GRATEFULNESS and GENEROSITY at Upaya

Join us for Gratefulness and Generosity, a transformative spiritual workshop hosted at Upaya on Sunday, November 22, 2026. This intimate gathering brings together two remarkable minds—Buddhist teacher Frank Ostaseski and acclaimed writer Michael Pollan—to explore the profound connection between gratitude, generosity, and our relationship with the world around us. Whether you're seeking deeper spiritual practice, meaningful community, or simply a Sunday devoted to reflection and growth, this spiritual workshop event offers a rare opportunity to learn from teachers who've dedicated their lives to understanding what truly nourishes us.

The experience weaves together contemplative teaching, discussion, and space for personal introspection in Upaya's serene mountain setting. Frank Ostaseski brings decades of experience in Buddhist practice and end-of-life care, while Michael Pollan contributes his distinctive voice on agriculture, consciousness, and the sacred dimensions of everyday life. Together, they create an afternoon that honors both the inner work of spiritual practice and our outer responsibility to the natural world.

This spiritual workshop event invites you to sit with questions that matter: What does it mean to live with genuine gratitude? How does generosity transform both giver and receiver? What role does our relationship with food, nature, and community play in spiritual awakening? The day unfolds as a journey of discovery, designed for both longtime practitioners and those new to contemplative exploration.

What to Expect

Arrive early to settle into Upaya's peaceful grounds, nestled in the foothills above Santa Fe. You'll find yourself surrounded by adobe architecture, piñon-scented air, and the quiet hum of a community dedicated to dharma practice. The morning begins with grounding—whether you choose to sit in meditation, walk the gardens, or simply breathe deeply as you arrive.

The teaching and dialogue flow naturally throughout the afternoon, creating space for both inspiration and reflection. Frank Ostaseski will guide contemplative practices rooted in Buddhist wisdom, while Michael Pollan shares insights drawn from his rigorous exploration of consciousness, food systems, and our interdependence with the natural world. Expect moments of profound stillness, genuine laughter, and the kind of conversation that shifts perspective.

You'll leave carrying not just ideas, but a felt sense of what gratefulness and generosity awaken within us. The spiritual workshop event closes with time to integrate the teachings—perhaps journaling, walking the grounds again, or sitting quietly with what you've received.

About the Artists

Frank Ostaseski is a pioneering Buddhist teacher and hospice care innovator whose work at the intersection of spirituality and dying has touched thousands of lives. His teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and the art of presence emerge from direct experience accompanying people through life's most tender moments. Frank brings a rare combination of rigor and warmth to this spiritual workshop, grounding Buddhist practice in the messy, beautiful reality of human connection.

Michael Pollan is an influential writer and educator whose exploration of food systems, agriculture, consciousness, and our relationship with nature has reshaped how millions think about what we eat and why it matters. His work extends into the sacred and psychedelic dimensions of human experience, always grounded in meticulous research and genuine curiosity. Michael's contributions to this spiritual workshop event bring a contemplative lens to how we nourish ourselves and our world.

Venue & Location

Upaya is housed in a historic adobe complex in the foothills above Santa Fe, New Mexico, offering a setting that itself becomes part of the teaching. The space holds a rare combination of architectural beauty and spiritual sanctuary—high ceilings, natural light, and gardens that invite both solitude and connection. The mountain location creates natural quietude, free from urban noise, allowing participants to arrive fully present.

Parking is available on-site, and the venue is accessible by car from Santa Fe's plaza area (roughly 15 minutes). The grounds include a main teaching hall, outdoor meditation spaces, and room to move mindfully between teachings. This spiritual workshop event unfolds in an environment specifically designed to support contemplative work.