Step into the pages of a story — and into yourself.
The Common Ground ExperienceThrough immersive retreats, we weave together reading, writing, and walking so participants have the space to explore themselves through a particular text alongside a small group of fellow meaning makers.
These journeys aren’t typical travel. They are designed with one clear goal: to meet the spiritual needs of our participants. Through community, rigor, and ritual, we treat traditionally secular things — like novels, walks, or writing — as sacred. In this practice we exercise empathy, courage, and hope, and move closer to treating one another as sacred too.
Each trip is intentionally intimate, with limited spots so that faculty can truly meet pilgrims where they are — and gently push them toward something more. Rooted in the ancient practice of pilgrimage, every retreat becomes a shared experiment in meaning-making that lingers long after the journey ends.
Each Pilgrimage combines:
Close
Reading
Treating novels as sacred texts, revealing new gifts with each encounter.
Writing &
Reflection
Space for silence, journaling, and processing.
Walking &
Wonder
Pilgrimage-style journeys through beautiful places.
Community &
Conversation
Shared meals, circles, and connection that lasts.
Our Ethos
Every day is shaped by five practices: reading, writing, walking, intention, and ritual. Together, they help us live attentively — open to what Virginia Woolf calls “moments of being.”
Reflection questions, guided rituals (both ancient and new), and shared conversation give us tools for the hard but rewarding work of living more meaningful lives.
What We Mean By “Sacred”
When we treat a book or a practice as sacred, we mean three things:
Faith: To call something sacred doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It means it’s worthy of our attention. The more time we give it, the more gifts it has to offer.
Rigor and ritual: We read slowly and attentively, write with intention, and walk reflectively. These practices deepen both our understanding of the text and its connection to our lives.
Community: Sacred texts are best explored together. Writing circles help us process. Walking in groups brings renewal during difficult stretches. Chaplaincy invites personal exploration. Together, these create a community that often endures long after the pilgrimage ends.
By The Numbers
Registrants
1300
Miles Walked
618
Trips
31
Participants
679
