MaR 20 - 22, 2026
The second devotional nature retreat created in friendship between the satsangs of The Sacred Community Project and Just Love Forest Ashram
Loving Awareness Retreat with Sitaram Dass
Awakening the Heart through the Path of Grace
An inter-spiritual retreat rooted in the lineage of Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba and centering the teachings of Bhakti Yoga and Buddhism.
Anchored with mantra, meditation, and ritual, the core practice of this retreat is Loving Awareness. We practice seeing the Divine everywhere, in nature, in each other, and in ourselves, and we act in reverence to this Truth. In this way, we help each other awaken from separation and into the heart of Love.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
-
Sitaram Dass
Sitaram Dass (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is a published author, teacher, kirtan singer, therapist, and lover of God. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to provide affordable, free, and donation-based offerings as a praxis of Sacred Community. His new book, From and for God, is an intimate and contemplative collection of writings on the spiritual path. Learn more at sitaramdass.com
-
Bala
Bala (he/him) is the founder & head steward of Just Love Forest. After a spiritual awakening in 2017, he met Ram Dass. His path ultimately lead him to create a 716 acre forest sanctuary for healing. He finds truth in nature. He’s a meditation teacher certified as part of Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Program of the University of California at Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. He’s also a forest therapy guide, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Learn more at bala.love
PRACTICE
Who we are is deeper than our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, or social roles. These are like clouds happening within the sky of our Awareness. As we awaken to this, we learn that this Awareness is not isolated to our own mind. It is the fabric of Reality and the Relational Web that connects us. Ram Dass called this Loving-Awareness. As Pavan Das says, “Just as sunlight is warm, our Awareness is naturally loving.”
By gathering in Satsang (spiritual community) and engaging in sadhana (practice), we gain Darshan (vision) and behold this Love everywhere.
-
Meditation
Each morning starts with guided meditation. We practice letting go of clinging in the mind, so we can return to Loving-Awareness.
-
kirtan
Each night ends with kirtan from experienced chant leaders. Kirtan is the practice of chanting the Holy Names— ancient Sanskrit mantras that reveal Loving-Awareness.
-
Ritual
Puja is woven throughout each day, and it is a prayer made with the entire body, mind, and senses. It is an honoring of the Love within, and it awakens Bhav (the devotional mood) and connects us to community.
-
Teachings
Our teacher, Ram Dass, honored all paths and had a special affinity for both Bhakti (devotional yoga) and Buddhism. Authentic teachings will be offered as a way to ground our experience in something deep, meaningful, and rooted in lineage.
-
COMMUNITY
Sacred Community is “Loving-Awareness practiced together,” and it is rooted in the truth of Interdependence. Both the practice and the reward, we actualize Sacred Community through intention-setting, small group reflections, and shared meals.
Details & Registration
Friday, March 20th - Monday, March 22nd, 2026
In line with SCP values, this is an accessibly-priced retreat with work-trade options available for those in need.
Sitaram Dass is volunteering his teachings solely on a Dana (donation) basis. There will be an opportunity at the end of the retreat to make a financial offering.
In this way, this is more than a retreat; it is an exercise in Sacred Community.
pricing
Pricing includes delicious vegan meals: Friday Dinner, Saturday and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch. If you would like to arrive a bit earlier and attend Thursday night, please add $50 to your total contribution. No cancellations, although we will be compassionate on a case by case basis for hardship circumstances, as we are able. If you select Queen Hosted Stay and wish for someone to stay with you, their cost is $125 + tax to attend the retreat.
Self Camping
Bring your own tent and sleeping gear
$125 + tax
Tipi Twin Hosted Stay
Twin standard mattress in one of our Tipi tents
$250 + tax
Canvas Bell Queen Hosted Stay
Queen tempurpedic mattress in one of our Canvas Bell tents
$500 + tax.
One additional person can stay with you for $125 each.
Extend Your Stay in the Forest
Dive deeper into the forest experience by arriving early or staying an extra day with us. Embrace the spirit of sacred seva (service) by joining us for special days dedicated to earth building, as we put the finishing touches on our communal adobe earth sauna. This is a unique opportunity to contribute, learn, and connect with nature and fellow participants in a meaningful way.
Early Arrival: Consider arriving early on Thursday to be part of this enriching experience.
Extended Departure: Alternatively, unwind a little longer by departing on Monday by noon.
Contribution: There is an additional contribution of $50 for each day you choose to extend your stay (Thursday, Friday, or Monday). The contribution includes basic meals.
Registration: Please indicate your preference for extra days in the drop-down on your registration form. We will follow up with you to discuss the details.
Apply to stay for the
Forest Sadhana WITH Sitaram dass
at Just Love Forest
March 22nd–27th, 2026 · Poetry, GA
Stay for a week-long immersive retreat in collaboration between the Sacred Community Project and Just Love Forest, designed for those seeking deeper soulful renewal through silence, nature, and devotion.
Led by Sitaram Dass and supported by experiential guide Bala Yancey (Founder & Steward of Just Love Forest, trained in forest-therapy and deep nature practice), this retreat weaves together ancient forest-sadhana traditions and modern contemplative practice.
What you’ll experience
Three days of structured group practice: Optional morning guided meditation, kirtan, ritual puja, and teachings that draw from bhakti and Buddhist-inspired lineages.
Introduction to forest-therapy (Shinrin Yoku): You’ll begin to attune to the land and awaken a deeper relationship with the wild.
Four days of silent wilderness immersion in the valley of “Bhakti Mountain” - individual forest campsites, simple nourishment, solo time for reflection and practice, and morning group sessions to anchor the experience.
Who this is for
Seekers ready to turn toward a deeper field of awareness. Those comfortable with wilderness overnight stays, periods of silence, minimal tech, and an inward focus. Applicants are asked about their spiritual preparation, physical and mental health, and readiness for forest solitude.
Investment & Access
Sliding-scale tuition: $500 + tax covers food, lodging, facilitation; Sitaram Dass volunteers his time and welcomes a dana offering at the close.
Application required: this retreat is by invitation only and designed for deeper commitment.
Why attend
In a world of constant noise and distraction, this retreat offers a sanctuary in the wilderness. This will be a place where the land becomes teacher, stillness becomes gateway, and devotion becomes living. You’ll return more grounded, more present, and more aligned with your heart’s calling.
Financial accessibility
We always want these gatherings to be as financially accessible as possible. If you would like to be considered to serve as part of our volunteer and support teams for a reduction in fees, please contact us.
about the forest
The 716 sacred acres of Just Love Forest offers a unique blend of natural beauty, spiritual exploration, and ecological consciousness, making it a perfect haven for those seeking a retreat that nourishes the soul, mind, and body in the lap of nature. It’s an ideal destination to gather in nature for this spiritual and devotional retreat. The forest is not just a backdrop but an active participant in the retreat experience, providing a unique form of therapy known as forest bathing. This practice, deeply rooted in the Japanese tradition of Shinrin Yoku, encourages participants to engage all their senses, immersing themselves in the natural environment. It has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, enhancing both emotional and mental wellbeing.
-
![]()
Your forest home awaits
-
![]()
Our gathering yurt
-
![]()
716 acres of pristine nature
-
![]()
Satsang community
-
![]()
fireside kirtan
-
![]()
Meditation
about the sacred community project
The Sacred Community Project is an interspiritual collective working to awaken Sacred Community in the world. Through the eternal teachings of “Love, Service, Remembrance, and Truth,” SCP lowers the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through affordable, free, and donation-based offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach.
EXPLORE
Chanting
“I'm not interested in being a "lover." I'm interested in only being love.”
Ram Dass