AWAKENED ACTION: What Blooms in the Ashes (In Person) at Upaya, Santa Fe

Join us for a transformative spiritual retreat event in Santa Fe this November 13, 2026, at the serene Upaya Zen Center. AWAKENED ACTION: What Blooms in the Ashes brings together visionary teachers and writers to explore resilience, renewal, and our deepest connection to nature and community. This intimate gathering features renowned spiritual teacher Terry Tempest Williams and influential nature writer Michael Pollan, creating a rare convergence of contemplative wisdom and earth-rooted activism. In a world marked by upheaval, this spiritual retreat in Santa Fe offers a sacred space to plant seeds of meaningful change.

This isn't a passive listening experience—it's an invitation to awaken your inner compass and discover what emerges when you sit with life's most pressing questions. Over the course of this day-long spiritual retreat, you'll move between deep reflection, meaningful dialogue, and inspired creative expression. The atmosphere blends Zen simplicity with the raw energy of artistic inquiry, creating conditions for genuine insight and connection with like-minded seekers.

What to Expect

Arrive early to settle into the tranquil grounds of Upaya, where the high desert light filters through pinon trees and the air carries the weight of ancestral earth. The day unfolds as a journey: begin with grounding practices that quiet the mind, move into teachings that challenge and illuminate, and transition into intimate conversations that bridge personal transformation with collective action. You'll experience moments of contemplative silence alongside dynamic exchange—the kind of gathering where ideas aren't just discussed but felt in your body and spirit.

Expect to be moved by the generosity of these teachers' presence. Terry Tempest Williams will guide participants through her unique lens of witness and courage, while Michael Pollan brings decades of inquiry into our relationship with food, nature, and consciousness. The day arc is designed to build momentum: morning groundedness gives way to intellectual and emotional engagement, culminating in a space where personal insight connects to larger questions about our role in a wounded world.

Wear comfortable layers—Santa Fe's November weather shifts throughout the day, and you'll want to move freely during practices and discussions.

About the Artists

Terry Tempest Williams is a spiritual teacher, naturalist, and acclaimed author whose work explores the intersection of personal courage and ecological responsibility. Her voice carries the wisdom of someone who has sat with loss, witnessed injustice, and chosen action rooted in deep love for the living world. At this spiritual retreat, she brings her gift for helping others recognize their own capacity to transform crisis into purposeful engagement.

Michael Pollan is a renowned writer, journalist, and educator whose investigations into food systems, agriculture, and plant consciousness have reshaped how millions think about our everyday choices. His rigorous research combined with lyrical prose makes complex subjects accessible and urgent. His contribution to this spiritual retreat event enriches the conversation around what it means to live consciously and in reciprocal relationship with the natural world.

Venue & Location

Upaya Zen Center sits in the high desert landscape north of Santa Fe, a contemplative sanctuary founded by renowned Zen teacher Roshi Joan Halifax. The center's architecture and grounds reflect Zen principles—clean lines, mindful simplicity, and deep attunement to place. Ample parking is available on-site, and the peaceful surroundings naturally transition your mind from everyday concerns to deeper presence. Santa Fe's elevation (7,000 feet) and crisp autumn air create ideal conditions for introspection and clarity.