Ancestral Futures 2026
Men’s Retreat
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for adult men and male-identified individuals from all walks of life who want to experience the blessings and power that come with a men’s community focused on growth and healing. All men from 18 and up are welcome to register.
What will we be doing?
Mornings will have meditation, breathwork, and other vitalizing practices. The days will be filled with large and small group sessions that bring us closer to matters of the heart. Themes will include blessings and curses, the power of mothering, and friendships. Lunches will offer downtime to enjoy the river and the land. While our evenings will be filled with evocative, old-world rituals that care for the soul in the spirit of the Silk Road mystics.
Who are the Teacher and Staff?
Jef Szilagyi and Eliyahu Sill will be the primary teachers for this event. You can learn about them and all of the staff on this page.
When does the retreat begin and end?
Arrival for the retreat will begin at 4pm on Thursday the 15th of October. The retreat will end on Sunday, October 18th by 12pm.
How much does the retreat cost?
The retreat is $975. This includes all meals and events, as well as a single bed in shared room. Private rooms upgrades are $1175, and camping and camper vans retreat pricing is $875.
Do you offer any tuition assistance?
AF2026 will do our best to offer tuition support for men with limited means. Please email us with your request for tuition support.
Where is the River’s Bend Retreat Center?
The majestic River’s Bend Retreat Center is in Philo, California, which is 135 miles from either San Francisco International or Oakland Airports.
Situated along the Navarro River at the far West end of the Anderson Valley, this 80-acre property was chosen for it’s incredible beauty and stunning contours.
What are the Accommodations like?
A single bed in a shared room in one of River’s Bend five lodge will be provided. Each lodge has their own kitchen and sitting area. There are a limited amount of private room upgrades (5), and limited number of camping/camper van spots with a retreat discount that are available (10).
What if I have specific Health Requests or accommodations?
To the best of our ability we will make the event accessible and supportive for all those who would like to attend. Please let us know if there’s any personal or physical needs you have to make your participation happen.
Is there a carpooling option?
In July, further updates will take place about the retreat, including calls for carpooling.
Further questions?
You can email Jef at…
jeffrey@howhumanswork.us
About Ancestral Futures2026
Ancestral Futures Men’s Retreat is a five-year project that seeks to carry forward the traditions of the Shem Center’s Male Spirit Retreats, Mosaic Multicultural Foundation’s Men’s Conferences, and the I-Group practices of the ManKind Project, among others.
Our goal is to create healing events for men of goodwill from all walks of life who are negotiating the tapestry of their experience and quality of their relationships.
Ancestral Futures will emulate and innovate on our creation-spirituality, mytho-poetic, and cross-cultural lineages. In particular, we will explore how Internal Family Systems practices can increase the capacity for men to strengthen their understanding of themselves.
Every Ancestral Future’s Retreat will have a core theme. This year’s theme is the Silk Road, and we will call upon the music, poetry, stories, and food of those ancient centuries to awaken a fuller connection to the caravan of soul in our gathering.
In large part, the Silk Road was chosen for its power to break the spell of limited convictions and reconnect us to the long chain of humanity. In this way, we can both unbind the mind and heart to better know what’s possible.
Together, we will support one another in opening ourselves up to personal meaning and in more honestly entering into this phase of our lives, between what’s been and what will come to be. When we hold our moment, we honor the ancestral and bless the forthcoming.