Vegan Spirituality Retreat in Florida
Explore veganism as a spiritual practice, build community, and cultivate compassion with In Defense of Animals at a Vegan Spirituality Retreat on April 1st and 2nd at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, Florida!
Yoga, meditation, speakers, an animal blessing, and a sanctuary tour to meet Jungle Friend’s “Miracle Monkeys” will be the order of the day on Saturday. Retreat-goers will also enjoy an uplifting and empowering talk from Plant Peace Daily’s co-founder Rae Sikora, who speaks internationally about compassion for all living beings.
During our creative blessing ceremony, you can empathize with animals suffering around the world, celebrate animal companions, honor those who have died, and create a vision of harmony between humans and other animals.
On Sunday, you are invited to visit The Temple of the Universe for a spiritual talk with “The Untethered Soul” author Mickey Singer and spend the afternoon volunteering on a special project at the sanctuary!
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, www.JungleFriends.org, provides permanent high-quality sanctuary care for New World monkeys being retired from laboratory research, ex-pets, or monkeys who have been confiscated by the authorities. All suffer physical and psychological trauma, but many fully recover to live happy healthy lives at Jungle Friends!
Retreat: Saturday, April 1, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Optional Volunteer Day: Sunday, April 2, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, 13915 North State Road 121, Gainesville, FL 32653
Cost: $40 door price, $35 online registration, and $5 per child (fee is for the retreat; optional volunteer day is free; sliding scale available upon request)
Online Registration:
Adult
Child
Transportation & Lodging
Jungle Friends can pick you up at the airport or you can use Uber. The airport in Gainesville is only 15-20 minutes away from Jungle Friends. The Hampton Inn is located in downtown Gainesville. There are also hotels in Alachua, which is even closer. Jungle Friends can offer room and board for $50 a night for a bed inside a building and vegan meals or $25 for campers with tents and sleeping bags. Contact Debbie to reserve your spot today at debbie@junglefriends.org.
Please RSVP for Sunday
See our updated program for Saturday and Sunday below. We revised our Sunday schedule since Mickey generously offered to lead a special afternoon talk for our group. If you need to leave in the afternoon, you're welcome to attend his morning talk, which is open to the public. Since Sunday is optional, please let us know if you plan to join us and if you will attend Mickey's morning or afternoon talk. Your RSVP will help us plan rides to the Temple and arrange the Volunteer Project. Please RSVP with debbie@junglefriends.org.
Reminders
Bring your yoga mats! We want you to be comfortable and enjoy this special class. You're welcome to bring photos of animal companions (both living and those who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge) for the animal blessing ceremony. Vegan drums are encouraged!
Saturday Program
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Welcome, Intentions, and Introductions
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Yoga
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Meditation
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vegan lunch
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sanctuary Tour
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Guest Speaker Rae Sikora
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Blessing Ceremony
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closing Circle
Sunday Program
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Vegan Breakfast
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Volunteer at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vegan lunch
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Spiritual talk with Mickey Singer at The Temple of the Universe
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Volunteer at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Vegan dinner