Whether you are an experienced meditator looking to deepen your practice or a beginner looking to learn more about mindfulness, there are many destinations around the world that offer excellent retreats for all levels of experience. Let’s take a look at the best destinations for meditation retreats that offer in-depth programs which will teach you different kind of meditation techniques that will allow you to be present in the moment and quiet your mind.
Dharamsala, India
One of my favorite destinations in India, Dharamsala, particularly the town of McLeod Ganj. It is located in the Himalayan mountains and is the home of the Dalai Lama and a big community of Tibetan Buddhist monks. Forests, mountains, hiking trails and temples, surround the town. Its strong spiritual energy makes it a popular destination for people wanting to learn about Buddhism and for meditation retreats.
In Dharamsala, retreats often take place in monasteries or temples. They may include teachings from Tibetan Buddhist monks, in addition to meditation and yoga practices.
A popular meditation retreat in Dharamsala is the Tushita Meditation Centre. This center offers a variety of retreats for both beginners and experienced meditators, lasting from a couple of weeks up to three months.
Another recommended option is the Dhamma Sikhara vipassana center. They offer 10-day silent retreats based on the Buddhist meditation practice of vipassana.
In these kind of retreats it is not allowed to maintain any contact with the outside world for the duration of the course. The idea is that this will help youo really focus your mind and concentrate in the present. Meditations sessions are about 10 hours a day. Even though I have done a 10 day retreat, I have not done it in Dharamsala. A good friend did though and she highly rated the experience at the center.
Cost:
Both Tushita and the Dhamma Sikhara vipassana center are donation based. As an example of an expected amount of donation to cover the costs of acommodation, teachings and meals in a shared dormitory, Tushita Center mentions USD$ 110 for a 10- day retreat.
Rishikesh, India
One of the best destinations for meditation retreats in the world is Rishikesh, a city in northern India. Rishikesh is known as the Yoga Capital of the World. The city is located on the banks of the Ganges River (India’s sacred river) and has a strong spiritual energy.
The most popular areas in Rishikesh for travelers looking for meditation retreats and teachings are Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula. Both are full of ashrams, temples, and pilgrims visiting the town. There are many centers that will offer a combination of yoga and meditation retreats at different times of the year.
Another option would be to stay at an ashram, like the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Ram Jhula. The ashram offers daily activities which you can attend as you please, with no obligation to stay inside the ashram. The daily schedule at this ashram normally include daily yoga and meditation classes, spiritual teachings (might be in Hindi) and chanting. There are also daily ceremonies such as the havan (fire ceremony) or the Ganga aarti (ceremony for the Ganges river), which you can attend.
Other ashrams, like the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram, offer more structured programs of a specific duration. These have scheduled activities the whole day, for a more intensive, secluded and retreat-like experience.
Personally, my first experience with yoga and meditation was 12 years ago at an ashram in Laxman Jhula. It was a complete life changing experience for me, so I fully recommend it.
Cost:
The cost per night at Parmath Niketan Ashram is about USD$20 for an AC room, but prices vary depending on room types. It includes access to the daily activities. Meals are very affordable at about $1-$2 dollars per meal.
The cost at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram will depend on the program that you enroll in.
Koh Panghan, Thailand
Koh Phangan, a small island in Thailand, and is a great destination to unwind, and reconnect with yourself. One of the many reasons people go to Koh Phangan is to participate in a meditation or yoga program.
A school that offers in-depth programs is Agama Yoga. Their full curriculum is many months long. Even just their first month program, has the feeling of a retreat in of itself. The daily program includes a meditation session, two hatha yoga classes and lectures on the specific physical and spiritual effects of each asana. Also, every evening there are lectures on all kinds of spiritual subjects (from the nature of the chakras, to karma, the yoga sutras of Patanjali, siddhis or spiritual powers, etc).The whole experience feels like an introduction to a magical and mystical aspect of life you were not aware of.
If you are up for a longer experience, after you finish the first month course you can sign up for any of their workshops (some don’t have any pre-requisite though). Some of these workshops are meditation courses and retreats, with an average duration of a week.
I have attended the Kashmir Shaivism (meditation) course and retreat some years ago and it has been one of the highlights in my life (take into account I’m very much into meditation). Agama doesn’t offer accomodation, but there are plenty of options around in the island (renting a motorbike is recommended though).
Cost:
The cost of the first month course is around USD$ 215. Acommodation and meals are not included.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located just outside of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is known for its beautiful setting, peaceful atmosphere, and the numerous courses it offers to visitors interested in learning about Tibetan Buddhism and meditation. It is home to over 300 monks, who study and practice Buddhism alongside laypeople from all over the world.
The introductory course is a 10–day course that provides a foundational understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. The first days are focused on the teachings, while the last two days are more focused on meditation itself. The course includes teachings on the lamrim, or the stages of the path to enlightenment, as well as instruction in basic meditation techniques. The retreat requires you to maintain silence for the duration of the program. Here as well, you are not allowed to have any contact with the outside world (no phones or internet allowed).
In addition to these 10-day courses, they also offer a month-long meditation course every November. The course focuses on the teachings of the Buddha, and the topics include subjects such as karma, rebirth, the nature of the mind, etc. The November Course does not involve the traditional retreat experience of secluded contemplation in a monastery setting. Instead, it is a more active and busy environment, with the principle of silence being practiced only in the evenings and mornings.
Cost:
The cost of the 10 day course is USD$ 150, meals and acommodation included
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an Indonesian island with beautiful beaches, Hindu temples, forest and rice paddies. The environment provides the perfect backdrop for a peaceful and restorative retreat.
The island has a strong spiritual ambiance. Balinese-Hindu festivals and ceremonies take place incredibly frequently in their temples and streets. For the same reason, Bali is home to many different retreat centers.
There are lots of to see and do around the island and among them there are several yoga centers. But one of the Bali hidden gems is the Anand Ashram. The ashram is located in Ubud, a town where most of the yoga schools are located. The daily activities at the ashram include mantra meditation, zen meditation, fire purification, yoga classes and bhajans. You can stay for as long as 7 days, but your can extend your stay upon request.
Even though you will have more freedom here than you might have at the Buddhist meditation retreats mentioned above, it’s still an ashram. You will be able to go out of the ashram in your free time, but you are still expected to take part in all of the daily activities, and you must be back by 9pm.
Cost:
The cost per day is around USD $30, with acommodation, meals and activities incuded.
Final Thoughts
The above is a good selection of some of the best meditation retreats in some of the most peaceful and spiritual places around the world.
Of course, different kind of people will connect better with different kind of teachings and retreats. For example, If you have no experience with meditation I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a 10-day silent retreat to begin with. Even if you are a regular meditator you might not be into them so much, though of course they are an amazing experience for many others.
So if you are not sure what kind of meditation retreat is the best for you, my recommendation would then be to join a program at an ashram or a yoga school. There, you will be have enough meditation sessions but you will for example also be able to move your body with yoga, maybe learn some breathing exercises, and attend different ceremonies.
