What is a retreat?

A retreat is what you make it. Mostly retreats are a place to be quiet, introspective and a place where we can develop our spiritual selves and grow as modern human beings.

A retreat could be just to get some time away, meet new people, develop healthy practices, discover many things about ourselves or even find our true mission in life. There are hundreds of different types of retreats, from living in a tepee in Cornwall to praying in a monastery in Scotland. The following descriptions explain some of the different types of retreats and some of the practices they provide for you. The important point is that what works for one person may not work for another, follow your instincts and your passion, there are many different rivers that all flow into the same sea...

Types of Retreats

Monasteries, Temples and Churches
Here the retreat practice is usually organised by monks or nuns or sanyasi who usually live within an organised religious community or monastery. The regime varies greatly between different organisations but they are usually pious, quiet places where they community join every day in meditation or prayers within a temple or church. Much of the time is taken up in spiritual activity and the practice can be quite vigorous for the city minded, although extremely nourishing and worthwhile for reflection, spiritual growth and a needed break from the rapid pace and stresses of life.

Retreat Centres
Retreat centres can be more lively places where many different healing and complementary practices and workshops take place. From living as a community member to taking part in a weekend workshop or a guided retreat, centres can be a hub of exciting, relaxing and fun activities. Most centres are either spiritual or religious in a holistic way or simply places to relax, unwind and have fun.

Christianity
A Christian retreat is an opportunity to withdraw from the increasingly hectic daily round, to spend time at rest with God in prayer and meditation. There will generally be a leader who shares some words of encouragement at times during the day, accompanied possibly with a hymn or song. However, it is not essential to attend these sessions. Below are a few comments from people who have been on a retreat for just a single day.

"I came weary and feeling separated from God. Today, I found Him again and feel He shared His heart with me."

"I saw things that had happened (in my life) in a fresh light and I am amazed at God’s on-going and faithful care of me."

"I feel ready to face the world again."

Buddhism
Siddhatha Gotama who lived in India some 2,500 years ago became Buddha or the "awakened one" after many attempts to find enlightenment. Meditation proved to be very successful in reaching peace of mind and freedom from the wheel of life or karma.

The Buddha then taught what he had experienced and how he achieved this awakening orally through teaching or dhamma (teaching or essence) to the sangha (community of disciples or religious order).

The Buddha's teachings then spread throughout Asia and even further afield. As Buddhism expanded several schools eventually emerged. These can be broadly grouped into: Theravada - thriving in Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand, Mahayana - is mainly the interpretation from China, Korea and Japan and Vajrayana which is practised in Tibet. Today there are retreats and monasteries all round the world practising these forms of Buddhism. Search our directory to find out more.

Buddha encouraged meditation. Insight Meditation (Vipassana) is one method that is frequently practised. Mindfulness meditation is also practised widely among the Buddhist community. It has been said that Buddhism not really a religion but more a way of life. The Kalama sutra expounds this.

Ch'an and Zen:
Ch'an is the Chinese interpretation of Buddhism and Zen is the Japanese interpretation of Ch'an.

Ch'an literally is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyana or meditation. Around 500 AD a monk known in China as Da Mo or Bodhidharma travelled from India with the Buddha's' teaching. Apparently he lived at the Songshan Shaolin Temple in China. There Ch'an was born and Bodidharma become the first patriarch in China. Taoist and Confucian philosophies integrated into the Ch'an culture and practice. It became widespread in China and won the governments favour from the 10-12 th century AD when it started to become integrated into the Japanese culture by travelling monks and became known as Zen Buddhism in Japan.

Ch'an and Zen focuses mainly on sitting meditation and intuition to reach enlightenment, nirvana and contentedness rather than the study of scriptures. A famous Zen master was once quoted as saying, "Zen is like a one handed clap". This is a Koan (a riddle used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning).

Meditation brings about a deeper awareness and understanding of our attachments and desires which can help us to be more contented, help develop better concentration and calmness of mind.

For further reading about practical Zen Buddhism: Easy-To-Use Zen, by David Scott or for more information visit: http://www.zenbuddhism.co.uk

Taoism
Known as the way or true path to finding the perfect balance between yin and yang and harmony of natural forces for longevity, enlightenment and also sometimes the way of the warrior. This "way" is the evolution of the Chinese religious and philosophical movement from their great treatise: the IChing. The Taoist philosophy and way of life was really solidified by Lao Tsu in his seminal book of poems and parables entitled "Tao Te Ching" The Way and its Power that appeared around the 6th century BC. Though it's origins and oral communication probably date back much further.

Tai Chi and other forms of Chinese exercise and meditation form the core practices of Taoism to help balance, healing and self defence.

Hindu: TBA

Non-religious
Retreats that may take part in spiritual, healing practices and sometimes community life though are not assigned to any religion or belief system.

Spiritual
Focusing on spiritual awareness and development using many practices that are focused in one form of spirituality. There are many such spiritual movements with varying practices and philosophies. The secret is to find what works for you, helps you to be good, healthy, kind to others, and kind to mother nature.

Holistic
The holistic approach is looking at the whole person or the whole natural cycle of life. It is derived from the word "whole" which itself is derived from the word "holy" so to be "holy" you have to be whole. There are quite literally hundreds of holistic and complimentary therapies available from retreats and spas. Spa-ark only attempts to put across information about the main practices although some of the retreats listed include many practices and therapies not listed here.

Community life
Living on a community can be very enjoyable and rewarding. We can learn about ourselves and our part in society. Many people take time out of city or town life to join a community where life is centred around your immediate household and working together to develop and grow with a common cause or understanding.