Meditation: Winter Retreats

Now that it’s winter, this would be an excellent time to plan to attend a meditation retreat. Here are some nearby retreat centers you might wish to consider:

Omega Institute is located just up the road from us in Rhinebeck, NY. Founded in 1977, the Institute was inspired by Eastern meditation teacher Pir Vilayat Inayat Khna.The name "Omega" came from the teachings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a renowned 20th-century philosopher, who used the term "Omega Point" to describe the peak of unity and integration toward which all life is evolving.

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health is located in the nearby Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Kripalu offers a variety of experiential and educational workshops, tai chi, meditation, and of course yoga; “a rich daily schedule that allows you to do just what you want, whether it’s soul-searching, celebrating, or simply remembering who you are when you’re not absorbed by the flurry of family, work and life.”

Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality (ECCJS) at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT. The well-known Jewish Retreat Center Elat Chayyim merged with Isabella Freedman in the fall of 2006. “Elat Chayyim’s retreats welcome people from all backgrounds, including individuals with limited or no Jewish education, seekers who have walked other spiritual and religious paths and those who are traditionally observant.”

Holy Family Passionist Retreat and Conference Center is a spiritual center in the Passionist (Roman Catholic) tradition located in West Hartford, CT. “Since 1720, when St. Paul of the Cross founded the Passionist Order, Passionist priests, religious, and lay associates have offered retreats that allow people time to reflect on their lives and deepen their relationship with God.”

LatifaNoor Elizabeth Anderson conducts individual one day Sufi Muslim chanting and meditation retreats in Dobbs Ferry. She has no website, and so I can’t provide much more information than this. But you can email her for more information.

Have you been on a meditation retreat? What have your experiences been? Your reflections are welcome! Please LEAVE A COMMENT below.

You can find my weekly blogpost (and meditation archive) on Patch easily anytime. Just click Local Voices on the Patch home page and SEARCH LOCAL VOICES.  

Rabbi Mark Sameth is the spiritual leader of Joyful Judaism: Pleasantville Community Synagogue an inclusive, progressive synagogue – with members from twenty towns, villages and cities all across Westchester. Read The New York Times article. Weekly meditation at the synagogue every Saturday morning at 9 am is open to the public. Everyone – without exception - is welcome and warmly invited.