The Shanti Space: Where Dreams Take Root
Family-run sanctuary for retreats in Portugal
Is it the place, or the people who create it, that makes a space feel good?
It was early August 2025 when I found myself driving through a beautiful woodland valley, winding deeper into nature with each turn. The Shanti Space was gently hidden there, not far from places I'd been visiting for the last five years, yet somehow I'd never known it existed. Perhaps some places reveal themselves only when you're ready to find them.
I was on my way to meet Jack and Jess, the souls behind this family-run sanctuary for retreats in Portugal. What I didn't know yet was how much their story would move me.
Jack and Jess first met in London over a simple lunch. In that ordinary moment, they discovered something extraordinary: they shared the same dream, to create a retreat center, a sanctuary where people could rest, grow, and reconnect with nature. What began as a quiet knowing between two strangers has now blossomed into The Shanti Space, a place born of love, trust, and the courage to follow the call of their hearts.
When I arrived, I understood immediately. The Shanti Space isn't just a retreat, it's a living story. You can feel it in the way the light filters through the trees, in the intentional care woven into every corner, in the warmth that greets you before anyone even speaks.
Jack and Jess have poured their passion for community, music, well-being, and nature into creating a haven where others can find what they're searching for: peace, support, joy, and connection. It's a space that whispers beauty, regeneration, and restoration.
I had the privilege of capturing their story on film, not just the physical space, but the essence of what they've built and why. Every frame reminded me of the answer to my own question: it's both. The place holds magic because the people who created it poured their hearts into it.
If you're looking for a beautiful retreat space in Portugal to run your gathering, or seeking a community to open your heart to, The Shanti Space is a perfect spot.
You can learn more at theshantispace.com
I genuinely loved this project.
Every place I film, every person I meet on this journey unfolds a new perspective, and The Shanti Space reminded me why I do this work in the first place.
Till the next story!
With love,
Maria Steppe
Wonderveld Pictures
💫 About The Place
The Shanti Space website: https://www.theshantispace.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshantispace
Location: Quinta dos Lobos, Estrada da Tapada no. 1360, Vale da Guarda, 2665-418 Vila Franca do Rosário, Mafra, Portugal
Jessica Weaver: https://www.instagram.com/embodied_remembrance
Jack Weaver: https://www.instagram.com/jackweavermusic
