Escape the Post Election Blues at a Meditation Retreat.
November 7, 2008 by Liz Lewis
Filed under Green Health, Happy Living Tip, How To, Philosophy, Prevention, Travel and Health, Your Mind
What seemed like the longest political campaign, ever, is finally over. A president has been chosen and you can go back to watching the soap operas, Oprah, cartoons, sports, or whatever else you used to watch before life became saturated with political coverage.
Except for some, it’s not that easy. After months of intense dedication to the cause, suddenly it’s over and irregardless whether your candidate was the chosen one or not, there’s now a huge void in your life.
The ‘post election blues’ have struck.
You need a place to unwind…a place to relax…a place without television…without internet…without blackberry access.
Sounds like you need … a meditation retreat. It’s the perfect place to clear you mind, relax your body, commune with nature, and simply get away from it all.
Start reading this list of America’s top meditation retreats put together by Forbes Traveler and you’ll soon be wishing you could be there…
The Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Ky – once the home of author and monk Thomas Merton, whose spiritual journey inspired millions, this old Trappist monastery (1848) is now a center for renewal and peace.
Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, Mass – set in the peaceful Berkshires, this retreat offers over 700 experiential workshops and has one of the world’s best yoga spas.
Menla Mountain Retreat, Phoenicia, N.Y – located in the Catskills, this retreat is popular with stressed-out New Yorkers.
Breitenbush Hot Springs, Detroit, Oregon – with over 154 acres of wildlife sanctuary, this retreat is the perfect place to escape from the connected world.
Shambhala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado – even better, this Colorado retreat has 600 acres to get lost (in thought) in.
Mount Madonna, Santa Cruz, California – overlooking Monterey Bay, this retreat is home to a silent monk who hasn’t uttered a word since 1952, communicating by writing on a small chalkboard.
Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, N.Y. -this Hudson Valley retreat attracts people in search of inspiration and rejuvenation.
Ala Kukui, Hana, Maui, Hawaii – legend has it that this retreat is located in an area of Hana known as “the land where the heavens meet the earth.”
The Abode of the Message, New Lebanon, N.Y. – once a Shaker community, this retreat has historic Shaker buildings, an organic farm and gardens, abundant wildlife, hermitage huts, campgrounds, hiking trails and a swimming pond.
Esalen, Big Sur, California – this legendary new age retreat offers spectacular views as you open your mind.
Okay, so heading to a meditation retreat to get over the post election blues does seem a little over the top. But still, it was fun to dream…
(photo by Liz Lewis)
Nice list of retreats!
R:)
I agree. They all sound like the perfect place to rest and relax…but all that relaxed feeling might disappear at the end of the stay when the bill is presented!!!