Looking for peace and tranquility whilst promoting stronger spiritual connection within? Consider enrolling in silent retreats. Though spending time in a silent retreat can be highly challenging because you must avoid talking, reading, writing and eye contact, it has been proven effective for the health of the human mind, body and spirit.
Silent retreats teach greater stress tolerance as well as emotional balance. They also give you time to reflect, to gain a new perspective on major life changes. Whatever personal reasons you have, enrolling in a silent retreat can truly change your life. To help you find the best one for you, here are 9 silent retreats around the world that will give you a whole new perspective on the world around you.
9 Silent Retreats Around The World For Your Mind, Body & Spirit
Find inner peace, discover the path to self-awareness and improve your well-being when you spend time at one of these 9 silent retreats around the world…
1. Hridaya Yoga in Oaxaca, Mexico
If you’re really up for the challenge, you can enrol in the silent retreat at Hridaya Yoga in Oaxaca, Mexico. They offer 3-day and 10-day Hridaya Silent Meditation Retreats where you must strictly refrain from talking, having sex, reading books, or even making eye contact with other people. The retreat includes practices drawn from a variety of traditions, including yoga, Buddhism, and Sufism. The retreat starts at $395, plus accommodation.
2. Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California
Esalen Institure is one of the oldest and most established retreat centers in the United States. The institute offers various programs and workshops which incorporate silence for extended periods of time. Aside from the usual meditation and yoga practices, Esalen Institute also gives its clients an opportunity to learn more about the dogma and discipline of their practice. A weekend workshop at Esalen starts at around $450, with prices depending on your accommodation.
3. Sadhana Yoga Retreat in Pokhara, Nepal
Sadhana Yoga Retreat is a silent retreat center located in the hills of Pokhara, Nepal. Sadhana offers a 5-day silent yoga retreat which includes breath work, meditation and yogic cleansing. The retreat center is also self-sufficient in which they have an organic garden that provides fresh and healthy Ayurvedic meals. A five-day silent yoga retreat at Sadhana starts at approximately $280.
4. Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre in Wyebridge, Ontario, Canada
Sugar Ridge Retreat Center in Wyebridge, Ontario, Canada is a retreat center popular among artists and writers looking to work without distractions. It offers a 5 to 7-night Silent Yoga and Medication Retreat in which you can choose if you want to do it alone or within a group. If you decide to dive in as an individual, you can follow your own path and literally do whatever you want, alone. To minimize interaction with other people, your food will be arranged by the retreat center Chef. Group retreats at Sugar Ridge start at around $1,197 whilst individual retreats start at $149 per night.
5. Zen House, Yoga & Meditation Garden in Hua Hin, Thailand
After traveling around and witnessing the natural beauty of Thailand, you can dedicate some time to yourself at the Zen House Yoga & Meditation Garden located in the district of Hua Hin. It is about 150 miles away from Bangkok, surrounded by a rich natural environment. The garden offers a 2-day Silent Retreat where you can meditate and find inner peace whilst being near to nature. The Zen House retreat starts at around $55 depending on your accommodation.
6. Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts
Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts offers various programs that incorporate the teachings of Buddha, such as ethics, concentration and wisdom. Even if you are not a Buddhist, you can still partake and participate in their retreats where you can experience some serious time in silence. The Insight Medication Society retreat starts around $280 depending on your chosen program.
7. PachaMama in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
PachaMama is an EcoVillage Retreat Center located in the jungle of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. PachaMama offers healing workshops, yoga, detox and meditation. In every program the entire PachaMama community gather together each night for a 45-minute Silent Sitting, believed to detox the mind. They also have a 5-night Silent Retreat and 4-night High Vibe Silent Retreat with a special light vegetarian menu. A night at PachaMama starts at around $20, however price depends on the accommodation type and season.
8. Awakening Spirit in Sedona, Arizona
Awakening Spirit is a personal retreat center located in the cool mountain forest of Sedona, Arizona. It offers an affordable Silent Yoga Retreat for 3, 4 and 7 nights. Its private forest cabins offer privacy to its clients with views, personal yoga space, kitchen and bath exclusively for them. They also offer Personal Retreats where you can do self-guided activities, including hiking in the surrounding red rocks without being distracted by anyone. The Personal Retreat at Awakening Spirit starts at $100 per week booking fee, plus suggested cabin contribution at around $200 to $500 per week.
9. Gaia House in Devon, England
Gaia House in Devon, England is a meditation center that offers silent meditation retreats in the Buddhist tradition. Aside from having time to yourself, Gaia House is also a good place to contemplate history due to its historic setting which is said to have been slated for use as a medical and rehab center during WWI. Then, during WWII, it had served as a safe haven for children who were evacuated from London. Today, it is a retreat center which focuses on the teachings of Buddha, guided by experienced Dharma teachers from all over the world. The center offers a one-day silent retreat with options for individual and group retreats. It also has an optional personal retreat ranging from 2 nights to 3 months or more. The Gaia House retreat starts at $62 per night.
Where will your spiritual journey begin?
With all the stress at work and in your personal life, spending time at one of these silent retreats is an effective way to relax your body and mind. It’s time to discover the inner peace and understanding you are looking for, improve your well-being and become a better version of yourself whilst enjoying the beauty of nature around you. These 9 silent retreats around the world will get you started on your journey to self-awareness, so now the only question is, where does your journey begin?
