Book Top Meditation Retreats
Discover inner stillness and lasting presence through time-tested meditation practices that transform daily life
Top Meditation Retreats
Personal Retreat in Blue Ridge Mountains, VA
Flexible Dates
Anonymous says, "I really enjoyed my 3 nights at the Sanctuary. I scheduled my stay between organized retreats, and enjoyed the more private atmosphere that resulted. It was nice to have access to group meditation sessions before breakfast and dinner, as well as to use the many lovely spots available for solo meditation, both inside and outside." See more
From $330
5.00
Personal Retreat
Flexible Dates
Laura says, "From the moment I arrived I was impressed with how peaceful and immaculate the entire facility is. The rooms had exactly what I needed with a comfortable bed and pillows, meditation table and cushions, and a desk." See more
From $210
5.00
Private Cabin Retreat
Grant's Staff Pick
Flexible Dates
Christopher says, "I just finished yet another wonderful weekend retreat at Clear Sky. It was a very powerful insight experience for me. What I'm reflecting on now is how skilled the resident teachers and onsite team are at creating and holding space for deep transformation." See more
From CAD $594
4.97
Day of Zen with Tulsa Zen Sangha
Top Rated
March 15, 2025
Anonymous says, "Everyone was very friendly and the event was well organized." See more
$30
/ 1 day
4.92
Realisation Meditation Retreat with Jaya
April 10 - 15, 2025
Maria says, "This retreat in heaven, or more specifically in La Floresta in Lake Atitlan, is medicine for the voice and a balm to he soul. The days spent there were relaxed and playful." See more
From $395
/ 6 days
4.87
Cultivating A Joyful Resilient Heart – An EcoDharma Meditation Retreat
April 24 - 30, 2025
bryan says, "My times at this retreat center have been very supportive and enjoyable. I feel like they strike the right balance between nature and comfort in terms of the facility itself, and the center also draws wonderful teachers." See more
From $600
/ 7 days
4.93
Krishna Village Retreat Stay: +1 Deal
Flexible Dates
Anonymous says, "Radha and her assistant Paula provided an inclusive and comprehensive cooking experience. Their expert knowledge of produce and spices made for a feast beyond compare." See more
From AUD $198
4.74
Winter P.A.U.S.E. retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Formation
March 14 - 15, 2025
Kathleen says, "This was my second experience with Sr. Monica's Zentangle classes and it's one of my favourite things in the world. I always look to see when the Prior are offering it." See more
From $120
/ 2 days
4.86
Last Chance
The Still Point of the Soul - Silence and Psilocybin Retreat in Costa Rica
April 4 - 8, 2025
Anonymous says, "Jacqui knows what she is doing and she does it well. She seemed to be right where I needed her to be and I didn't even know it until she was there. Jacqui is magical, insightful, professional, and fun." See more
$2,330
/ 5 days
5.00
Top Meditation Retreat Centers
Meditation Stories
Questions about Meditation
Can you read during a silent retreat?
Reading during a silent retreat depends entirely on the specific tradition and center hosting the retreat. Most Vipassana centers prohibit reading and writing during their 10-day courses to maintain mental silence and prevent intellectual distraction. However, some Zen and contemplative Christian retreats allow limited reading of spiritual texts during designated periods, particularly for beginners who may need guidance in their practice. Some centers provide clear schedules indicating when reading is appropriate, while others maintain strict policies against any form of external stimulation, including books, journals, or electronic devices. These variations reflect different approaches to cultivating inner stillness and self-observation.
Traditional Buddhist monasteries often incorporate sutra study as part of their silent practice periods, recognizing that certain texts can deepen meditation insights when approached mindfully. At modern retreat centers in North America and Europe, many programs have evolved to include "noble silence" periods where reading spiritual texts is permitted during free time, while maintaining verbal silence.
Research from the University of California, Davis Center for Mind and Brain suggests that combining contemplative reading with meditation may actually enhance attention and metacognitive awareness.
What happens at a women's retreat?
Women's retreats create dedicated spaces for deep restoration, connection, and transformation away from daily demands. Modern retreats often blend ancient wisdom practices like meditation and ritual with evidence-based approaches including somatic experiencing, breath work, and therapeutic movement. At luxury venues in Bali or Costa Rica, participants might start their mornings with sunrise yoga, followed by journaling circles and afternoon workshops on topics ranging from ancestral healing to authentic leadership.
The magic often happens in those unscripted moments between scheduled activities. Picture women sprawled on cushions sharing life stories over herbal tea, or walking meditation paths through tropical gardens processing profound insights. Some retreats focus on specific themes - grief work, creative expression, or life transitions. Others embrace a more fluid structure allowing space for spontaneous sisterhood, tears, and belly laughs.
Beyond the "spa and yoga" stereotype, many contemporary women's retreats tackle deeper terrain. Trained facilitators guide participants through shadow work exploring internalized patriarchy, mother wounds, or sexual trauma. Traditional ceremonies led by indigenous wisdom keepers might involve cacao rituals, sweat lodges, or womb blessing circles. The physical container of being surrounded by solely female energy for several days often catalyzes profound personal breakthroughs that continue unfolding long after the retreat ends.
Safety remains paramount - reputable retreats require health screenings, maintain clinical support staff, and enforce clear boundaries around touch and sharing. Many integrate trauma-informed protocols developed at leading centers like the California Institute of Integral Studies Source. This allows women to journey as deep as they choose while knowing skilled holders maintain the container.
How to do a personal spiritual retreat?
Creating sacred space for a personal spiritual retreat begins with setting clear, heartfelt intentions while releasing expectations of specific outcomes. Traditional wisdom across cultures emphasizes the importance of preparation - choosing a quiet location away from daily demands, whether that's a dedicated retreat center, a peaceful spot in nature, or even a specially arranged corner of home. The key elements include selecting a meaningful timeframe (traditionally anywhere from 24 hours to 40 days), gathering simple supplies like a journal, meditation cushion, and nourishing food, and establishing gentle boundaries with loved ones about this special time. Many seekers find it helpful to establish a basic daily rhythm while remaining responsive to inner guidance. Buddhist traditions often recommend alternating seated meditation with walking practice, while contemplative Christians may weave prayer beads, sacred reading, and centering prayer throughout their days. The practice is to continually return to presence, allowing insights and emotions to arise naturally without forcing or suppressing anything. Remember that this time is not about achieving special states or fixing what's "wrong" - rather, it's an opportunity to deeply rest in and recognize the wholeness that's already here.
Can a retreat be one day?
Absolutely - a day-long retreat can offer profound benefits and has deep roots in many contemplative traditions. In Zen practice, these are called "zazenkai" - intensive one-day sitting retreats that provide a taste of deeper immersion without requiring extended time away. Modern retreat centers often offer similar day-long programs that might include meditation, movement practices, periods of noble silence, and gentle guidance. The key is creating enough spaciousness within that single day to allow for genuine settling and inner listening. A well-structured day retreat typically runs from early morning until evening, incorporating mindful meals, walking meditation, and alternating periods of activity and rest. This format particularly serves those who cannot take longer breaks from work or family responsibilities, while still offering a meaningful pause from daily routines. Some find that regular day-long retreats actually provide more sustainable transformation than occasional longer ones, as they build a rhythm of renewal that weaves naturally into life's fabric.
What is the goal of a spiritual retreat?
While some seek dramatic breakthroughs or transformative experiences, the deepest purpose is quite simple - to pause the constant doing and rest in natural being. At modern retreats, participants typically engage in practices like meditation, prayer, or mindful movement, yet these are simply doorways to something far more fundamental: the direct recognition of one's own true nature. Rather than adding something new or fixing what's broken, a retreat allows the gradual falling away of habitual patterns and false identities that obscure innate clarity and peace. The outer form of retreat can vary widely - from silent meditation in nature to guided practices in community. What matters isn't the specific format but the willingness to temporarily set aside daily responsibilities and turn attention inward. This doesn't mean retreats are always peaceful or pleasant. Old wounds may surface, difficult emotions arise. Yet even challenging experiences serve the core purpose when met with gentle awareness. The goal isn't to achieve any particular state but to intimately know oneself - beyond all states and experiences.
How long should a spiritual retreat be?
The ideal length of a spiritual retreat depends entirely on your current life circumstances and inner calling. Traditional Buddhist vipassana retreats often run for 10 days - allowing 3 days for the mind to settle, 4 days for deeper practice, and 3 days for integration. Yet profound shifts can occur in just a weekend, especially for those new to retreat practice or with limited time away from family and work obligations. Some practitioners find tremendous value in day-long mini-retreats right at home, while others may feel called to extended periods of solitude lasting weeks or months, as seen in Tibetan traditions where 3-year retreats are considered foundational for certain practices.
Rather than focusing on an ideal duration, consider what feels genuinely supportive for your current life phase. A 4-5 day retreat often provides a sweet spot - long enough to drop into deeper states while remaining practical for most schedules. The key lies not in the length but in the quality of presence brought to each moment. Many retreat centers offer flexible options ranging from weekend immersions to 2-week stays, allowing you to choose what resonates with your inner wisdom and practical needs.
Are spiritual retreats worth it?
Spiritual retreats offer profound opportunities for insight and renewal, though their value depends greatly on timing, preparation, and clear intentions. Traditional meditation retreats in Buddhist, Hindu, and contemplative Christian settings typically provide structured periods of silence and guidance from experienced teachers - creating space to explore one's inner landscape away from daily distractions. A well-chosen retreat can help reveal what's already present but perhaps overlooked in the busyness of modern life. At retreat centers participants often discover both challenge and support: pre-dawn meditation sits balanced with gentle movement practices, shared meals eaten in mindful silence, and skilled teachers available for questions that arise. Yet retreats aren't magic solutions - they're simply dedicated time to pause, reflect, and remember essential truths. Some find a weekend retreat sufficient for renewed perspective, while others benefit from longer immersions of 7-10 days. The key lies not in duration but in approaching retreat time with genuine curiosity rather than looking to fix what isn't broken. When chosen thoughtfully and undertaken with realistic expectations, retreats can indeed be deeply worthwhile investments in understanding oneself and one's place in the larger web of life.
How is yoga nidra different from meditation?
While both practices support deep relaxation and inner awareness, yoga nidra and meditation follow distinct paths. Yoga nidra guides practitioners through a systematic rotation of consciousness through different body parts and mental states, traditionally done while lying down in savasana (corpse pose). This ancient practice, sometimes called "yogic sleep," typically maintains conscious awareness while the body enters a state between waking and dreaming. Research from the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation shows that one hour of yoga nidra can equal four hours of conventional sleep in terms of rest and rejuvenation Source.
Meditation, by contrast, usually involves sitting upright and focusing attention on a specific object, breath, or concept. Rather than moving through prescribed stages, meditation cultivates steady awareness of whatever arises in consciousness. Think of meditation as learning to sit beside a flowing river, watching thoughts pass by, while yoga nidra is more like floating downstream through specific landscapes, guided by an experienced voice.
The physiological effects also differ in fascinating ways. Yoga nidra consistently produces theta brain waves associated with deep relaxation and vivid imagery, while meditation more commonly generates alpha waves linked to wakeful relaxation. Some practitioners find yoga nidra more accessible initially since it provides constant guidance and permission to "let go" completely. Yet both practices ultimately serve as doorways to our inherent peace and clarity - different pathways leading home to the same destination.