Book Top Meditation Retreats in United States
Top United States 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
Madalina says, "I needed the reminder of the importance of a retreat. Coming back to the center seemed to carry no weight when surrounded by silence and sky as much as one can see in the distance." See more
From $210
5.00
The Call of Sedona - Cancelled
March 8 - 12, 2025
Cathy says, "I didn't know what to expect. Barracks? Up at 4 in the morning? Vegetarian food and no wine? I believe that while I participated in the workshop, much was so new and different to my life thus far." See more
From $1,960
/ 5 days
4.84
Day of Zen with Tulsa Zen Sangha
Top Rated
March 15, 2025
Ann says, "New to the retreat experience in this location, I wasn't sure what to expect. I found the periods of silence and the early morning meditations in the forest with the windows to nature all around to be healing." See more
$30
/ 1 day
4.92
Cultivating A Joyful Resilient Heart – An EcoDharma Meditation Retreat
April 24 - 30, 2025
Les says, "I highly recommend any retreat where Ms. Ephraimson-Abt is the dharma teacher. A wise, kind, compassionate teacher." See more
From $600
/ 7 days
4.93
Winter P.A.U.S.E. retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Formation
March 14 - 15, 2025
Paz says, "It was a very good experience. Evelyn takes us to an interior journey to ourselves. Very good directed. God timing to rest and work. I would prefer she guided the meditations instead of Ira recordings." See more
From $120
/ 2 days
4.86
Ratna Ling Gift Certificate
Open Dates
Anonymous says, "I had such a soothing, transformative, and healing experience during the recent "Change and Surrender" retreat I attended at Ratna Ling. The cottage accommodations were the most luxurious I have ever had at a retreat center." See more
$50
4.94
3 Night Yin & Restorative Retreat
4 Days Package
Florence says, "My experience at the Zen Den retreat Centre was exceptional. It was everything I needed, and then some. I participated in juicing, yoga, infrared saunas, ice baths, a colonic, and the best massages ever." See more
From $850
5.00
Home Hermitage - A Day Long Retreat Online
March 2, 2025
Online
Anonymous says, "I had never visited Great Vow before attending the week-long summer "Grasses, Trees & The Great Earth" sesshin. I could not be happier that I went. The personality of Great Vow is very warm while also peaceful and quiet." See more
Donat
/ 1 day
4.91
From Root to Blossom: A Yoga & Meditation Retreat On The Art of Becoming
May 29 - June 1, 2025
Michael says, "What a great time we had in our little cabin and at the New Year's event. We went for a great walk in the snow along the trail to the north for a wintery adventure to return to our cozy cabin with a warm fire." See more
From $999
/ 4 days
4.94
Your Evolutionary Blueprint: Online Home Study Course
Open Dates
Online
Ian says, "Love the programs at the Paititi Institute. They are a great and all encompassing when it comes to a physical, mental and spiritual approach to understandig self-treatment." See more
$40
5.00
Top Meditation Retreat Centers in United States
Meditation Stories
Questions about United States 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.
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.