THE PATH of LOVE (Online) at Upaya

The Path of Love is an online spiritual retreat designed to guide you toward deeper connection—with yourself, others, and the sacred dimensions of existence. Hosted by Upaya, this transformative gathering brings together renowned spiritual teacher Henry Shukman and celebrated author Michael Pollan for an intimate exploration of love, meaning, and right relationship. Taking place on Friday, February 12, 2027, this spiritual retreat event offers a rare opportunity to learn from two distinct but complementary voices exploring how we can live with greater authenticity, compassion, and reverence for life itself.

Whether you're seeking to deepen an existing spiritual practice or beginning to explore these questions for the first time, The Path of Love creates a welcoming container for transformation. The retreat weaves together contemplative teaching, insightful dialogue, and reflective practices that honor both the wisdom traditions and the lived experience of modern seekers. By joining this online spiritual retreat, you'll be part of a conscious community gathering to explore what love—in all its dimensions—truly means.

What to Expect

From the moment you log in, you'll enter a carefully curated space designed to support inner work and collective awakening. The day unfolds as a flowing journey, beginning with centering practices that quiet the mind and open the heart, followed by teachings from Henry Shukman that illuminate the spiritual dimensions of love and connection. The retreat weaves in dialogue with Michael Pollan, whose unique perspective on our relationship with nature and food systems brings grounded wisdom to the day's themes.

Throughout the spiritual retreat, you'll experience periods of guided meditation, interactive teaching sessions, and spacious silence—all designed to create the conditions for genuine insight. Sensory awareness practices help you arrive more fully in your body and the present moment. The retreat concludes with integration practices that help you carry the day's gifts into your daily life, leaving you feeling both nourished and energized with clarity about next steps on your spiritual path.

Expect an unhurried, contemplative atmosphere where depth is prioritized over breadth. This is not a packed agenda but rather a generous holding of time for what wants to emerge.

About the Artists

Henry Shukman is a respected Zen teacher, author, and guide known for making ancient spiritual wisdom accessible to contemporary seekers. His teaching integrates Zen Buddhism, poetry, and psychology, offering practical pathways for transformation that honor both intellectual understanding and direct experience. Henry's gentle but penetrating presence has guided thousands through personal awakening and deeper love for life.

Michael Pollan is an acclaimed writer, educator, and cultural critic whose rigorous research into food systems, agriculture, and our relationship with nature has fundamentally shaped how millions understand what we eat. Beyond food, Michael's work explores consciousness, meaning-making, and our profound interdependence with the natural world—themes that resonate deeply with the spiritual dimensions this retreat addresses. His contributions bring grounded wisdom and intellectual rigor to contemplative inquiry.

Venue & Location

The Path of Love takes place entirely online through Upaya's secure virtual platform, making this spiritual retreat accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This online format removes geographic barriers while maintaining the intimacy and focused attention of a traditional retreat experience. You'll need a quiet, comfortable space where you can fully engage—a room where you can sit undisturbed, ideally with a cushion or chair that supports upright posture during meditation practices.