Meditation has become one of the most popular ways to relax and unwind after a long day. Due to this, meditation retreats have become a desirable getaway for mediation newbies and enthusiasts alike. There are several you can visit across the world, but did you know that there are also online ones so that you can get Zen without leaving the comfort of your home?
Some of the best soul-calming online meditation retreats come from:
- Ten Percent Happier Live
- Do-Nothing Project Live
- Insight Meditation Society
- Spirit Rock Meditation Center
- Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
- Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley
- Garrison Institute Online
Below, we will explain how you can participate in online meditation retreats at home, detail how they work and what a typical online retreat schedule is like, and highlight seven of the best programs available for you to try from anywhere in the world or from the comfort of your personal abode.
Article Contents
Can You Do an Online Meditation Retreat at Home?
Online mediation retreats were created as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, so they were designed so that people could participate in a variety of guided and individual meditation activities from their homes. Well-known meditation centers have adapted and converted their offerings to an online format.
To successfully participate in a meditation retreat at home, make sure you have the following:
- The motivation to complete the whole retreat, so you don’t quit when you are bored
- A quiet and distraction-free space to participate with a stable internet connection
- A clear reason why you want to do the meditation retreat in the first place
- An idea of the type of meditation retreat you want to participate in, as well as the activities you would be interested in
- People around you that will give you the privacy you need or a quiet space to focus
- A journal to write your reflections in so that you can unplug from technology when unnecessary and be in the moment
All of these elements will ensure that your retreat is the most successful it can be, which will provide you with a host of spiritual and physical benefits.
Creating Your Own Meditation Retreat
You also have the option of designing your own meditation retreat if you would prefer not to adhere to a pre-determined schedule. The ability to make the retreat your own is what makes the DIY retreat stand out, but it does take more time to prepare than the standard online retreat.
When planning your schedule, think about the activities you enjoy doing and the attributes of your spiritual and physical life you would like to improve. This will make the retreat more meaningful and personal to you. The following is an example of a sample schedule you can use as a template to build your retreat from:
| 6:30-7:00 | Mindful movement |
| 7:00-9:00 | Breakfast |
| 9:00-9:30 | Sitting |
| 9:30-10:00 | Walking/movement |
| 10:00-10:30 | Sitting |
| 10:30-11:00 | Walking/movement |
| 11:00-2:00 | Lunch, rest, read, movement |
| 2:00-2:30 | Sitting |
| 2:30-3:30 | Walking/movement |
| 3:30-4:00 | Heart meditation |
| 4:00-4:30 | Walking |
| 4:30-5:00 | Sitting |
| 5:00-7:00 | Dinner and walking |
| 7:00-7:30 | Sitting |
| 7:30-8:00 | Walking |
| 8:00-8:45 | Listening to dharma talk |
| 8:45-9:30 | Stretch or walk, then sit |
Once you have everything you need, you may embark on your journey of relaxation and enlightenment, whether it is an organized retreat from a meditation center or one that you created for yourself.
The next section will explain how virtual retreats usually function, regardless of format, so that you have an idea of what to expect and can get ready for the experience.
How Does an Online Meditation Retreat Typically Work?
A virtual meditation retreat is designed as closely as possible to its in-person counterpart within the confines of a virtual platform like Zoom or Google Meet by using a phone, laptop, or tablet. As such, several different breakout rooms host varying activities that are held in separate virtual sessions.
Participants are given the telephone number or link to enter each room and simply sign in at the time of each activity. Then they can be part of everything that is scheduled for the duration of the retreat. A short pre-retreat meeting is held to ensure that participants are not experiencing technical difficulties and have everything ready for their meditative journey.
There is also time allotted for meals, rest, and self-care so that you are not glued to a screen at all hours of the day. However, the time used for these necessary tasks should match the purpose of the retreat and complement the activities that you are doing. Otherwise, you will break your mode of relaxation and will not receive as many benefits from the experience as you could have.
The same thing applies to any break period you receive for the duration of the retreat. This time in your life should be solely dedicated to meditation and the activities associated with it.
7 Soul-Calming Online Meditation Retreats
There are various online retreats available for you to choose from now that holding events in a virtual format has become more common. Each has a unique itinerary, so you can select the one that best fits your preferences.
These are just some of the options that you choose from:
1. Ten Percent Happier Live
Every day of the week at 3 PM, Dan Harris hosts a live meditation experience featuring some of the best meditation experts for people of all levels interested in the practice to give you the perfect way to relax during the busy workweek. They are 5 minute meditation periods followed by a Q&A session so that you can ask the experts your questions and maybe find a new mentor.
2. The Do-Nothing Project Live Broadcast
Meditation teacher and author Jack Warren provide a free interactive and engaging group meditation session every Sunday at 8 PM and every Wednesday at noon, and meditation lovers of all levels can attend. You can participate in the meditation, tune in to listen, or zone out and get into a relaxed headspace. It is laid-back, playful, and meant for you to enjoy.
3. Insight Meditation Society Online Retreats
Insight Meditation Society is one of the premier non-profit meditation retreat centers in the US—located in Barre, Massachusetts—that has transitioned many of its offerings online to accommodate the needs of those who are staying safe in their homes.
Program offerings include a virtual meditation retreat with the society’s co-founders, an introduction to a meditation retreat for newcomers, and a loving-kindness retreat.
There are four main types of online programs they offer:
- Signature programs – the retreat type options with a packed schedule that last anywhere from 2 to 7 days
- Mini retreats – these are held on Saturday or Sunday and are half a day of intensive meditation practice
- Daily home practice – daily guided meditation and reflections offered free of charge to help you center yourself no matter where you are
- Special events – exclusive opportunities to learn from expert instructors and participate in unique experiences of all different lengths and topics
Aside from these retreats, the society also provides numerous resources so that you can keep up with your practice on your own. These are perfect for those who prefer to do their meditation at their own pace whenever they have time.
4. Spirit Rock Meditation Center Online Retreats
Spirit Rock Meditation Center is a top-of-the-line non-profit meditation retreat center located in Woodacre, California. They have curated various online offerings, including Connection, Compassion, and Courage amid the Global Pandemic and an Equanimity Retreat.
Other activities you can choose from include weekly sitting groups and day programs. You register for these beforehand, and those who wish to drop in have to donate to the center. There are also free online resources in either audio, visual, or video format for you to practice meditation at home.
Their calendar is filled with different online events so check them out if you want to give them a try. There’s no time like the present to try something new.
5. Cambridge Insight Meditation Center Online Retreats
As the name suggests, these retreats are hosted by instructors and guest teachers at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have long programs and drop-in sessions offered online. Options include everything from a Beginner’s Insight meditation retreat to the Magnanimous Heart for Experienced Practitioners.
They also have archives of their Wednesday morning programs for you to reference in your spare time. Making meditation accessible and affordable is one of the center’s goals, along with allowing more people to integrate meditation more fluidly into their daily lives.
6. Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley
This meditation center operates through donations to provide all services free of charge to the public. They do not turn anyone away if they cannot pay because they want to make Buddhist teachings accessible to all who are interested. They typically provide services in-person but have moved everything to a public Zoom server in light of the pandemic.
The community meditation center is located in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Their website also has a page of information dedicated to those who are new to the practice of meditation so you can learn how to start meditation for beginners.
7. Garrison Institute Online Meditation Retreats
The Garrison Institute is a non-profit meditation center located in Garrison, New York. They offer in-person retreats with appropriate precautions as well as a calendar full of virtual retreats and events. Webinars on various soul-centering topics and a noontime meditation group are also available. (If meditation groups are your thing, make sure to check out these online meditation groups!)
Their website has many resources for meditation gurus of any level that are looking for assistance on their calming journey. A multitude of blog posts is up for you to peruse, focusing on everything from parenting with connection to emotional regulation in times of uncertainty.
Conclusion
Online meditation retreats from the comfort of your home are possible, whether you sign up for a pre-planned retreat or design your own. They are held through Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms, and there are many options to choose from. If you are looking for a way to start your spiritual journey, but are not sure how, online retreats may be just the thing for you.
(Wondering how to do online meditation? Check out that article to learn more!)
Whether you choose one of these retreats or pick one that better fits your style, you are sure to find one that you enjoy because more and more meditation centers that would typically give in-person services are embracing the virtual environment as a way to bring their services to a broader audience and change more lives.
