Rediscover the Wild Wisdom Within and Around You
“When we contemplate the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted with continents and islands, flying through space with other stars all singing and shining together as one, the whole universe appears as an infinite storm of beauty.”
— John Muir
Join us this fall for Wisdom of the Wilderness—a weekend retreat led by guide Steve Thomas and hosted by Illuman of Illinois.
Returning to Pilgrim Park, our beloved liminal home amid the river valleys of northern Illinois, we will step into a full immersion with the natural world—a space of wandering, reflection, and soulful renewal.
Drawing from ancient wisdom and sacred texts, this retreat invites us to tune into the wild voices that surround us—voices that remind us of our deep kinship with all of creation.
Retreat Themes
Through guided teachings, solo wandering, and meaningful council, we will explore:
The Call of the Wild and Wildman
Our Place in the Community of Creation
Beholding the Divine in God’s Wild Sanctuary
The Glory of Trees in God’s Creation
Rooted and Grounded for a Resilient Life
During times of personal wilderness wandering, participants may also engage with sixteen "Trees of Life" reflection stations hung in the forest—each offering invitations for reflection and connection.
We will also gather in small groups to share what we are noticing—both in the wild and within ourselves.
Our closing Sunday morning ritual will include a shared table of items gathered throughout the weekend—symbols of beauty, biodiversity, and life in God’s wild creation.
Event Details
Dates:
Friday, October 10, 2025 – Sunday, October 12, 2025
Begins Friday at 5:00 pm CT | Concludes Sunday at 1:30 pm CT
Location:
Pilgrim Park Camp & Conference Center
26449 1340 North Avenue
Princeton, IL 61356
Cost: $375
Partial scholarships available.
Registration:
Learn more & register →
For questions or to register by phone, contact:
Carmelite Spirituality Center
Phone: 630-969-4141
Email: retreats@carmelitespiritualcenter.org
Why Attend?
You are seeking to reconnect with the sacred wisdom of the natural world.
You long to rediscover your place in the larger community of creation.
You value space for reflection, embodied practice, and shared brotherhood in the woods.
You are ready to listen more deeply—to the earth, to others, and to your own soul.
This gathering is open to all men—no prior Illuman experience required.
We warmly invite you to join us as we turn to our wild teachers and deepen our walk with the sacred.