The hub of the New England region, Massachusetts was one of the original 13 colonies, a fact well reflected in its history and character. Its capital Boston is renowned as a historical, cultural, and educational centre offering plenty of attractions such as the Freedom Trail and Fenway Park. Visitors to the state can enjoy a plethora of experiences - natural wonders like fall foliage, whale-watching, winery tours, and gorgeous beaches towns like Martha’s Vineyard are just some examples. Beautiful lakes, amazing monasteries, and waterfalls are also some of the treasured gems. If you are looking to spend some time recharging yourself, continue reading to learn about some of the best meditation retreats in Massachusetts, USA.
1. Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston, Brookline
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston has been running for over 45 years and conducts public meditation programs while teaching the learnings of Shambhala lineage. You can enrol in Learn to Meditate, organised every first Sunday of the month. Here, you will learn about meditation, its techniques, and how to create and follow mindfulness practice under the guidance of an experienced trainer. The one-hour session is free and suitable for all types of meditators.
The centre also features two halls to practice meditation, tai chi, and yoga.
Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston
Address: 646 Brookline Avenue Brookline, MA 02445 United States
2. Kadampa Meditation Center Boston, Cambridge
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Kadampa Meditation Center Boston offers various informative classes to teach different meditation techniques and the teachings of Lord Buddha.
You can enrol in one of the many classes organised here to take a leaf out of Buddha’s teachings and break free from old patterns and habits with guided meditation. This is followed by a question and answer session. The charges are 12 USD per class and free for members. Moreover, they also organise workshops twice a month and retreats in January.
Kadampa Meditation Center Boston
Address: 2298 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140, United States
3. Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
Insight Meditation Society offers a range of retreats that are based on two kinds of Buddhist meditation practices - vipassana and metta. The center has an all-year schedule of meditation courses - shorter courses (weekend to three months) are offered at the Retreat Center while Forest Center is geared towards longer-term retreats (minimum a week up to a year). It also has a silent retreat in Massachusetts where participants can volunteer service as a part of the activity, where they work for five hours observing silent work-as-practice. All programs offer sliding scale pricing with three options.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center
Address:1230 Pleasant Street, Barre MA
4. Genesis Spiritual Life Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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Posted by Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center on Tuesday, May 26, 2020
At Genesis Spiritual Life Center, participants can choose from different types of retreats such as guided retreats, silent retreats, silent BioSpiritual Focusing retreats and Retreat in Everyday Life. Retreats offer prayer sessions, one-on-one guidance with spiritual leaders as well as outdoor exercises, depending on the type of retreat. The centre also offers the option of solo and private retreats. Although it is not a spa resort, it still has a variety of therapies, such as yoga, massage therapy, and Reiki.
Genesis Spiritual Life Center
Address: 53 Mill Street, Westfield MA
5. Nine Mountain Retreats
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Nine Mountain Retreats on Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Nine Mountain Retreats is a community-led retreat center located in midst of woods that hosts workshops and retreats on a wide range of themes including spirituality, creative workshops, healing practices and social change-related activities. The center also offers its space to groups wishing to hold their own retreats and provides necessary support to them.
Nine Mountain Retreats
Address: 9 Mountain St., Plainfield MA
6. Spirit Fire Retreat Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
**Intentions Retreat - Next Weekend** -- An intention is a purposeful thought and it is usually supported by...
Posted by Spirit Fire on Saturday, January 18, 2020
Spirit Fire Retreat Center is set amidst private forest land and offers a serene environment. Even though it is not a romantic hotel, it is still perfect for spending quiet days rejuvenating with your loved ones. There are three options available - you can join the various centre-organised retreats offered at regular intervals, host your own group event there or opt for a personal retreat. The retreat’s meditation programs are based on various reflective themes such as silence. It also offers retreats that are based on its own meditation program called the Practice of Living Awareness.
The retreat center makes available several amenities for those seeking to hold group events here including catering, accommodation and meeting rooms/workspaces. The personal retreat option includes access to a private bedroom with ensuite bathroom and daily meals for a per-night charge.
Spirit Fire Retreat Center
Address: 407 W. Leyden Road, Leyden MA
7. Vipassana Meditation Centre
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Dhamma Dharā on Tuesday, May 20, 2014
It is a Buddhist retreat in Massachusetts that offers a residential course based on the Buddhist meditation technique of vipassana. The method taught here is based on the teachings of S.N. Goenka and is completely non-sectarian.
The course is a rigorous one, lasting for ten full days and requires adhering to a code of discipline which requires among other things complete silence and abstinence from stimulants like alcohol. The course is free, with the option to donate if so desired at the end of the course.
Vipassana Meditation Centre
Address: 386 Colrain Shelburne Road, Shelburne MA
8. Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center - A Learning Center For Peace
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Operated by the Brahma Kumaris, the BK Learning Center for Peace is a large venue that teaches the group’s meditation practice called Raja Yoga meditation. A fresh course starts on the first Monday of every month for free. Weekend courses also offered covering the same course. For regular practitioners, daily practise session are held in the mornings/evenings.
Additional workshops, courses and seminars are also offered by the group on subjects such as overcoming anger, managing stress and positive thinking. Residential courses on meditation are as well offered at regular intervals.
Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center - A Learning Center For Peace
Address: 75 Common St, Watertown MA
9. Boundless Way Temple/Worcester Zen Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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Posted by Boundless Way Temple (Mugendo-ji) on Tuesday, June 9, 2020
This Buddhist temple located in Worcester provides a welcoming space to learn and practice traditional Zen techniques such as breath awareness, mindfulness and koan. Daily sessions are held morning and evening for an hour. In addition to these mediation sessions, the temple teachers also offer special events, workshops and seminars.
Boundless Way Temple/Worcester Zen Center
Address: 1030 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA
10. Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center in Massachusetts offers classes, sessions, and workshops based on the Buddhist practice of Insight Meditation (vipassana). The center hosts classes for beginners as well as practice sessions for more advanced practitioners with guidance from teachers. Workshops and seminars are offered on various themes such as deepening meditation practice, gratitude and awareness. Weekly dharma talks by the center’s teachers are also available.
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
Address: 331 Broadway, Cambridge MA
11. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health offers a bevvy of courses across yoga, meditation, self-help and Ayurveda. Based on the teachings of its founder Swami Kripalu, the center has a mix of online and residential courses. In case of retreats, participants can create their own program which could comprise a mix of yoga, outdoor activities, reflective workshops, meditation and movement classes. Pricing varies depending on whether it’s a mid-week retreat, a weekend one, or a one-day session.
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
Address: PO Box 309, 57 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge MA
Rate: Starts from 85 USD
12. Advaita Meditation Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Advaita Meditation Center on Thursday, April 25, 2013
This retreat centre in Massachusetts offers meditation classes and retreats based on the principles of Advaita Vedanta and the practice of mantra meditation. An introductory one-day workshop is held periodically for beginners. For more advanced practitioners regular sessions are held to enable better understanding of Advaita Vedanta and meditation.
The weekly open meditation classes offer a less formal setting where anyone can drop in. Advaita Meditation Center’s weekend courses are geared towards practitioners working with teachers to understand and deepen their spiritual practice. The center also offers Sanskrit classes.
Advaita Meditation Center
Address: 28 Worcester Lane Waltham MA
Take some time out for yourself
A stressful and hectic lifestyle can drain you out and that’s where such healing courses step in. Switch off from the outer world and enjoy some quiet solitude which allows you to rest, heal and self-reflect. Our list of the best meditation retreats in Massachusetts, USA, cover great centres that provide a wonderful mix of scenic grounds, healthy living and calming healing practices. You can pick from group sessions to personal retreats depending on your needs. So go ahead and check out these fantastic places.
If you’re looking for more accommodations, however, do check out the best lakefront Vrbo rentals and hotels with spa that are also available in the area.
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