overnight:

  • Quiet hours begin at 9:00 p.m.

  • Morning Puja & Aarti at 6:30 a.m.

  • A light, plant-based breakfast that we will provide around 9:00 a.m.

  • Departure by 10:00 a.m.

Shared Agreements

Phones are turned off or fully silenced upon arrival to support presence and inward listening.

To preserve the peace of the land and the shared container:

  • No pets (unless previously discussed)

  • No alcohol

  • No smoking

  • Food brought onto the land must be vegan or vegetarian

This space is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who are rooted in compassion. If devotional practices are new to you, you’re warmly welcome. Come with curiosity, humility, and an open heart.

What to Bring

  • Your own vegan or vegetarian lunch

  • A personal water bottle

  • Comfortable shoes with good traction

  • An optional small offering for the forest or Bhakti Mountain (flower, fruit, or poem)

  • Journal or spiritual texts (optional)

  • Sunscreen or rain layer if needed

  • Flashlight if staying past dark

  • Personal spiritual musical instrument (non-electronic)

If staying overnight:

  • Queen-size top & bottom sheets

  • Pillow & case

  • Blankets

  • Toiletries

  • Season and weather-appropriate clothing

Offering (Dāna)

Everything for this practice is offered on a donation basis to help care for the land and sustain the Ashram.

Suggested offerings:

  • Day pilgrimage & silent practice: Dāna any amount (optional)

  • Dinner & overnight stay: $30–50 suggested donation

Give what you’re able. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Join us in the Ashram.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Just Love, always,

Bala & Nivay

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AUGUST Hermitage Experience
Aug
1
to Aug 7

AUGUST Hermitage Experience

Hermitage at Just Love Forest

The Hermitage at Just Love Forest is an intentional, land-based experience of solitude, simplicity, and deep listening. Rooted in a long human lineage of seekers, mystics, artists, and everyday people who stepped into periods of intentional seclusion, hermitage here offers a refuge from modern noise and distraction, inviting participants to return to clarity and presence.

Duration

Hermitage experiences are held within a shared container, with all participants beginning on the same start date. Minimum stays: eco-village is 3 days, deep forest is 4 days. This allows enough time to settle, listen, and arrive more fully. From there, the length of each stay is individualized, with end dates shaped by the participant's needs and set to the final date listed for that session. This structure allows for both continuity and flexibility, honoring different rhythms while supporting the care of the land.

Guests arrive together for orientation and an exploration of the land, then settle into quiet, solo time in either an eco-village bell tent or a more secluded forest site, with the forest itself serving as their teacher and silence as their guide. The experience is not a conventional retreat or program to complete; there is no prescribed agenda, only space to rest, reflect, create, or simply be. Hermitage is shaped collaboratively through pre-arrival consultation and held with care for both the individual and the integrity of the land.

Consultation

This 60-minute consultation is the first step in co-creating a personalized hermitage experience at Just Love Forest. After scheduling, you’ll complete a brief questionnaire to guide the conversation. Together, we’ll explore where you are, what you most need, and your intentions for retreat time. We’ll discuss timing, levels of support, and recommend a structure aligned with your energy, goals, and capacity. You’ll also have space to ask questions so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Consultation fee: $50

CLICK TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

For general questions, please don’t hesitate to connect with us at contact@justloveforest.com

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JUNE Hermitage Experience
Jun
27
to Jul 3

JUNE Hermitage Experience

Hermitage at Just Love Forest

The Hermitage at Just Love Forest is an intentional, land-based experience of solitude, simplicity, and deep listening. Rooted in a long human lineage of seekers, mystics, artists, and everyday people who stepped into periods of intentional seclusion, hermitage here offers a refuge from modern noise and distraction, inviting participants to return to clarity and presence.

Duration

Hermitage experiences are held within a shared container, with all participants beginning on the same start date. Minimum stays: eco-village is 3 days, deep forest is 4 days. This allows enough time to settle, listen, and arrive more fully. From there, the length of each stay is individualized, with end dates shaped by the participant's needs and set to the final date listed for that session. This structure allows for both continuity and flexibility, honoring different rhythms while supporting the care of the land.

Guests arrive together for orientation and an exploration of the land, then settle into quiet, solo time in either an eco-village bell tent or a more secluded forest site, with the forest itself serving as their teacher and silence as their guide. The experience is not a conventional retreat or program to complete; there is no prescribed agenda, only space to rest, reflect, create, or simply be. Hermitage is shaped collaboratively through pre-arrival consultation and held with care for both the individual and the integrity of the land.

Consultation

This 60-minute consultation is the first step in co-creating a personalized hermitage experience at Just Love Forest. After scheduling, you’ll complete a brief questionnaire to guide the conversation. Together, we’ll explore where you are, what you most need, and your intentions for retreat time. We’ll discuss timing, levels of support, and recommend a structure aligned with your energy, goals, and capacity. You’ll also have space to ask questions so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Consultation fee: $50

CLICK TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

For general questions, please don’t hesitate to connect with us at contact@justloveforest.com

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June Green Burial Tour
Jun
21

June Green Burial Tour

“Become the Forest”

Our green burial grounds, within the embrace of the Just Love community, honor the cycles of life and death with profound reverence. Our green burial sanctuary in Poetry, Georgia, just outside of Rome, is a sacred space where nature, healing, and community intertwine. Here, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the forest, we offer green burial and cremation burial for both beloved humans and pets - a return to the earth that celebrates life.

At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to healing - through nature, ritual, and meaningful connection. Our offerings are uniquely integrated within a vibrant, nature-centered community. With the compassionate guidance of death doulas and support that honors your story, we create a space where love and transformation are held sacred.

This is more than a resting place; it is a sacred partnership with the earth, an invitation to become the forest.

We have 3 burial sites: Bhakti Mountain Summit, The Sacred Forest, and our pet burial ground, Circle of Paws. You can explore them all.

Upcoming free tours for 2026 are: February 15th, April 5th, May 24th, June 21st, August 30th, September 20th, October 18th

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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June FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”
Jun
21

June FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”

Forest Therapy Day at Just Love Forest

Come experience the transitions of the season through a slow, sensory immersion in the forest. Color, texture, sound, scent, and the subtle movement of wind and light will be noticed using all of your senses. This day is designed to help you step out of urgency and into a more natural rhythm of presence, connection, and rest.

Arrival and Opening Circle

Please plan to arrive by 10:30 AM. We will gather in our yurt to begin the day together with a gentle rose tea ceremony, offering time to arrive fully and connect with one another. This opening circle includes deep, spacious introductions, an orientation to the day, and a sharing of the history of the land and its living lineage. This time helps create safety, trust, and a shared container for the experience ahead.

A nourishing plant-based lunch will be served late morning, allowing us to settle, ground, and prepare our bodies for the afternoon in the forest.

Forest Therapy Experience

Around 1:00 PM, we will transition into the forest for approximately three hours of guided forest therapy. We typically begin by honoring the land and all beings who live here, stating intentions, and asking permission to enter into deeper relationship with the forest.

Guided by a certified forest therapy guide, you will be offered a series of simple, open ended invitations designed to support nervous system regulation, sensory awareness, and connection with the living world. This is not a hike and there is no destination to reach. We move slowly, with frequent pauses, allowing the forest to meet each person where they are.

Closing Circle and Forest Tea

We will return from the forest in the late afternoon for a closing forest tea ceremony, usually around 4:30 PM. The tea is always something unique and seasonal, foraged or prepared in relationship with the forest and the time of year. We will share closing reflections and offer space to gently integrate the day before departing around 5:00 PM.

About Forest Therapy

Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku, is a guided practice that supports mental, emotional, and physical well being through intentional time spent in forest environments.

The medicine received from nature is multifaceted. Psychologically, time in the forest supports calm, clarity, and emotional regulation through quiet, color, and sensory richness. Physiologically, research has shown that time spent in forests increases exposure to phytoncides, the organic compounds released by trees. These compounds have been linked to increased activity of natural killer (NK) cells, an important component of immune function, while also supporting heart health and reducing stress hormones in the body.

After several hours of peaceful immersion, many people leave feeling more grounded, connected, and at ease across mental, emotional, and physical dimensions of their being.

Contribution

The cost for Forest Therapy is $125 + tax for the Sunday experience

After registering, you will be directed to a payment page

If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to email contact@justloveforest.com.
We look forward to welcoming you into the forest.

REGISTER HERE

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June Song & Sound Circle
Jun
20
to Jun 21

June Song & Sound Circle

Song & Sound Circle

Many people arrive at the Sound & Song Circle carrying a quiet longing to connect, paired with uncertainty about whether they have a “good voice,” musical experience, or anything to offer.

This gathering exists precisely for that tender edge.

The Sound & Song Circle is not a performance space. It is a shared listening space—one where voices, instruments, silence, and simple presence are all equally welcome. Some participants sing freely. Others hum softly, keep rhythm, or simply sit and receive the sound. Every way of being is valued.

Together, we create a field of sound that is less about making music and more about feeling resonance—within ourselves, with one another, and with the forest around us. Songs may be simple chants, familiar melodies, improvised tones, or wordless sound. Instruments are welcome, but not required. Your voice, breath, or attentive listening is enough.

There is no pressure to sing alone, lead, or share unless you feel called. You are always free to participate in the way that feels safest and most nourishing for you. Many people discover that their voice naturally emerges over time, simply by being held in the collective sound.

The circle unfolds slowly, with room for pauses, laughter, emotion, and rest. The forest itself becomes part of the experience - holding the sound, echoing it back, and grounding the gathering in place.

Sound & Song at Just Love Forest is a practice of attunement and belonging. It reminds us that community is built not by perfection, but by showing up and allowing ourselves to be heard, or simply to listen, together.

By the end of the evening, many leave feeling more open, more settled, and quietly connected to something larger than themselves.

––––––––––
Sound & Song Circle

Arrive at 4:30 PM

All voices and levels of experience are welcome

Instruments are optional; listening is participation

You may sing, hum, drum, sit quietly, or come and go as needed

This is a substance-free, family-friendly gathering

If you are also attending the Service Day, participants should plan to stay on site through the evening

No musical skill is required. Presence, curiosity, and care are what make the circle meaningful.

We will share any additional details the week of the gathering.

Potluck Dinner (Vegan & Vegetarian)

Our evening begins with a shared vegan and vegetarian potluck meal. Participants are invited to bring a dish to share with the group.

We typically gather with around 15 people, so a modest dish that can serve several is perfect. Please also bring your own serving dish and serving utensils, as these are not provided on site.

If you’re new to potlucks or unsure what to bring, simple offerings are always appreciated - soups, salads, grain dishes, roasted vegetables, breads, or fruit are all wonderful choices.

Sharing a meal together is an important part of the evening, offering a chance to connect, settle in, and arrive fully before entering the Sound & Song Circle.

How Registration Works

Registration happens in two simple steps.

When you click one of the links below, you’ll first be taken to Stripe to securely submit your payment. Once your payment is complete, you’ll be automatically redirected back to our website to share a few important details so we can best support your stay.

  1. Complete your payment
    You’ll choose your contribution amount on our secure Stripe payment page.

  2. Share your details and preferences
    After payment, you’ll be redirected to confirm your accommodation choice, share food preferences, complete any required waivers, and submit any questions for our team.

Payment is required before continuing to step two.

The cost for the Saturday night song and sound circle is $50+tax and includes the experience, potluck meal and optional overnight stay.

Click here to pay & then begin registration

QUESTIONS OR SPECIAL NEEDS?

We’re here for you! Contact Bala at contact@justloveforest.com for any questions or accommodations.

CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP

If you find yourself wanting to return again and again throughout the year, membership is a simple way to stay connected and supported.

Membership is for those who feel drawn to build ongoing relationships with the land and community showing up regularly, deepening friendships, and participating in the shared rhythm of service, ceremony, and care.

For $50 per month, members receive several benefits, including one of the most meaningful:

Members may attend the entire monthly Community Weekend for a flat contribution of $50.

That means you can join Friday meditation, Saturday service and song, and Sunday forest therapy without worrying about individual session costs. It’s our way of keeping these gatherings financially accessible while encouraging consistency and relationship over time.

Membership also supports the ongoing stewardship of Just Love Forest by helping care for the land, maintain shared spaces, and sustain a place where community can continue to gather with intention and heart.

There’s no pressure to attend every month. Membership simply creates a steady bridge between you and the forest, so you can come when you’re able and feel held when you do.

If you’re longing for a place to belong, not just to visit once, but to return to, membership may be the right next step.

Apply for Membership Here

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June Service and Community Gardening Day
Jun
20

June Service and Community Gardening Day

Many people arrive with a quiet desire to serve, paired with uncertainty about whether they have the “right” skills to offer. Saturday Service Day at Just Love Forest exists for exactly this place of curiosity.

This day is not about arriving with expertise. It is about arriving as you are - open, willing, and interested in discovering new ways to contribute. Each person brings something different: strength, patience, attentiveness, creativity, or simply a readiness to learn. Every form of participation is valued.

Together, participants care for the living systems that support both the land and the community. There is always ongoing work in the community garden, along with seasonal trail and grounds care, and special building projects designed to be accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. Everyone is encouraged to choose work that feels safe and comfortable for them. While learning is welcomed, personal safety and well-being always come first.

Service at Just Love Forest is not measured by productivity or output. It is understood as a pathway to purpose and interdependence - a way of remembering that community is built when people allow themselves to both offer support and receive it. Often, participants discover abilities they did not know they had simply by working alongside others.

The day includes time to work, pause, connect, and share a nourishing meal together. By the end of the afternoon, the land is more cared for, and so is the sense of belonging among those who gathered.

Saturday Service Day

Arrive by 10:30 AM

Lunch is provided for free and is vegan and plant-based

Please bring work gloves and sturdy shoes

Participants are encouraged to choose work that feels safe and comfortable

Most tools are provided; any additional requests will be shared in advance

If not staying for the evening sound and song program, participants should plan to depart at 4 PM

No special skills are required to take part. Presence, care, and willingness are what make the day meaningful.

We will contact you with exact details of the work projects the week before our gathering.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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Ram Dass Evenings - A Just Love Forest Ashram Satsang Gathering
Jun
19
to Jun 20

Ram Dass Evenings - A Just Love Forest Ashram Satsang Gathering

Be Here Friday
Satsang with the Teachings of Ram Dass

A Just Love Forest Ashram Inspired Event • Donation-Based Meditation Overnight
Friday Arrival at 4:30 PM

Be Here Fridays are an invitation to slow down and arrive.

As the week releases its grip, we gather in the forest to sit together as satsang (spiritual community) in shared presence, discussion, prayer, song and quiet companionship. These evenings are not about doing more, but about remembering what it feels like to simply be here now together.

Just Love Forest Ashram gatherings are open to all compassionate people and spiritual paths. Our roots are in the lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and the Bhakti Yoga tradition, the yoga of love and devotion. You don’t need any familiarity with these traditions to attend. An open heart and gentle curiosity are enough.

This gathering is entirely donation-based. Please offer what you can to help care for the land, share food, and sustain the space. Everyone is welcome.

The evening includes:

• Guided meditation, accessible to beginners and experienced practitioners alike
• Guided satsang discussions and readings to share our perspectives
• Pooja and Aarti, a simple ceremonial offering honoring the elements and directions through light, song, and prayer

This is a multi-faith, inclusive space. If you feel called, you’re welcome to bring a compassionate sacred object from your own tradition: spiritualist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, earth-based, or otherwise to place on the altar and receive blessings.

If meditation or ceremony feels unfamiliar or intimidating, please know that nothing is required of you. You’re welcome to sit, observe, breathe, and let yourself be held by the space. Respectful curiosity is more than enough.

We’ll share a nourishing Indian-themed dinner together before meditation.

You’re welcome to join us for the evening and depart around 8:00 PM, or stay overnight in one of our canvas bell tents. Both options are donation-based.

Saturday morning unfolds gently with:

• Meditation from 7:00–8:00 AM
• Pooja and Aarti from 8:00–8:30 AM
• Breakfast afterward

Join us in the forest.
Breathe. Sit. Pray. Listen.
Be here, together.

Everything for this gathering is donation-based. We’re grateful for your support in caring for this land and community.

Bala and Mitch are all certified Mindfulness Meditation Teachers, graduated from Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach's 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certificate Program through the Awareness Training Institute and the University of Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. As part of this 2-year program, they completed a 6-month DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accountability) training.

Learn more about the teachers

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

While the ashram is currently in formation as a nonprofit religious organization, retreats and gatherings at this time are hosted through Just Love LLC, the land-based retreat stewarding organization and are not tax deductible.

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June Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy
Jun
19
to Jun 21

June Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy

Immerse yourself in a weekend filled with meditation, service, a drum circle, and forest therapy, all within the warm embrace of our vibrant community. Connect with like-minded individuals and experience the healing power of nature and human connection.

Whether you're seeking relaxation, inner peace, or simply a chance to unwind in the company of wonderful people, this weekend promises to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Come join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and collective harmony.

We can't wait to share this enriching experience with you. See you there!

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UNTAMED: REWILDING THE FEMININE
Jun
11
to Jun 14

UNTAMED: REWILDING THE FEMININE

UNTAMED: REWILDING THE FEMININE

June 11th - 14th, 2026

Untamed: Rewilding the Feminine is an invitation into the ritual wild. A return to what has always lived beneath the surface. A remembering of the woman who existed before the softening pressures of expectation, the taming of instinct, and the weight of being good. This retreat is for every woman longing to shake off the domestication of shoulds and step into the raw, unedited pulse of her own life force.

Across four days held within the ancient quiet of the forest, we will journey through the elemental gateways of earth, fire, water, and sky. Together we will create a sacred container where grief and joy are not opposites but twin teachers. Through movement, breath, story, and silence we will reclaim the forgotten parts of ourselves, the ones that have waited patiently for space to speak again. This is a place where permission reigns. Where your inner wild woman is not only welcome but wanted.

Our time together will include spacious circles for sharing, guided journeys for remembering, and rituals shaped by the land itself. There will be moments of fierce clarity and moments of soft unraveling, opportunities to rest in sisterhood and opportunities to stand alone beneath the canopy of trees and hear your own heartbeat again. We honor the thresholds each woman carries into this gathering: the losses that altered her, the longings she has not yet spoken, the quiet wisdom she has not yet trusted.

Evenings will invite a deeper descent. Firelight ceremonies. Drum and breath. Gentle forest wanders. Conversations that drift between laughter and tears. Mornings will offer grounding practices, movement to awaken the body, and invitations to meet yourself with tenderness. The pace is intentional, allowing each participant to choose how deeply she steps in. Nothing is forced. Everything is allowed.

Untamed is not about becoming someone new. It is about remembering someone ancient. The woman who knows how to listen to her body, honor her rhythms, and speak from her bones. The woman who has survived loss and still loves. The woman who is both gentle and unbreakable.

The work is deep, but the invitation is simple: come exactly as you are, especially the parts that feel inconvenient, too much, not enough, or still finding their voice. Bring your grief. Bring your wonder. Bring the wild threads of yourself that have waited for a place to belong.

We will hold them all.

Limited to 20 women.

Registration IS NOW OPEN!

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JUNE Hanuman Tuesdays
Jun
2

JUNE Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays 🧡

A weekly devotional day Held By JUST LOVE FOREST ASHRAM for gathering and practicing independently in nature

REGISTER For any June Dates: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th USING THE LINK BELOW

JOIN US FOR A DONATION-BASED DAY OF INTENTION & DEVOTION AT JUST LOVE FOREST

Arrival by 10:00 AM

Day practice · Optional evening puja · Optional overnight stay

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

Tuesdays are traditionally dedicated to Hanuman, the embodiment of courage, humility, strength, and selfless service. We honor this through intentional conversation, simplicity, and time for personal spiritual practice on the land.

The Day

We gather at 10:00 a.m. for a brief welcome and orientation.

After introductions, we enter quiet for the remainder of the day.

Participants are invited to hike to Bhakti Mountain, a sacred 40-minute walk through the forest. At the top, you’re welcome to sit in quiet practice, read spiritual texts, reflect, pray, or simply rest in the beauty of the land.

If the walk does not feel right for you, you’re welcome to remain at Basecamp in our meditation yurt.

Independent personal practice is held from approximately 1:00–5:00 p.m.

There is no group facilitation during the silent hours; this time is yours.

Meals & Evening Options

Please bring your own lunch to enjoy quietly during the day.

You’re welcome to:

  • Depart quietly at 6:00 p.m., or

  • Stay for a simple plant-based dinner that we provide at 6:30 p.m., followed by

  • Puja & Aarti from 7:30–8:30 p.m., departing before the gates close at 9:00 p.m.

For those staying overnight:

  • Quiet hours begin at 9:00 p.m.

  • Morning Puja & Aarti at 6:30 a.m.

  • A light, plant-based breakfast that we will provide around 9:00 a.m.

  • Departure by 10:00 a.m.

Shared Agreements

Phones are turned off or fully silenced upon arrival to support presence and inward listening.

To preserve the peace of the land and the shared container:

  • No pets (unless previously discussed)

  • No alcohol

  • No smoking

  • Food brought onto the land must be vegan or vegetarian

This space is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who are rooted in compassion. If devotional practices are new to you, you’re warmly welcome. Come with curiosity, humility, and an open heart.

What to Bring

  • Your own vegan or vegetarian lunch

  • A personal water bottle

  • Comfortable shoes with good traction

  • An optional small offering for the forest or Bhakti Mountain (flower, fruit, or poem)

  • Journal or spiritual texts (optional)

  • Sunscreen or rain layer if needed

  • Flashlight if staying past dark

  • Personal spiritual musical instrument (non-electronic)

If staying overnight:

  • Queen-size top & bottom sheets

  • Pillow & case

  • Blankets

  • Toiletries

  • Season and weather-appropriate clothing

Offering (Dāna)

Everything for this practice is offered on a donation basis to help care for the land and sustain the Ashram.

Suggested offerings:

  • Day pilgrimage & silent practice: Dāna any amount (optional)

  • Dinner & overnight stay: $30–50 suggested donation

Give what you’re able. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Join us in the Ashram.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Just Love, always,

Bala & Nivay

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GAY by NATURE
May
28
to May 31

GAY by NATURE

Gay by Nature
OUR 3rd Gathering for Gay Men
May 28–31, 2026

A nature-rooted gathering designed by gay men, for gay men, held in the heart of Just Love Forest in Poetry, Georgia. Gay by Nature is a soulful weekend retreat where gay men from all walks of life come together to breathe deeply, speak honestly, and remember who they are beneath the surface.

This experience is about slowing down, reconnecting with your inner life, and rediscovering the joy of brotherhood in an unhurried, supportive forest setting. Over the course of three days you’ll share nourishing plant-based meals, hike through vibrant late spring forests, gather in fire circles for heartfelt conversations, explore movement and yoga, and rest in spacious silence and community.

Gay by Nature meets you where you are, whether you’re seeking rest, healing, deeper connection, spiritual renewal, friendship, or simply time to be present with others who understand. You’re welcome here in your fullness, your softness, your questions, and your story.

This retreat invites you to rest, be seen, and be gay by nature - slowing down with kindred spirits and the forest as your teachers.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Questions? contact@justloveforest.com

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may FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”
May
24

may FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”

Forest Therapy Day at Just Love Forest

Come experience the transitions of the season through a slow, sensory immersion in the forest. Color, texture, sound, scent, and the subtle movement of wind and light will be noticed using all of your senses. This day is designed to help you step out of urgency and into a more natural rhythm of presence, connection, and rest.

Arrival and Opening Circle

Please plan to arrive by 10:30 AM. We will gather in our yurt to begin the day together with a gentle rose tea ceremony, offering time to arrive fully and connect with one another. This opening circle includes deep, spacious introductions, an orientation to the day, and a sharing of the history of the land and its living lineage. This time helps create safety, trust, and a shared container for the experience ahead.

A nourishing plant-based lunch will be served late morning, allowing us to settle, ground, and prepare our bodies for the afternoon in the forest.

Forest Therapy Experience

Around 1:00 PM, we will transition into the forest for approximately three hours of guided forest therapy. We typically begin by honoring the land and all beings who live here, stating intentions, and asking permission to enter into deeper relationship with the forest.

Guided by a certified forest therapy guide, you will be offered a series of simple, open ended invitations designed to support nervous system regulation, sensory awareness, and connection with the living world. This is not a hike and there is no destination to reach. We move slowly, with frequent pauses, allowing the forest to meet each person where they are.

Closing Circle and Forest Tea

We will return from the forest in the late afternoon for a closing forest tea ceremony, usually around 4:30 PM. The tea is always something unique and seasonal, foraged or prepared in relationship with the forest and the time of year. We will share closing reflections and offer space to gently integrate the day before departing around 5:00 PM.

About Forest Therapy

Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku, is a guided practice that supports mental, emotional, and physical well being through intentional time spent in forest environments.

The medicine received from nature is multifaceted. Psychologically, time in the forest supports calm, clarity, and emotional regulation through quiet, color, and sensory richness. Physiologically, research has shown that time spent in forests increases exposure to phytoncides, the organic compounds released by trees. These compounds have been linked to increased activity of natural killer (NK) cells, an important component of immune function, while also supporting heart health and reducing stress hormones in the body.

After several hours of peaceful immersion, many people leave feeling more grounded, connected, and at ease across mental, emotional, and physical dimensions of their being.

Contribution

The cost for Forest Therapy is $125 + tax for the Sunday experience

After registering, you will be directed to a payment page

If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to email contact@justloveforest.com.
We look forward to welcoming you into the forest.

REGISTER HERE

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May Green Burial Tour
May
24

May Green Burial Tour

“Become the Forest”

Our green burial grounds, within the embrace of the Just Love community, honor the cycles of life and death with profound reverence. Our green burial sanctuary in Poetry, Georgia, just outside of Rome, is a sacred space where nature, healing, and community intertwine. Here, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the forest, we offer green burial and cremation burial for both beloved humans and pets - a return to the earth that celebrates life.

At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to healing - through nature, ritual, and meaningful connection. Our offerings are uniquely integrated within a vibrant, nature-centered community. With the compassionate guidance of death doulas and support that honors your story, we create a space where love and transformation are held sacred.

This is more than a resting place; it is a sacred partnership with the earth, an invitation to become the forest.

We have 3 burial sites: Bhakti Mountain Summit, The Sacred Forest, and our pet burial ground, Circle of Paws. You can explore them all.

Upcoming free tours for 2026 are: February 15th, April 5th, May 24th, June 21st, August 30th, September 20th, October 18th

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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may Song & Sound Circle
May
23
to May 24

may Song & Sound Circle

Song & Sound Circle

Many people arrive at the Sound & Song Circle carrying a quiet longing to connect, paired with uncertainty about whether they have a “good voice,” musical experience, or anything to offer.

This gathering exists precisely for that tender edge.

The Sound & Song Circle is not a performance space. It is a shared listening space—one where voices, instruments, silence, and simple presence are all equally welcome. Some participants sing freely. Others hum softly, keep rhythm, or simply sit and receive the sound. Every way of being is valued.

Together, we create a field of sound that is less about making music and more about feeling resonance—within ourselves, with one another, and with the forest around us. Songs may be simple chants, familiar melodies, improvised tones, or wordless sound. Instruments are welcome, but not required. Your voice, breath, or attentive listening is enough.

There is no pressure to sing alone, lead, or share unless you feel called. You are always free to participate in the way that feels safest and most nourishing for you. Many people discover that their voice naturally emerges over time, simply by being held in the collective sound.

The circle unfolds slowly, with room for pauses, laughter, emotion, and rest. The forest itself becomes part of the experience - holding the sound, echoing it back, and grounding the gathering in place.

Sound & Song at Just Love Forest is a practice of attunement and belonging. It reminds us that community is built not by perfection, but by showing up and allowing ourselves to be heard, or simply to listen, together.

By the end of the evening, many leave feeling more open, more settled, and quietly connected to something larger than themselves.

––––––––––
Sound & Song Circle

Arrive at 4:30 PM

All voices and levels of experience are welcome

Instruments are optional; listening is participation

You may sing, hum, drum, sit quietly, or come and go as needed

This is a substance-free, family-friendly gathering

If you are also attending the Service Day, participants should plan to stay on site through the evening

No musical skill is required. Presence, curiosity, and care are what make the circle meaningful.

We will share any additional details the week of the gathering.

Potluck Dinner (Vegan & Vegetarian)

Our evening begins with a shared vegan and vegetarian potluck meal. Participants are invited to bring a dish to share with the group.

We typically gather with around 15 people, so a modest dish that can serve several is perfect. Please also bring your own serving dish and serving utensils, as these are not provided on site.

If you’re new to potlucks or unsure what to bring, simple offerings are always appreciated - soups, salads, grain dishes, roasted vegetables, breads, or fruit are all wonderful choices.

Sharing a meal together is an important part of the evening, offering a chance to connect, settle in, and arrive fully before entering the Sound & Song Circle.

How Registration Works

Registration happens in two simple steps.

When you click one of the links below, you’ll first be taken to Stripe to securely submit your payment. Once your payment is complete, you’ll be automatically redirected back to our website to share a few important details so we can best support your stay.

  1. Complete your payment
    You’ll choose your contribution amount on our secure Stripe payment page.

  2. Share your details and preferences
    After payment, you’ll be redirected to confirm your accommodation choice, share food preferences, complete any required waivers, and submit any questions for our team.

Payment is required before continuing to step two.

The cost for the Saturday night song and sound circle is $50+tax and includes the experience, potluck meal and optional overnight stay.

Click here to pay & then begin registration

QUESTIONS OR SPECIAL NEEDS?

We’re here for you! Contact Bala at contact@justloveforest.com for any questions or accommodations.

CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP

If you find yourself wanting to return again and again throughout the year, membership is a simple way to stay connected and supported.

Membership is for those who feel drawn to build ongoing relationships with the land and community showing up regularly, deepening friendships, and participating in the shared rhythm of service, ceremony, and care.

For $50 per month, members receive several benefits, including one of the most meaningful:

Members may attend the entire monthly Community Weekend for a flat contribution of $50.

That means you can join Friday meditation, Saturday service and song, and Sunday forest therapy without worrying about individual session costs. It’s our way of keeping these gatherings financially accessible while encouraging consistency and relationship over time.

Membership also supports the ongoing stewardship of Just Love Forest by helping care for the land, maintain shared spaces, and sustain a place where community can continue to gather with intention and heart.

There’s no pressure to attend every month. Membership simply creates a steady bridge between you and the forest, so you can come when you’re able and feel held when you do.

If you’re longing for a place to belong, not just to visit once, but to return to, membership may be the right next step.

Apply for Membership Here

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May Service and Community Gardening Day
May
23

May Service and Community Gardening Day

Many people arrive with a quiet desire to serve, paired with uncertainty about whether they have the “right” skills to offer. Saturday Service Day at Just Love Forest exists for exactly this place of curiosity.

This day is not about arriving with expertise. It is about arriving as you are - open, willing, and interested in discovering new ways to contribute. Each person brings something different: strength, patience, attentiveness, creativity, or simply a readiness to learn. Every form of participation is valued.

Together, participants care for the living systems that support both the land and the community. There is always ongoing work in the community garden, along with seasonal trail and grounds care, and special building projects designed to be accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. Everyone is encouraged to choose work that feels safe and comfortable for them. While learning is welcomed, personal safety and well-being always come first.

Service at Just Love Forest is not measured by productivity or output. It is understood as a pathway to purpose and interdependence - a way of remembering that community is built when people allow themselves to both offer support and receive it. Often, participants discover abilities they did not know they had simply by working alongside others.

The day includes time to work, pause, connect, and share a nourishing meal together. By the end of the afternoon, the land is more cared for, and so is the sense of belonging among those who gathered.

Saturday Service Day

Arrive by 10:30 AM

Lunch is provided for free and is vegan and plant-based

Please bring work gloves and sturdy shoes

Participants are encouraged to choose work that feels safe and comfortable

Most tools are provided; any additional requests will be shared in advance

If not staying for the evening sound and song program, participants should plan to depart at 4 PM

No special skills are required to take part. Presence, care, and willingness are what make the day meaningful.

We will contact you with exact details of the work projects the week before our gathering.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

View Event →
may Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy
May
22
to May 24

may Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy

Immerse yourself in a weekend filled with meditation, service, a drum circle, and forest therapy, all within the warm embrace of our vibrant community. Connect with like-minded individuals and experience the healing power of nature and human connection.

Whether you're seeking relaxation, inner peace, or simply a chance to unwind in the company of wonderful people, this weekend promises to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Come join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and collective harmony.

We can't wait to share this enriching experience with you. See you there!

View Event →
Ram Dass Evenings - A Just Love Forest Ashram Satsang Gathering
May
22
to May 23

Ram Dass Evenings - A Just Love Forest Ashram Satsang Gathering

Be Here Friday
Satsang with the Teachings of Ram Dass

A Just Love Forest Ashram Inspired Event • Donation-Based Meditation Overnight
Friday Arrival at 4:30 PM

Be Here Fridays are an invitation to slow down and arrive.

As the week releases its grip, we gather in the forest to sit together as satsang (spiritual community) in shared presence, discussion, prayer, song and quiet companionship. These evenings are not about doing more, but about remembering what it feels like to simply be here now together.

Just Love Forest Ashram gatherings are open to all compassionate people and spiritual paths. Our roots are in the lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and the Bhakti Yoga tradition, the yoga of love and devotion. You don’t need any familiarity with these traditions to attend. An open heart and gentle curiosity are enough.

This gathering is entirely donation-based. Please offer what you can to help care for the land, share food, and sustain the space. Everyone is welcome.

The evening includes:

• Guided meditation, accessible to beginners and experienced practitioners alike
• Guided satsang discussions and readings to share our perspectives
• Pooja and Aarti, a simple ceremonial offering honoring the elements and directions through light, song, and prayer

This is a multi-faith, inclusive space. If you feel called, you’re welcome to bring a compassionate sacred object from your own tradition: spiritualist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, earth-based, or otherwise to place on the altar and receive blessings.

If meditation or ceremony feels unfamiliar or intimidating, please know that nothing is required of you. You’re welcome to sit, observe, breathe, and let yourself be held by the space. Respectful curiosity is more than enough.

We’ll share a nourishing Indian-themed dinner together before meditation.

You’re welcome to join us for the evening and depart around 8:00 PM, or stay overnight in one of our canvas bell tents. Both options are donation-based.

Saturday morning unfolds gently with:

• Meditation from 7:00–8:00 AM
• Pooja and Aarti from 8:00–8:30 AM
• Breakfast afterward

Join us in the forest.
Breathe. Sit. Pray. Listen.
Be here, together.

Everything for this gathering is donation-based. We’re grateful for your support in caring for this land and community.

Bala and Mitch are all certified Mindfulness Meditation Teachers, graduated from Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach's 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certificate Program through the Awareness Training Institute and the University of Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. As part of this 2-year program, they completed a 6-month DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accountability) training.

Learn more about the teachers

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

While the ashram is currently in formation as a nonprofit religious organization, retreats and gatherings at this time are hosted through Just Love LLC, the land-based retreat stewarding organization and are not tax deductible.

View Event →
MAY Hanuman Tuesdays
May
19

MAY Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays 🧡

A weekly devotional day Held By JUST LOVE FOREST ASHRAM for gathering and practicing independently in nature

REGISTER For any MAY Dates: 19TH, 26th USING THE LINK BELOW

JOIN US FOR A DONATION-BASED DAY OF INTENTION & DEVOTION AT JUST LOVE FOREST

Arrival by 10:00 AM

Day practice · Optional evening puja · Optional overnight stay

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

Tuesdays are traditionally dedicated to Hanuman, the embodiment of courage, humility, strength, and selfless service. We honor this through intentional conversation, simplicity, and time for personal spiritual practice on the land.

The Day

We gather at 10:00 a.m. for a brief welcome and orientation.

After introductions, we enter quiet for the remainder of the day.

Participants are invited to hike to Bhakti Mountain, a sacred 40-minute walk through the forest. At the top, you’re welcome to sit in quiet practice, read spiritual texts, reflect, pray, or simply rest in the beauty of the land.

If the walk does not feel right for you, you’re welcome to remain at Basecamp in our meditation yurt.

Independent personal practice is held from approximately 1:00–5:00 p.m.

There is no group facilitation during the silent hours; this time is yours.

Meals & Evening Options

Please bring your own lunch to enjoy quietly during the day.

You’re welcome to:

  • Depart quietly at 6:00 p.m., or

  • Stay for a simple plant-based dinner that we provide at 6:30 p.m., followed by

  • Puja & Aarti from 7:30–8:30 p.m., departing before the gates close at 9:00 p.m.

For those staying overnight:

  • Quiet hours begin at 9:00 p.m.

  • Morning Puja & Aarti at 6:30 a.m.

  • A light, plant-based breakfast that we will provide around 9:00 a.m.

  • Departure by 10:00 a.m.

Shared Agreements

Phones are turned off or fully silenced upon arrival to support presence and inward listening.

To preserve the peace of the land and the shared container:

  • No pets (unless previously discussed)

  • No alcohol

  • No smoking

  • Food brought onto the land must be vegan or vegetarian

This space is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who are rooted in compassion. If devotional practices are new to you, you’re warmly welcome. Come with curiosity, humility, and an open heart.

What to Bring

  • Your own vegan or vegetarian lunch

  • A personal water bottle

  • Comfortable shoes with good traction

  • An optional small offering for the forest or Bhakti Mountain (flower, fruit, or poem)

  • Journal or spiritual texts (optional)

  • Sunscreen or rain layer if needed

  • Flashlight if staying past dark

  • Personal spiritual musical instrument (non-electronic)

If staying overnight:

  • Queen-size top & bottom sheets

  • Pillow & case

  • Blankets

  • Toiletries

  • Season and weather-appropriate clothing

Offering (Dāna)

Everything for this practice is offered on a donation basis to help care for the land and sustain the Ashram.

Suggested offerings:

  • Day pilgrimage & silent practice: Dāna any amount (optional)

  • Dinner & overnight stay: $30–50 suggested donation

Give what you’re able. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Join us in the Ashram.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Just Love, always,

Bala & Nivay

View Event →
MAY Hermitage Experience
May
2
to May 15

MAY Hermitage Experience

Hermitage at Just Love Forest

The Hermitage at Just Love Forest is an intentional, land-based experience of solitude, simplicity, and deep listening. Rooted in a long human lineage of seekers, mystics, artists, and everyday people who stepped into periods of intentional seclusion, hermitage here offers a refuge from modern noise and distraction, inviting participants to return to clarity and presence.

Duration

Hermitage experiences are held within a shared container, with all participants beginning on the same start date. Minimum stays: eco-village is 3 days, deep forest is 4 days. This allows enough time to settle, listen, and arrive more fully. From there, the length of each stay is individualized, with end dates shaped by the participant's needs and set to the final date listed for that session. This structure allows for both continuity and flexibility, honoring different rhythms while supporting the care of the land.

Guests arrive together for orientation and an exploration of the land, then settle into quiet, solo time in either an eco-village bell tent or a more secluded forest site, with the forest itself serving as their teacher and silence as their guide. The experience is not a conventional retreat or program to complete; there is no prescribed agenda, only space to rest, reflect, create, or simply be. Hermitage is shaped collaboratively through pre-arrival consultation and held with care for both the individual and the integrity of the land.

Consultation

This 60-minute consultation is the first step in co-creating a personalized hermitage experience at Just Love Forest. After scheduling, you’ll complete a brief questionnaire to guide the conversation. Together, we’ll explore where you are, what you most need, and your intentions for retreat time. We’ll discuss timing, levels of support, and recommend a structure aligned with your energy, goals, and capacity. You’ll also have space to ask questions so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Consultation fee: $50

CLICK TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

For general questions, please don’t hesitate to connect with us at contact@justloveforest.com

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Intimacy & Connection Retreat
Apr
24
to Apr 26

Intimacy & Connection Retreat

Intimacy & connection Retreat

Registration is now open by clicking here

Intimacy & Connection Retreat
April 24–26 · Just Love Forest, Poetry, Georgia

The Intimacy & Connection Retreat at Just Love Forest is a deeply immersive weekend for individuals who feel called to open the heart, deepen self-awareness, and cultivate more authentic, nourishing relationships.

Held in the quiet embrace of 716 acres of protected forest, this retreat invites you to slow down and explore intimacy from the inside out. Rather than focusing on fixing what’s broken, this experience is about discovering what’s possible — how you listen, how you express yourself, how you create safety and trust, and how you meet others with presence, clarity, and care.

Through forest therapy, somatic and embodiment practices, ritual, movement, communication tools, and time in nature, you’ll be guided to soften old defenses, release held emotions, and reconnect with your natural capacity for openness, joy, and connection. The practices are gentle, permission-based, and designed to support both personal insight and real-world relational growth.

This retreat is for individuals - single, partnered, or in transition - who want to deepen intimacy in all its forms: romantic, platonic, familial, communal, and most importantly, with themselves. You’ll leave with embodied tools for clearer communication, healthier boundaries, deeper listening, and greater ease in relationship.

Facilitated by Christina Della Iacono, Laura Sánchez, and Bala Yancey, the weekend includes guided ceremonies, forest immersion, movement and sound journeys, relational skill-building, and spacious time to rest and integrate. Lodging is provided in comfortable canvas bell tents, along with nourishing plant-based meals.

This is an invitation to come as you are, listen deeply, and remember what it feels like to meet yourself and others with honesty, warmth, and love.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

WATCH THE ZOOM CHAT

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april Hanuman Tuesdays
Apr
7

april Hanuman Tuesdays

Hanuman Tuesdays 🧡

A weekly devotional day Held By JUST LOVE FOREST ASHRAM for gathering and practicing independently in nature

REGISTER For any APRIL Dates: 7TH, 21ST, 28th USING THE LINK BELOW

JOIN US FOR A DONATION-BASED DAY OF INTENTION & DEVOTION AT JUST LOVE FOREST

Arrival by 10:00 AM

Day practice · Optional evening puja · Optional overnight stay

Hanuman Tuesdays are held as a quiet, devotional day for spiritual practice at Just Love Forest, a forest ashram rooted in the living traditions and lineage of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass, and guided by the path of Bhakti Yoga the yoga of love, service, and devotion.

Tuesdays are traditionally dedicated to Hanuman, the embodiment of courage, humility, strength, and selfless service. We honor this through intentional conversation, simplicity, and time for personal spiritual practice on the land.

The Day

We gather at 10:00 a.m. for a brief welcome and orientation.

After introductions, we enter quiet for the remainder of the day.

Participants are invited to hike to Bhakti Mountain, a sacred 40-minute walk through the forest. At the top, you’re welcome to sit in quiet practice, read spiritual texts, reflect, pray, or simply rest in the beauty of the land.

If the walk does not feel right for you, you’re welcome to remain at Basecamp in our meditation yurt.

Independent personal practice is held from approximately 1:00–5:00 p.m.

There is no group facilitation during the silent hours; this time is yours.

Meals & Evening Options

Please bring your own lunch to enjoy quietly during the day.

You’re welcome to:

  • Depart quietly at 6:00 p.m., or

  • Stay for a simple plant-based dinner that we provide at 6:30 p.m., followed by

  • Puja & Aarti from 7:30–8:30 p.m., departing before the gates close at 9:00 p.m.

For those staying overnight:

  • Quiet hours begin at 9:00 p.m.

  • Morning Puja & Aarti at 6:30 a.m.

  • A light, plant-based breakfast that we will provide around 9:00 a.m.

  • Departure by 10:00 a.m.

Shared Agreements

Phones are turned off or fully silenced upon arrival to support presence and inward listening.

To preserve the peace of the land and the shared container:

  • No pets (unless previously discussed)

  • No alcohol

  • No smoking

  • Food brought onto the land must be vegan or vegetarian

This space is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who are rooted in compassion. If devotional practices are new to you, you’re warmly welcome. Come with curiosity, humility, and an open heart.

What to Bring

  • Your own vegan or vegetarian lunch

  • A personal water bottle

  • Comfortable shoes with good traction

  • An optional small offering for the forest or Bhakti Mountain (flower, fruit, or poem)

  • Journal or spiritual texts (optional)

  • Sunscreen or rain layer if needed

  • Flashlight if staying past dark

  • Personal spiritual musical instrument (non-electronic)

If staying overnight:

  • Queen-size top & bottom sheets

  • Pillow & case

  • Blankets

  • Toiletries

  • Season and weather-appropriate clothing

Offering (Dāna)

Everything for this practice is offered on a donation basis to help care for the land and sustain the Ashram.

Suggested offerings:

  • Day pilgrimage & silent practice: Dāna any amount (optional)

  • Dinner & overnight stay: $30–50 suggested donation

Give what you’re able. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Join us in the Ashram.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Just Love, always,

Bala & Nivay

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April Green Burial Tour
Apr
5

April Green Burial Tour

“Become the Forest”

Our green burial grounds, within the embrace of the Just Love community, honor the cycles of life and death with profound reverence. Our green burial sanctuary in Poetry, Georgia, just outside of Rome, is a sacred space where nature, healing, and community intertwine. Here, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the forest, we offer green burial and cremation burial for both beloved humans and pets - a return to the earth that celebrates life.

At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to healing - through nature, ritual, and meaningful connection. Our offerings are uniquely integrated within a vibrant, nature-centered community. With the compassionate guidance of death doulas and support that honors your story, we create a space where love and transformation are held sacred.

This is more than a resting place; it is a sacred partnership with the earth, an invitation to become the forest.

We have 3 burial sites: Bhakti Mountain Summit, The Sacred Forest, and our pet burial ground, Circle of Paws. You can explore them all.

Upcoming free tours for 2026 are: February 15th, April 5th, May 24th, June 21st, August 30th, September 20th, October 18th

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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APRIL FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”
Apr
5

APRIL FOREST THERAPY - the Japanese Practice of Shinrin yoku, “Forest Bathing”

Forest Therapy Day at Just Love Forest

Come experience the transitions of the season through a slow, sensory immersion in the forest. Color, texture, sound, scent, and the subtle movement of wind and light will be noticed using all of your senses. This day is designed to help you step out of urgency and into a more natural rhythm of presence, connection, and rest.

Arrival and Opening Circle

Please plan to arrive by 10:30 AM. We will gather in our yurt to begin the day together with a gentle rose tea ceremony, offering time to arrive fully and connect with one another. This opening circle includes deep, spacious introductions, an orientation to the day, and a sharing of the history of the land and its living lineage. This time helps create safety, trust, and a shared container for the experience ahead.

A nourishing plant-based lunch will be served late morning, allowing us to settle, ground, and prepare our bodies for the afternoon in the forest.

Forest Therapy Experience

Around 1:00 PM, we will transition into the forest for approximately three hours of guided forest therapy. We typically begin by honoring the land and all beings who live here, stating intentions, and asking permission to enter into deeper relationship with the forest.

Guided by a certified forest therapy guide, you will be offered a series of simple, open ended invitations designed to support nervous system regulation, sensory awareness, and connection with the living world. This is not a hike and there is no destination to reach. We move slowly, with frequent pauses, allowing the forest to meet each person where they are.

Closing Circle and Forest Tea

We will return from the forest in the late afternoon for a closing forest tea ceremony, usually around 4:30 PM. The tea is always something unique and seasonal, foraged or prepared in relationship with the forest and the time of year. We will share closing reflections and offer space to gently integrate the day before departing around 5:00 PM.

About Forest Therapy

Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku, is a guided practice that supports mental, emotional, and physical well being through intentional time spent in forest environments.

The medicine received from nature is multifaceted. Psychologically, time in the forest supports calm, clarity, and emotional regulation through quiet, color, and sensory richness. Physiologically, research has shown that time spent in forests increases exposure to phytoncides, the organic compounds released by trees. These compounds have been linked to increased activity of natural killer (NK) cells, an important component of immune function, while also supporting heart health and reducing stress hormones in the body.

After several hours of peaceful immersion, many people leave feeling more grounded, connected, and at ease across mental, emotional, and physical dimensions of their being.

Contribution

The cost for Forest Therapy is $125 + tax for the Sunday experience

After registering, you will be directed to a payment page

If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to email contact@justloveforest.com.
We look forward to welcoming you into the forest.

REGISTER HERE

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April Song & Sound Circle: Special kirtan with Aaron Condon
Apr
4
to Apr 5

April Song & Sound Circle: Special kirtan with Aaron Condon

Special kirtan for Hanuman’s Birthday

This will be a special edition of our Sound & Song Circle.

For this gathering, we’ll be coming together in kirtan.

If you’ve never experienced kirtan before, it’s a simple and powerful practice of collective chanting, often in a call-and-response style, where we sing together, repeating mantras or sacred names. It’s not about performance or musical skill. It’s about connection, presence, and entering into a shared field of sound.

Many people arrive carrying a quiet longing to connect, along with uncertainty about whether they have a “good voice” or anything to offer.

This space exists precisely for that.

You don’t need to know the chants.
You don’t need to sing “well.”
You don’t need to share anything at all.

You can sing, hum, listen, or simply sit and receive. Every way of being is welcome.

We’re honored to have our satsang brother, Aaron Condon, joining us from South Carolina to lead this special evening of kirtan.

This particular gathering will be in celebration of Hanuman Jayanti, Hanuman’s birthday.

Hanuman, in the bhakti tradition, represents courage, devotion, and selfless service. While this comes from a specific lineage, this gathering is open to all paths and all people. You don’t need to identify with any tradition to join.

You’re simply invited to come and experience what happens when we gather in shared intention, sound, and presence.

As the chants repeat, something begins to shift. The mind softens. The heart opens. A deeper sense of connection naturally arises—within yourself, with others, and with the forest around you.

The evening will unfold gently, with space for stillness, sound, emotion, and rest.

This is not about getting it right.
It’s about showing up.

And allowing yourself to be part of something shared.

Join us.

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Sound & Song Circle

Arrive at 4:30 PM

All voices and levels of experience are welcome

Instruments are optional; listening is participation

You may sing, hum, drum, sit quietly, or come and go as needed

This is a substance-free, family-friendly gathering

If you are also attending the Service Day, participants should plan to stay on site through the evening

No musical skill is required. Presence, curiosity, and care are what make the circle meaningful.

We will share any additional details the week of the gathering.

Potluck Dinner (Vegan & Vegetarian)

Our evening begins with a shared vegan and vegetarian potluck meal. Participants are invited to bring a dish to share with the group.

We typically gather with around 15 people, so a modest dish that can serve several is perfect. Please also bring your own serving dish and serving utensils, as these are not provided on site.

If you’re new to potlucks or unsure what to bring, simple offerings are always appreciated - soups, salads, grain dishes, roasted vegetables, breads, or fruit are all wonderful choices.

Sharing a meal together is an important part of the evening, offering a chance to connect, settle in, and arrive fully before entering the Sound & Song Circle.

How Registration Works

Registration happens in two simple steps.

When you click one of the links below, you’ll first be taken to Stripe to securely submit your payment. Once your payment is complete, you’ll be automatically redirected back to our website to share a few important details so we can best support your stay.

  1. Complete your payment
    You’ll choose your contribution amount on our secure Stripe payment page.

  2. Share your details and preferences
    After payment, you’ll be redirected to confirm your accommodation choice, share food preferences, complete any required waivers, and submit any questions for our team.

Payment is required before continuing to step two.‍ ‍

The cost for the Saturday night song and sound circle is $50+tax and includes the experience, potluck meal and optional overnight stay.

Click here to pay & then begin registration

QUESTIONS OR SPECIAL NEEDS?

We’re here for you! Contact Bala at contact@justloveforest.com for any questions or accommodations.

CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP

If you find yourself wanting to return again and again throughout the year, membership is a simple way to stay connected and supported.

Membership is for those who feel drawn to build ongoing relationships with the land and community showing up regularly, deepening friendships, and participating in the shared rhythm of service, ceremony, and care.

For $50 per month, members receive several benefits, including one of the most meaningful:

Members may attend the entire monthly Community Weekend for a flat contribution of $50.

That means you can join Friday meditation, Saturday service and song, and Sunday forest therapy without worrying about individual session costs. It’s our way of keeping these gatherings financially accessible while encouraging consistency and relationship over time.

Membership also supports the ongoing stewardship of Just Love Forest by helping care for the land, maintain shared spaces, and sustain a place where community can continue to gather with intention and heart.

There’s no pressure to attend every month. Membership simply creates a steady bridge between you and the forest, so you can come when you’re able and feel held when you do.

If you’re longing for a place to belong, not just to visit once, but to return to, membership may be the right next step.

Apply for Membership Here

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April Service and Community Gardening Day
Apr
4

April Service and Community Gardening Day

Many people arrive with a quiet desire to serve, paired with uncertainty about whether they have the “right” skills to offer. Saturday Service Day at Just Love Forest exists for exactly this place of curiosity.

This day is not about arriving with expertise. It is about arriving as you are - open, willing, and interested in discovering new ways to contribute. Each person brings something different: strength, patience, attentiveness, creativity, or simply a readiness to learn. Every form of participation is valued.

Together, participants care for the living systems that support both the land and the community. There is always ongoing work in the community garden, along with seasonal trail and grounds care, and special building projects designed to be accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. Everyone is encouraged to choose work that feels safe and comfortable for them. While learning is welcomed, personal safety and well-being always come first.

Service at Just Love Forest is not measured by productivity or output. It is understood as a pathway to purpose and interdependence - a way of remembering that community is built when people allow themselves to both offer support and receive it. Often, participants discover abilities they did not know they had simply by working alongside others.

The day includes time to work, pause, connect, and share a nourishing meal together. By the end of the afternoon, the land is more cared for, and so is the sense of belonging among those who gathered.

Saturday Service Day

Arrive by 10:30 AM

Lunch is provided for free and is vegan and plant-based

Please bring work gloves and sturdy shoes

Participants are encouraged to choose work that feels safe and comfortable

Most tools are provided; any additional requests will be shared in advance

If not staying for the evening sound and song program, participants should plan to depart at 4 PM

No special skills are required to take part. Presence, care, and willingness are what make the day meaningful.

We will contact you with exact details of the work projects the week before our gathering.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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APRIL Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy
Apr
3
to Apr 5

APRIL Just Love Forest Community Weekend: Meditation, Service, Sound Circle & Forest Therapy

Immerse yourself in a weekend filled with meditation, service, a drum circle, and forest therapy, all within the warm embrace of our vibrant community. Connect with like-minded individuals and experience the healing power of nature and human connection.

Whether you're seeking relaxation, inner peace, or simply a chance to unwind in the company of wonderful people, this weekend promises to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Come join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and collective harmony.

We can't wait to share this enriching experience with you. See you there!

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