 Loyus Pond at Omega Institute |
Zen Mountain Monastery is an American Zen Buddhist monastery and training center on 230 acres in Mt. Tremper. From its inception in 1980, the monastery has maintained an ongoing daily schedule of prayer and monthly meditation intensives (sesshins). On average, 45 special retreats are offered each year, highlighting the Eight Gates of Zen Training, a modern manifestation of Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path, including "Zen and Chinese Wilderness Poetry" and "Drawn to be Wild." You can participate in trainings devoted to "the clear and direct realization of enlightenment in practice," and do so as a full or part-time resident or daytime visitor. (845) 688-2228; zen-mtn.org.
Karma Triyana Dharmachakra is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Woodstock, at the crest of Meads Mountain Road. Its name is Sanskrit and translates loosely as "the place under the spiritual guidance and protection of His Holiness where all three levels of the Buddha's teachings are preserved and taught." It is the North American seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, who escaped from Tibet in 2000 at age 14. Classes and meditation sessions are offered throughout the year. The monastery also works to preserve Tibetan culture. (845) 679-5906; kagyu.org.
Menla Mountain Retreat and Conference Center in Phoenicia comprises 17 buildings on a 320-acre estate surrounded by the New York State Catskill Preserve. It is run by the Tibet House in New York City, a worldwide network of Tibetan institutions committed to preserving Tibet's cultural and spiritual heritage. The Tibet House is dedicated to the idea that the wisdom and arts of all human civilizations vitally enrich the emerging global culture. It offers retreats in yoga, traditional Tibetan medicine and astrology, reiki, meditation, and lectures on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. (845) 688-6897; menla.org.
Elat Chayyim is a Jewish retreat center in Accord where people can explore ancient Jewish wisdom woven with contemporary practices, and learn about mysticism through the Kabbalah. Rabbi-in-Residence David Ingber brings his vision of an "Integral Judaism that honors and attends to all aspects of Spirit, to all its Faces." Retreats are offered throughout the year, including family retreats, gay and lesbian retreats, holiday retreats, and trainings for spiritual leaders. (845) 626-2037; elatchayyim.org.
With 26 acres on the Hudson River in West Park, Holy Cross Monastery has one of the largest monastic retreat facilities in the Episcopal Church. Its many retreat options include learning about monastic life, finding God in nature, meditation in the Christian tradition, and individualized combinations of worship, contemplation, silence, and group activities. (845) 384-6660; www.holycrossmonastery.com.
Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison is part of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. The Friars' mission is fostering "at-one-ment," the unity of people of every race, religion, and walk of life with God and one another. Along with prayer and meditation, over 50 retreats are available for individuals or groups, some on specific topics like marriage or dealing with stress. Several include 12-step programs. Individual midweek overnight stays to relax, reflect, read, and pray are also available. (845) 424-3671; www.atonementfriars.org.
Built in 1904, Mount Saint Alphonsus in Esopus is a former Catholic Redemptorist seminary situated on 400 acres overlooking the Hudson River. It offers the "solitude of retreat and the fellowship of group programs" for people who seek communion with God, self, and others. On site are a castle-like main building with accommodations for over a hundred guests, an exquisite Romanesque chapel, dining hall, and conference rooms. A Retreat Team designs daylong and overnight retreats, workshops, and programs about religion, human services, and education. (845) 384-8000; msaretreat.org.
 Mudra Row at Kripalu |
The world-renowned Omega Institute in Rhinebeck turned 28 this year. Set on 195 acres of rolling hills, Omega's core values are service, integrity, and simplicity, and it attracts some of the world's most famous spiritual teachers. It offers 250 workshops, retreats, and wellness vacations each year from April through October, covering spirituality, body care, energy work, intuitive development, yoga, native wisdom and shamanism, community, the arts, and more. (800) 944-1001; eomega.org.
Peace Village opened six years ago on 300 forested acres in the Catskills (Hunter) as a haven for peace and spirituality. It is operated by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, a "family of individuals from all walks of life" dedicated to helping people bring into their daily lives a positive energy and deepest personal values. This is accomplished primarily through raja yoga meditation and positive thinking courses. Peace Village offers numerous workshops and nurturing retreats, plus specialized programs for healthcare workers, engineers, and other professionals. (518) 589-5000; www.peacevillage.com.
Sky Lake Lodge, on the northern crest of the Shawangunk Mountains in Rosendale, is a Shambhala contemplative center for meditation, arts, and community experience. Shambhala is a practice of meditative understanding accessible to everyone, with a goal of creating an enlightened society through individual awareness. The Lodge welcomes anyone who aspires to bring gentleness and non-aggression into all areas of life and offers workshops, conferences, and personal retreat weekends on Buddhism and Shambhala Arts. (845) 658-8556; sky-lake.org.
The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch in Woodbourne is one of eight ashrams founded by Swami Vishnu-devananda for the practice of yoga and the study of Vedanta (positive thinking). Some of its offerings are week-long yoga intensives, family retreat weeks, a teen camp, and an intensive, month-long yoga teachers' training with a work-study program. (845) 436-6492; sivananda.org.
Pathwork in Phoenicia is a spiritual path of transformation based on 258 teachings ("lectures") from The Guide, a wise presence in spirit channeled by Eva Pierrakos from 1957 until her death in 1979. The teachings emphasize the goodness inherent in people, and encourage self-responsibility and self-knowledge. Weekend retreats offer individual sessions with an experienced Pathwork Helper, as well as group teachings and applied movement exercises. (518) 688-2211; pathworkny.org.
The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health is located in Lenox, Massachusetts and offers classes in yoga, spirituality, nutrition, ayurvedic medicine, and more. Healing arts therapists on staff provide individual massage, energy work, and specializied soul work. The Retreat and Renewal Option is a self-planned "vacation" of experiential workshops, nature walks, yoga classes, and healing arts sessions. (800) 741-7353; kripalu.org.Lauren Yanks teaches humanities at SUNY New Paltz; she goes on retreat at least once a year.