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A sense of calm "The main benefit to a monastery stay is a sense of calm, balance, and perspective," says David Sands, MD, associate professor of Maharishi Vedic Medicine at the College of
Maharishi Vedic Medicine, in Fairfield, Iowa. "After retiring from life's demands for a few days, people feel they are in charge of their lives again and better able to cope."
The principle of Maharishi Vedic Medicine is called nivartadhvam, which means, "retiring." Dr. Sands explains that it means to retire to a state of complete inactivity, primarily through the practice of a
meditation program. The stress-health connection Stress is a common reason people flock to such retreats. "Stress is a major cause of disorders in people. Stress disturbs sleep, social relations,
judgment, performance, and success," says Dr. Sands. "Stress can result in insomnia, indigestion, headaches, fatigue, heartburn, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, arthritis and backaches." Connecting with yourself
"My experience put the world and me back into perspective," says Elizabeth Bennefeld, of Fargo, North Dakota, who stayed at Queen of Peace Retreat Center in Fargo, North Dakota. "You find out who you are apart from
outside demands and definitions placed on you by family, friends and coworkers." Bennefeld says she made 15 weekend retreats and one eight-day retreat over a three-year period, discovering things about herself that she had
little access to before. "I'm a very meditative person. I enjoyed writing down my thoughts and got right into praying."
Learning a new way of life "I wanted to learn how to meditate," says
Myra Nelson, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who attended the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Suan Mokkh, Thailand. "I learned I could survive 10 days without talking, reading or writing. We slept on concrete
pallets, ate two vegetarian meals (breakfast and lunch) a day. For dinner we had tea and a piece of fruit. Bed at 9:00 p.m. and got up at 4:00 a.m. Buddhism is a way of life as well as a religion but there were no religious
services." Nelson's experience at the retreat was extremely different from her everyday life, in which, she says, "every waking moment I had to be doing or thinking or engaged in an activity like reading, writing,
talking, or watching. I had never experienced the serenity that comes from 'mindfulness.'" But now, she says, she's made mindfulness "a habit to practice in my daily life." A look at some retreat houses and monasteries If you're interested in such a retreat, here's a small sampling of what's out there: The Monastery of Christ in the Desert in Abiquiu, New Mexico
http://www.christdesert.org
This retreat offers stays from two nights to three weeks in either double or single rooms. Guests are encouraged to take part in common prayer, meals, and the work of the monastery, but
there is no directed retreat schedule. There are no fixed costs, but donations are encouraged, ranging from $50 a night for a single room to $75 for a guest suite that includes a private bath and a patio overlooking the Chama
River. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts
http://www.kripalu.org
"Retreat and renewal" is the most popular program offered here. This 20-year-old facility was
the former home of a Jesuit seminary, which translates to simple accommodations. You can take classes such as "Consciousness Awareness" or treat yourself to a massage, facial and sauna and a walk around the lake for quiet
meditation. Accommodations run from $77 during the week to $98 on weekends for dormitory rooms. Private rooms range from $129 to $204, depending on the season. The price includes room, meals, and program activities.
Valyermo Retreat in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains on the edge of the Mojave Desert
http://www.valyermo.com
This retreat house offers home-style food shared with the monastic community. Guests are welcome to join the Monks in chanting in this self-directed retreat
center. Suggested donation for a weekend stay is $120, which includes two nights lodging and six meals. The Raj in Fairfield, Iowa
http://www.theraj.com
This retreat center is
based on the principles of Maharishi Ayur-Veda, a 6,000-year-old system of preventive healthcare from India. Medical doctors prescribe all treatments. The Raj has a three-day minimum package for first-timers and longer stays for
the more advanced programs. This enclave, located in the heart of Iowa cornfields, has a French country-style main building that showcases elegant simplicity. Three-day packages are $1,626. |
