On the other hand, you may crave an escape to a commercial space for retreats, whether it is a monastic community or a New Age spa with whirlpools, massages and evening satsang. The selection of retreat possibilities is endless, ranging from Zen monastaries which require silence of visitors to yoga camps to healing spas that offer biofeedback, crainiosacral therapy, and Ayurvedic doctors. One guide listed below even lists 'Mind' spas, in which you can use entrainment mind machines and behavior modification software that helps reprogram negative mental patterns. Ultimately, all retreats are oriented around one thing: to return balance to your body, mind and soul. It's up to you and your intuition to decide where to go and what to do.
Jennifer Louden, who I lead a retreat with called the Women Writer’s Spa suggests that all retreats must start with one key question: 'Why am I going on retreat?' The rest of the why's and how's are built from this answer, especially such questions as 'How can I spend money on myself like this?' and 'How can I make the time?' Answer the question of why honestly, and the rest takes care of yourself. For instance, if you need to retreat because you're fed up with your life, then time and money need not be an issue. On the other hand, if you're retreating because you need a break from the kids, a mini-retreat for an afternoon or a weekend getaway might do the trick nicely.
The question of where to go can be answered similarly. If you are going on retreat to soothe your soul and treat yourself with love and care for a while, you might want to pick a place that feels like the ultimate pampering. On the other hand, if you're going on retreat to plan out your vision for your business, you could pick a time and place that helps you think more creatively. My husband and I did exactly that on a recent retreat to a beautiful little college town in Vermont about an hour from where we live. We hung out in a cafe in the morning and went over what we'd accomplished in the last year. Then we took a walk, had lunch at an inn, and spent the balance of the day in front of their fireplace making plans for the new year. The cost of our retreat was practically nothing, and it got the job done quite nicely.
Please note that going on retreat may mean finding a yoga retreat with a particular kind of practice, or going to a Benedictine monastery and living like the monks do. Your retreat may have a particular spiritual practice that will enhance your time away. If you call the Episcopalian or Roman Catholic Diocese where you want to go, they will put you in touch with monasteries and retreat centers where you can stay -- or you can use the directories listed below. As you cruise the possibilities, see what your intuition pulls you towards. Then allow yourself to go there, unencumbered.
I encourage you to give yourself permission to just get away, find a little peace and quiet, and let your thoughts flow. You may be surprised at what you uncover, but you will most definitely be refreshed by this necessary, uncommon gift to yourself.
Why not join us at the Women’s Writer’s Spa in July in Taos? Here's a pic of last year's group … and I must say, they DO look relaxed and nourished (and this was only Day 3!)
Jump in - whatever retreat you choose!
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