Going for a retreat can be beneficial to your physical, mental and spiritual health. A retreat is capable of bringing about positive changes in your life by helping you achieve inner peace. The world is at war and it is important to get away from the chaos of our surroundings to a place of serenity so that you have the ability to create positive effects in your environment.

The purpose of spiritual retreats

Retreats undertaken for positive changes to the self are spiritual retreats. Anyone can go on a retreat for the following reasons:

• To discover your real self and realize ways of improving yourself.
• To spend time in reflection and find inner peace.
• To determine your life’s goal and purpose and seek further meaning beyond a materialistic life.
• To heal yourself of old hurt and pain and learn to forgive so that you can begin to move on with your life.
• To create and breathe life into something. This is usually expressed in the form of artistic creation.

Venues for retreats

There are a host of options from which you can choose the venue of a spiritual retreat. They can be conducted at guest houses, spas, monasteries, bed and breakfasts, spas, etc. However, most people really prefer going to isolated and secluded locations for a retreat as it allows true privacy and solitude. Ideal locations would be in the midst of huge open spaces surrounded by beautiful scenery to remind everyone of the true beauty of life.

Many retreat centers are fully catered with housekeeping services. However, there are other venues which give you the option to do your own cooking and cleaning for a more humble experience.

Who are the retreats for?

Literally anyone can go for a retreat. Most often people go on individual retreats even though the retreat itself is conducted for an entire group. There are a number of retreats for couples, families and other miscellaneous groups. A group of office co-workers could go for a spiritual retreat.

Activities at retreats

Most spiritual retreats are conducted among a group of people who are unknown to each other. After everyone has registered and checked in, there is an orientation program where schedules are handed out and introductions are made. Ice breakers are a very important tool when dealing with a group of strangers as it sparks the process of getting to know one another. These exercises are usually conducted with a deeper purpose.

A retreat generally lasts for a few days and the schedule includes a diverse range of activities for everyone. There are designated times for meals and alone time. There are group activities throughout the day which are aimed at improvement of inter-personal relationships. Participants are encouraged to go on walks and indulge in healthy habits.

There are workshops at spiritual retreats which provide the people there with the tools to live a satisfied and content life. Movies, competitions, sports, talent shows, meditation, etc. can all be useful activities at a retreat.