What Is A Meditation Retreat?

If you are interested in learning how to meditate or deepen your practice a short stay at a meditation retreat provides you with the ideal space and environment to practice meditation. In this article we look at what you can expect at a meditation retreat.

What Happens At A Meditation Retreat?

At a meditation retreat you meditate and study the theoretical and practical aspects of meditation through workshops, demonstrations and lectures under the guidance of a Meditation Teacher.

What Is Meditation?

Meditation is the process whereby you are able to still and quieten your mind. The purpose is to eliminate distractions, calm and slow down your thoughts. During meditation you achieve a heighten sense of awareness as you focus your mind on either an external object, e.g. a candle, a sacred image or sound; or on a more internal focus such as your breath or repetition of a mantra or prayer. When your mind wanders then you gently bring your attention back to your focus of attention. During meditation you can experience a deep sense of calm, clarity and sense of conscious connection with "yourself, your god and all humanity". It is a peaceful place to be.

Where Are Retreats Held?

Retreats are often held in purpose-built centres dedicated to creating a peaceful and tranquil environment to encourage you to relax, rest and unwind. Centres tend to be in natural settings with little distractions and interference from "the outside" world, e.g, near the coast, in rural countryside settings or in the mountains. Urban retreats may be in the midst of a busy inner city yet strive to support a calm and peaceful internal environment.

Are There Rules At A Retreat?

Once you are inside a meditation centre, you are expected to observe certain codes of behaviour which are enforced to maintain the positive energy and sacredness of the centre. For example, you are encouraged to switch of mobile phones, ipods and other electronic devises during the day, smoking, drinking alcohol, using stimulants and drugs, excessive sexual behaviours and eating certain foods are not allowed.

How Long Can You Stay At A Retreat?

Retreats can last from a one day retreat to a weekend or even longer stay. There are no hard and fast rules. It all depends on what the length of programme on offer by the retreat centre. Some centres allow you to stay and volunteer at the centre as part of your meditation experience.

What Else Happens On A Meditation Retreat?

A lot of retreat centres offer other mind and body activities such as yoga, massages, and healthy living workshops; Food wise, most retreats prepare fresh healthy foods using organic or vegan and vegetarian dishes. Special diets are catered for. Some retreats expect you to voluntary give a couple hours of your day towards the running of the centre, such as, helping with the cooking, garden duties or administrative details.

So, if you are keen to learn how to meditate, kick-start or deepen your meditation practice then time spent on a meditation retreat offers you a break from your daily routine to experience the joys of meditation.

And now, if you would like more self care and time-out tips to reduce stress and help you stay energised, relaxed and focused during your day, then I invite you to visit my blog http://www.yogainspires.co.uk/subscribe/ and subscribe to my Free Yoga enewsletter, full of practical inspirations and ideas how to weave yoga, meditation and relaxation exercises into your everyday life.

Plus when you subscribe you will get your Free Instant Access to "Yoga For Beginners-All The Facts And Advice You Need To Start Your First Yoga Class" eBook. Click here for more info> http://www.yogainspires.co.uk/.

Thank You

Stay Blessed and Be Well

From: Ntathu Allen, Yoga and Meditation Teacher

Original article

What If You Could Find a Meditation Retreat That Would Change Your Life?

There are several different types of meditation retreats. There is the usual sort of meditation retreat, which is a quiet place, like a monastery or secluded quiet place, where a person can 'retreat' to for a bit of peace, quietness and reflection. This type of meditation retreat is usually associated with' or affiliated to' some kind of belief system.

There are many Buddhist meditation retreats around the world, and these are usually quiet, out of the way places, where the meditator can enjoy the tranquility of meditation, along with some Buddhist teachings.

The other common type of meditation retreat is the yoga meditation retreat. Again, this is usually a quiet location, where the meditator can enjoy the benefits of meditation, along with the practice of different yoga techniques.

But, let me ask you a question. Why would anyone want to go to a meditation retreat? When I ask this question to people, the answers are few, and almost always the similar. Invariably, they want somewhere to go for a bit of peace and quiet. Somewhere away from the world, where they can escape to. Away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Sounds fair enough to me.

But I have another question. What is the biggest cause of stress and anxiety in your life? You could say your work, or your partner, or your loneliness, or your financial situation, the list could go on and on. But I would suggest that the biggest cause of stress, anxiety and despair in your life is the nature of your mind.

You see, by practicing simple meditation techniques, you can observe for yourself that your mind is continually moving. No matter how much you try and still it, it never quite shuts up.

This is why meditation retreats and yoga meditation retreats are so popular, they teach you meditation techniques and yoga techniques that will help you to reduce the chatter of your mind, and so give you some form of respite from your mind.

So, how can your experience of a meditation retreat be enhanced? My suggestion would be to avoid anything that involves a belief system, as any belief, by definition, is not provable, thus causing a deep uncertainty or insecurity, which in turn causes anxiety.

The second bit of advice about meditation retreats is this. What kind of meditation techniques do they teach or offer? If they allow you to do your own thing, then fair enough. But many meditation retreats expect the meditator to attend some form of social gathering, which usually involves you partaking in some form of ceremony. If that is your thing, then that's fine.

However, our lives are full of assumptions, expectations, ceremonies and traditions that actually are a source of anxiety. For example, many people are invited to thank a 'God' for the blessings they have received. If the good fortunes of life have been bestowed on you by this God, then after thanking him/her for your blessings, how about asking this God to explain the pain, suffering, misery and despair that makes up the existence of billions of lives. And tell him/her that you want to know the answer now, not after death or in some future incarnation.

When you think of the position that a human being is in, that they are acutely aware of their own mortality, and their own vulnerability, that they are being shafted and being fed a heap of lies by politicians and religious leaders alike, on a daily basis, then it is no wonder that the mind won't calm down.

I have run several meditation retreats in the past. They usually involve the meditator meditating for approximately 8 hours per day, for 7 days, on the light and sound that is given at Initiation. Sounds difficult? It is. But it can be the most profound and beautiful thing that you could ever do in your life.

The purpose is to allow your sense of self to let go completely out of the mind. As far as I am aware, these are the only meditation retreats that enable you to do this.

If you would be interested in learning more about a meditation retreat that will take you deeper than you ever thought possible, then I encourage you to contact me through my website, and I will be here for you when you are ready for that step in your life.

Francis Taylor has been teaching meditation all over the world. He believes that it is possible to find the light in this lifetime rather than only when you pass on.

Finding the light will allow you to live a more joyful life. Through meditation and being initiated you will expand and grow to new heights that you never dreamed possible.

It all starts with letting go, being still and observing. You can experience Francis Taylor's enjoyable guided mediation absolutely free of charge by visiting http://www.meditationclassathome.com/.

Original article