How to Find a Spiritual Retreat

A spiritual retreat is not necessarily a building or foundation set up for spiritual seekers. Anywhere you feel comfortable deepening your spiritual connection with the divine can be a retreat. For some people, the key is complete solitude, while for others, the presence of a spiritual leader is necessary to get the most out of the retreat. Know yourself and what you need to feel comfortable.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Computer
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Decide what you want from a spiritual retreat. Are you looking for solitude or would you prefer to be able to work with a spiritual teacher? Are you interested in an open schedule to meditate at your leisure or would you prefer a very structured day? Are you a vegetarian? Do you have any other special dietary restrictions? What type of facility or accommodations do you want?

2. Decide how long you want to retreat. You may want to consider starting off with a short retreat. Although a week or more can be necessary to get the most out of a meditation retreat, sometimes it is best to start off slowly. Just going for a weekend will allow you to get an idea about what you like without committing to a long program.

3. Decide what spiritual beliefs you want your retreat to hold by. Would you be open to a nondenominational spiritual retreat, or does it have to subscribe to your own particular religious principles? A Christian retreat, a nondenominational retreat and a Buddhist retreat will have much different focuses, so it is important to decide ahead of time what you are looking for.

4. Consult a guide to national or state parks such as the one linked to below. If you just want to get away from it all for a weekend, you might do best to simply go on a camping trip. Many parks have isolated campsites, far enough removed from other visitors to make perfect spots for solitary meditation.

5. Consult a guide to spiritual retreats such as the one listed in Resources below. Alternately, if you are committed to a particular religious belief system, talk to someone within your religious community about spiritual retreats.

6. Talk to the people who work at a retreat that looks promising. They should be willing to give clear and helpful answers to all of your questions. If they are vague, or if anything about their answers makes you uncomfortable, consider looking elsewhere.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're going to take a solo spiritual retreat, remember to pack well. Your blissed out mind state won't stop you from getting cold and hungry.

• Watch out for cults. Before you commit to a spiritual retreat, look it up with the Rick Ross Institute (see Resources) or another cult information resource.

• Be aware that the Cult Awareness Network is linked to the Church of Scientology, the Rick Ross Institute is not.

Resources

• National Parks
• Cult guide
• Spiritual retreats