Guest Information

Everything you need to know about visiting us

Here’s some useful information to help you prepare for your visit with us. If you have questions, call us at (918) 245-2734 or send an email to osageforest@gmail.com.

Daily and weekly schedule

Our schedule of meditation and meal times

What to bring

A list of helpful things to bring during your visit

Location and directions

Find out where we are and how to get here

Parking and arrival

Instructions on where to park and what to do when you arrive

Etiquette

Some tips on making things go smoothly during your stay

Connectivity

Availability of Wi-Fi and cell phone coverage on the property

Hours of operation

Office Hours

Tuesday-Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm; 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Day Visitors / Trails

All day visitors please check in at the Main House upon arrival, by filling out the registration form just inside the front door (on Mondays/Forest Day the forms will be outside the Main House front door).

Day visitor hours: Monday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset

Monday is Forest Day, a day of silence without scheduled meals or meditation times. Please note that the Main House is closed.

Scheduled Closures

We are closed to visitors and guests during the month of August for a time of sabbath.

Check in/out times

For overnight guests on personal retreat:

Check in: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Check out: 12:00 pm

Daily and weekly schedule

All visitors are welcome to join us for sitting meditation and communal prayer.

If you would like to join us for a meal, please call to make your request 24 hours in advance. Weekday meals depend upon availability of kitchen staff, and all visitor meals depend upon Forest bookings. Price: self-serve breakfast $5, hearty lunch $12, light supper $10.

Please note that this schedule is subject to change due to staff availability and community health discernments . Updated 9/24/22

Monday

Forest Day – We’re in silence for the day, and there is no set schedule for prayer or meditation. The Main House is currently closed on Mondays.

Tuesday – Saturday

Quiet house and grounds until 9:00 am

7:00 – 7:30 Sitting meditation in Chapel

7:30 – 9:00 Silent, self-serve breakfast

10:00 – 12:20 Quiet house and grounds

12:00 – 12:20 Sitting meditation in Chapel
(Wednesday through Saturday)

12:30 Lunch

2:00 – 5:00 Quiet house and grounds

4:30 – 5:00 Sitting meditation in Chapel

5:30 Light supper

9:00 Quiet house

Sunday

Quiet house and grounds until 9:00 am

7:00 – 7:30 Sitting meditation in Chapel

7:30 – 9:00 Silent, self-serve breakfast

12:00 Brunch

Fee for meditation?

Joining our community meditations is free of charge, though donations are welcome.

What to bring

Some ideas of things to bring during your stay:

Hat
Sunscreen
Personal toiletries
Hiking shoes
Sunglasses
Water bottle
Your favorite pillow
Your favorite yoga mat or zafu

Location and directions

Directions from Tulsa

Take Hwy 64 West past the town of Sand Springs; exit at 177 West Avenue.
Turn RIGHT on 177 West Avenue and drive about 1 mile to Anderson Road.
Turn LEFT on Anderson Road.
Continue about ½ mile to the entrance to the Shell Creek West housing division.
Turn RIGHT onto North Ridge Avenue into the Shell Creek West housing subdivision.
Turn RIGHT at Lakeview Drive.
Continue until you see Monastery Road.
Turn RIGHT onto Monastery Road until you come to the parking lot for Osage.

Parking and arrival instructions

Upon arrival, you can park in our guest parking lot.

Please come to the Main House to check in. If you are a day visitor, please fill out a “Day Visitor Registration” form on the table by the front door. If you are an overnight guest, please check in with the office.

Forest map

Forest policies

We ask that all guests observe the following:

Substance-free environment

We maintain an environment free of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs to promote sober contemplative living. There is no smoking on the premises.

Weapon-free environment

We maintain an environment free from weapons of any kind.

Open fire restriction

Open fires are not allowed on the property without the supervision of Forest staff.

Age restriction

According to our board of directors’ policy and insurance provisions, guests younger than 18 years of age cannot be accommodated.

Pets and service animals

Pets are not permitted onsite. Service animals are welcome. All service animals must remain on leash when outside or in the Main House and must remain with owner at all times.

Cancelation and refund policy

If the reservation is canceled more than 72 hours before the scheduled arrival date and time, a full refund is provided. Refunds will be made either to the original credit card on file or by check within two weeks of the notice of cancelation.

If the reservation is canceled fewer than 72 hours before the scheduled arrival date and time, the deposit is forfeited. An exception may be made in the case of illness, death in the family, or inclement weather, in which case the deposit will be applied to a rescheduled visit.

Etiquette

Here are some guidelines that we ask guests to respect while visiting:

Culture of respect

We're a community of sincere seekers of diverse spiritual traditions who come together to live and work in friendship and mutual respect. Our intention is to provide a welcoming, friendly environment to those who visit, regardless of their spiritual beliefs and practices. In return, we ask that guests extend a similar attitude of friendship and respect to others.

Quiet and stillness

We value an environment of stillness, quiet, and contemplation. We ask guests to help us maintain this atmosphere and to additionally observe silent and quiet hours.

Remove shoes in chapels

Our chapel in the Main House and in cabin #9 are considered sacred places. We ask that guests remove their shoes before entering.

Timeliness

In keeping with our monastic roots and rhythm of life, we keep a timely schedule with our meals, meditations, and other events. We ask guests to respectfully maintain this timeliness in our day-to-day life.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

All buildings have free Wi-Fi for your convenience. The coverage can vary, however, depending on your location and the weather. We also invite guests to take the opportunity to disconnect.

Cell phone coverage

Most cell phone providers are covered onsite, though in the months when the trees are in full foliage, the coverage can vary.