Meditation retreats offer these and more.
Here, weve rounded up the best meditation retreats in the country.
Other options include modern life, music, meditation, and technology.
Esalen Institute
Esalen is also home to a community farm and garden, a cliffside bathhouse, and natural hot springs.
The Kadampa Meditation Center also offers in-depth silent retreats that focus on the teachings of meditation and silent meditation.
These guided experiences involve two days of teachings, followed by three days of a silent retreat.
Kadampa Meditation Center
If you want to stay overnight, you’re free to choose one of their residential retreats.
These non-residential retreats are ideal for newer practitioners just learning to deepen their practice.
Participants can choose from guided meditations, yoga, and creativity, among other indoor and outdoor activities.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Their Learn to Meditate retreats are designed for people curious about the teachings and practice of meditation.
You also have the option to ditch the technology and make this retreat a digital detox.
Because of the harsh Alaska winters, meditation retreats are only available from May through September.
Shambhala Mountain Center
IMS provides also detailed instruction and ongoing guidance to encourage personal growth based on Buddhas Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
Guests are taught by residential instructors that deliver teachings throughVipassanaand loving-kindness meditations.
While there, guests will spend time immersed in sitting and walking meditation, completely done in silence.
Alaska Stillpoint Lodge
Advanced levels can benefit from the high level of instruction provided at IMSs Forest Refuge retreat.
Located in Big Sur, California, the beautiful center has been hosting guests since 1962.
With hundreds of retreat options, theres something for everyone at Esalen.
Insight Meditation Society
The benefits of practicingmindful meditationare numerous.
Meditation retreats are not necessary.
Others offer more spartan accommodations but provide opportunities to connect with nature or a community of practitioners.
Some also offer workshops led by experienced instructors and teachers that can offer you the guidance you need.
Comparing Meditation Retreats
Booking a meditation retreat can be as complicated as booking your next vacation.
Here are a few things to consider before deciding on a meditation retreat.
Most programs fill quickly and may require early registration.
Keep this in mind, especially if youre looking to work with a specific instructor or teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Programs can cost less than $100 or more than $22,000.
The wide range depends on the pop in of accommodations or length of the retreats.
They also factor in what kind of activities are offered and whether food is included.
Retreats are designed to be a place to learn, deepen, and absorb meditation practice.
They are typically led by instructors who give you tools and practices to move into deep reflection.
Theyre usually multi-day programs or workshops, although many sites offer one-day retreats without an overnight stay.
Some retreats offer extracurricular activities such as yoga classes, hikes, or massages.
Every retreat location is a little different and offers its own unique offerings.
Meditation retreats are available for beginner or advanced practitioners.
Some may have combined sessions, and others might offer specialized classes.
Yes, Vipassana is a silent mindfulness practice.
Silent retreats are offered at some meditation centers, including our Best Budget pick, the Kadampa Meditation Center.
Methodology
There are several meditation retreats across the country that offer a variety of programs.
Based on what we found, we selected the retreats on this list.
These meditation retreats have garnered good reviews from previous participants and repeat visitors.
They are known for their diverse programs, well-regarded and experienced instructors and teachers, and great locations.
National Library of Medicine.Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
