How to Choose a Meditation Retreat?
Pick a destination, determine your price range, the length of your stay, the type of accommodation you want, the meditation retreat group size, any additional activities you want to include…
I had a friend who was struggling with overthinking and was advised that meditation practice could help.
She had never meditated before, went online to find about how to start, and came across the idea of a meditation retreat. Her question to me was: how do I choose a meditation retreat?
Choosing a meditation retreat should depend first and foremost on your meditation goals. Think about what you would like to achieve, and pick a retreat that can offer you that. Then come the practical aspects like the amount of time you have, your budget, the location, and your expectations from the retreat.
In this article, we will help you understand the different aspects to consider while choosing a meditation retreat.
Some of these aspects are more fundamental, while others are more practical.
As we talk about each of them, it would help you look at the choice you are making more holistically and intricately.
Picking a destination for your meditation retreat
Meditation retreats are held all over the world.
Certain schools of meditation might be more present in specific countries.
For instance, South East Asia has an abundance of Buddhist meditation retreats, though you will find them in other parts of the world too.
If you want to combine a retreat with some travel, then traveling to another part of the world makes sense.
However, if your intention is only to attend a meditation retreat, and you are not looking to be in a very specific center, then choosing a retreat closer to home is perhaps more practical.
Another consideration here could be weather and the environment.
If the sun and sand, are what you truly desire, then choosing a destination that provides that, will contribute towards a more positive experience.
Online meditation retreats
There are also options for virtual meditation retreats.
Though they do not provide the complete experience of being on a retreat, they take up less time and money and do provide the tools for building or developing a meditation practice.
This brings us to another important consideration, which is the price.
Determine your price range
It is good to have a rough estimate in mind about how much you would like to spend on a meditation retreat.
Since you can find retreats in all kinds of budgets, including free ones, determining your price range will create a strong filter.
It helps to keep in mind that other than the actual cost of the retreat, there will be the cost of travel.
If you are not staying at the retreat center, add food and accommodation.
If you need help finding out how much a meditation retreat costs, this is a very helpful article (comparison price table included) 👉 How much does a meditation retreat cost?
Now that we have the price figured out, let us get on to the next most important factor, the length of the retreat.
Decide how long you want to stay at a meditation retreat
There are meditation retreats that last a day.
Others run for a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
And then, there are meditation retreats with durations of more than 30 days.
Think about how much time you would like to spend on the retreat.
There is no ideal duration for being on a retreat.
Spending more time does not necessarily mean meditating better.
If you have never been on a meditation retreat before, or do not have much experience with meditation, it is ok to start with a shorter stay.
Depending on how it turns out for you, there is always next time.
Make sure the focus of the retreat matches your intentions
Making sure that the focus of the meditation retreat aligns with your intentions can significantly impact what you take away.
It is good to set your intention from the retreat, whether it is to build your meditation practice, finding time to calm your body and mind, engaging with the philosophy of the school of meditation, or giving yourself a detox.
A clear intention will not only help you choose the right retreat but will also enable you to get the most out of the retreat.
Do you want a particular type of accommodation?
There are meditation retreats that are more simple and austere.
Think ashrams in India or Vipassana centers around the world.
Expect the accommodation in such centers to be modest and shared. The actual bed might just be a cot or a bunk.
Some retreats provide a more luxurious living arrangement, which makes them more expensive.
If a good bed is essential for you for a good night’s sleep, factor that in when choosing your retreat.
And now, we come to the other basic need, food.
Is the food offered a good fit for you?
Most meditation retreats have fixed mealtimes.
The food that is served is almost always vegetarian. Meals are generally light and freshly cooked.
There are meditation retreats that do not serve any food after sunset.
Going to bed early takes care of any hunger pangs that might arise later.
In case you have any health issues that require you to eat at regular intervals of time, it is good to check for the feasibility of that with the retreat organizers.
Another important thing to check for is alternatives in case you have any food allergies or restrictions.
Does the group size match what you are after?
You might want to practice in a smaller group. Or, you might feel more comfortable if the group is larger.
Meditation retreats usually mention their group size as part of the details of their program.
In case it is not mentioned, and it matters to you, you can always check with them before making your booking.
Other than the group size, if you think you would like to go on a gender-segregated retreat, there are meditation retreats that are organized only for women participants.
So keep that in mind.
Does the retreat program match your meditation experience level?
Most meditation retreats are technically suitable for beginners.
That said, if you are a beginner, sitting for long hours in meditation might feel challenging.
Not that you cannot do it. There are beginners who successfully complete ten-day silent courses.
A strong determination can get you through. It is just important to honestly assess how prepared you are for the intensity of the experience.
There are meditation retreats that make it a prerequisite to have prior experience. These are for more advanced practitioners.
Check for where you fall in their requirements and go through the itinerary to see if the program and schedule are what you would be comfortable with.
Do you want to have any additional activities?
Think about how much time you would be comfortable with practicing meditation in a day.
If you are a beginner and the idea of spending whole days sitting in meditation feels overwhelming, think if you would like to include other activities.
There are meditation retreats that combine other activities along with the meditation.
Some of these activities could be yoga, healing, detoxing, Ayurveda, and sessions on spirituality and philosophy.
Depending on your interests, you can choose additional activities to complement your meditation practice.
Learn more about the teacher/teachers at your meditation retreat
Get to know the teachers.
Read about them.
Read about the things they talk about and teach.
Doing some research on the teacher will help you connect to the practice even before you get to the retreat.
And, if you find yourself not being able to align yourself with the teacher or the teachings, perhaps it is best to not go ahead.
In such a case, choose another instructor and attend their retreat instead.
Conclusion
The experience that you have on a meditation retreat might be completely different from what you plan and expect.
Choosing well takes away some of the uncertainty and surprise. It also ensures that your non-negotiables are met.
If a silent meditation retreat is what you are daring to go for, here is this man’s experience of what it was like for him.
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