Choosing a Spiritual Retreat...

A spiritual retreat is a wonderful gift to yourself. It is a chance to pull back from routine life patterns and focus on yourself as spirit. It is about making time for yourself on a deep level. It is about making space to find your centre, get grounded in yourself, release the old, and give birth to the new.

Each retreat is unique and it is important to find one that works for you. When choosing a retreat, consider the following...

What are you looking for?
Content of the retreat program
Integrity of the instructors/facilitators
Accommodation & Location
Time and Budget

CHOOSING A RETREAT...

1. What are you looking for?
Are you looking for an intensive retreat program which packs a lot into a full schedule? Are you just wanting to get away from it all and have a relaxing vacation? Or are you looking for a little of both: time for learning and plenty of free time?

2. Content of the retreat program
This is one of the most important aspects of a retreat. What is the content of the retreat program? What will you be focussing on and learning about? Are you enthusiastic to do this?

3. Integrity of the instructors/facilitators
This is another very important aspect of a retreat. Are the facilitators coming from a place of integrity? Will the instructor support you in connecting with yourself on a deeper level? Flashy personalities can be impressive at first. But big egos can also distract you from the real job of connecting with yourself.

4. Accommodation and Location
When choosing a spiritual retreat, it is useful to remember it's called a spiritual retreat, not a physical retreat. It is important to be comfortable enough so you can learn and enjoy. But the content of the retreat program is more important than the physical surroundings. There can be wonderful retreats in simple-looking surroundings. And there can be questionable retreats in impressive surroundings.

Also keep in mind, retreats do not have to be isolated in remote locations to be effective. Some remote locations can be stressful to get to and from, especially in developing foreign countries. Also base your decision on the content of the program and the integrity of the facilitators, not just on the physical surroundings.

5. Time and Budget
Remember, even if you don't have time or money to go a retreat somewhere, you can always create mini-retreats for yourself. Sure--it's great to travel somewhere exotic to meditate. And you can also meditate happily right at home!

It's less about where your body is and more about your spiritual intent. The purpose of a spiritual retreat is to pull back from the world and connect with yourself on a deeper level. Meditating is a great way to give yourself mini retreats in daily life.

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Visit other pages including Brain Training Retreats, Meditation Retreats, and Benefits of Meditation, in Spiritual Retreats.

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