What To Expect at Monastic Retreats

Modern life is hard on the human brain. Internet and smartphone usage mean that we are more connected than ever before. Ironically, this constant stream of information can make people feel isolated and disconnected from themselves and others. An excellent way to combat this is to unplug and recenter by attending a monastic retreat.

But what is a monastic retreat? What should participants expect, and how do these retreats help treat burnout? Do true monastic retreats even exist in today’s world?

Read on to learn more about what to expect at monastic retreats and how these unique experiences can help you deal with the stressors of modern living.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Monastic Retreat?
• 7 Common Elements of a Monastic Retreat
• Who Should Attend a Monastic Retreat?
• Who May Not Be the Best Candidates for Monastic Retreats?
• If a Monastic Retreat Isn’t Right for You, Consider These Sedona Mago Retreats Instead
• Find the Retreat That’s Right for You at Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat

What Is a Monastic Retreat?

A monastic retreat is a retreat that takes place in or near a monastery. Monasteries are organizations that house monks, monastics, or nuns who live under a religious order and dedicate themselves to contemplation, prayer, faith, and good works.

People often associate monks with men in brown robes and funny haircuts from the Middle Ages, a relic of a bygone era. However, the truth is that monks and monasteries still exist. There is no single “type” of monastery — they are as different as the faiths and religious orders they represent.

Monastic retreats allow people to step into the quiet and ordered world of the monk to enjoy the benefits of this structured, calm, and fulfilling lifestyle. Every monastic retreat is as unique as the monastery, but there do tend to be similar elements.

Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat offers a variety of retreat options for whatever you might need. Learn more about our offerings and plan your retreat today.

7 Common Elements of a Monastic Retreat

#1: Silence

Life is noisy — kids needing your attention, your phone pinging constantly, the TV blaring. Monastic retreats often center around long periods of silence, intended to calm the mind and allow the participant to hear their spiritual voice within.

For example, the participants of Sedona Mago’s Retreats will experience long periods of silence and solitude, surrounded by the striking beauty of the Arizona desert. These traditions, based on ancient Korean wisdom, are designed to connect the body, mind, and spirit through uninterrupted contemplation.

#2: Prayer and Solitude

Not all monastic retreats are faith-based. For the ones that are, prayer and solitude play a big role. For example, a Catholic-based retreat may involve time spent praying alone, while a Buddhist retreat may involve long stretches in silent meditation. The goals of these practices differ, but the intention is to build a closer relationship with your faith through dedicated time.

#3: Structure (or Not)

Many, but not all, monastic retreats have a structure. The days follow a predictable schedule, usually including a meeting with a director or counselor, scripture readings, prayer times, and time for silent contemplation.

This structure is intended to give you space to free your mind. Much like a flower growing on a trellis, your path is guided so that your mind can bloom. However, if structure and schedule aren’t your thing, many retreats are unstructured.

#4: Participation in Monastic Liturgy

For religious monastic retreats, there is usually a schedule set around certain liturgical practices, which are structured worship times. These practices vary based on religion. For example, a Christian-based monastic retreat may have times for confession, prayer services, and the Eucharist.

Of course, not all monastic retreats are faith-based. For those retreats, like many offered at the Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat, the time is structured for participants to connect with their spirituality in their own way, whatever that looks like for them.

#5: Immersion in Nature

Connecting with nature is a great way to unplug from modern stressors and get in touch with spirituality. That is why so many monastic retreats are centered around nature and working with the natural world. Whether it is walking the monastery gardens or taking in the gorgeous Arizona Sedona desert, immersion in nature is a common element of these retreats because it helps us slow down and engage with the world around us.

#6: Community

A big benefit of monastic retreats is community time with the monks and other participants. This usually takes place over meals, where participants eat the same food as the monks. This can be an all-vegetarian diet if that is a tenet of the faith, or consist of simple food that is grown on-site.

Some retreats, like those offered at Sedona Mago, can accommodate meal preferences and allergies such as veganism and gluten intolerance. Others require that you eat the same meal as the monastics. If you have food allergies or a specific diet it is important to check the menu ahead of time.

#7: Divine Reading

In addition to prayer, meditation, and silent contemplation, reading is a large part of monastic retreats. While some retreats might be good for a relaxing beach read, most monastic retreats suggest reading that coincides with your retreat goals.

These can be divine texts, and/or selected works from philosophers and other leaders of the monastic faith. The reading works with the other elements of the retreat to help the participant feel connected with their spirituality and themselves. Many retreats offer fully stocked libraries for participants to choose from.

Who Should Attend a Monastic Retreat?

Naturally, those of a faith-based background can get a lot of connection and enlightenment from attending a monastic retreat within their faith. However, religious people are far from the only ones who can benefit from a monastic retreat. Even if the retreat is of a faith that you are not a part of, there is great joy and insightfulness that can be gleaned from the structured, spiritually rich atmosphere.

Monastic retreats are great for:

• People interested in the history of the monastic order
• Those who feel a spiritual void in their life
• Anyone interested in unplugging and slowing down to reconnect with self
• People who are seeking a connection with the divine
• Those who seek rest and renewal in a spiritually enriching atmosphere

Who May Not Be the Best Candidates for Monastic Retreats?

Many people, religious and non-religious alike, can benefit from monastic retreats. However, they are not for everyone. If you are a staunch atheist or if you have religious trauma, it may be best to avoid faith-based monastic retreats. The same goes for people who are spiritual but uncomfortable with organized religion, as well as people who simply dislike rigid structure,

If that sounds like you, don’t worry! There are still lots of spiritually refreshing retreat options available for people who aren’t interested in monastic retreats.

If a Monastic Retreat Isn’t Right for You, Consider These Sedona Mago Retreats Instead

If you are not interested in a monastic retreat, that’s okay — not everyone is a good fit for faith-based retreats. However, that doesn’t mean that you are without options for a spiritual retreat. If you are seeking spiritual refreshment and reconnection without the drawbacks of monastic retreats, consider one of these Sedona Mago retreats.

Sedona Meditation Weekend

Sedona Mago’s Meditation Weekend is the perfect retreat for anyone who is feeling burnt out and disconnected from modern society. Meditation is an ancient calming and centering technique, but studies have shown that meditation can have many physical and mental benefits useful to modern life, such as:

• Improved stress management
• Emotional regulation and support
• Lessened anxiety
• Improved attention span
• Improved rest and sleep
• And more

At Sedona Mago’s Sedona Meditation Weekend retreat, you will learn effective meditation techniques to help find tranquility in the storm of modern life. These include practicing mindful meditation, the art of quieting the mind, breathwork techniques, and other mindful tools to help bring connection to the mind, body, and soul. All of our teachings are based on Korean yoga and the ancient teachings of Sun Tao.

R&R Retreat

Does your career leave you feeling misused and drained? Family responsibilities burning you out? Overwhelmed by modern life? You might just be the perfect candidate for Sedona Mago’s R&R Retreat.

Unwind in our gorgeous Sedona desert property, and enjoy the many sacred sights. Walk the local trails or simply relax in the private and shared casitas. This retreat is loosely structured, yet designed to provide ample time for meditation, journaling, and reflection in a spiritually rich atmosphere.

Sedona Intuitive Healing Retreat

Are you feeling lost to yourself? Spiritually disconnected and unable to give your body and mind what it needs? If so, consider Sedona Mago’s Sedona Intuitive Healing Retreat. This retreat is designed to help you get in touch with your inner guidance through meditation, spiritual readings, and techniques to tap your spiritual energy.

At Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being & Retreat, we believe that many of the answers we seek can be found within. By learning more about your intuition, you will be able to make better choices for yourself throughout your life.

Find the Retreat That’s Right for You at Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat

We cannot guarantee that a monastic retreat is right for you. However, we do believe that most people can benefit greatly from the retreats we offer. From a weekend of peace and relaxation to reconnecting with spirituality, Sedona Mago’s Center for Well-Being and Retreat is a spiritual oasis in times of modern stress. Check out our website and see how our retreats can help you.

Our retreats take place on our beautiful property in the Sedona desert. Considered a location of great spiritual power, the Red Rocks create the perfect backdrop for our programs. Our teachings are based on centuries of traditional Sun Tao teachings. We also offer healing services designed to help you re-center and get in touch with your inner guidance, as well as mindful Korean yoga. All set on our beautiful grounds, which feature elegant desert gardens and a lake.

Whatever your retreat goals, Sedona Mago Center can help you reach them. Contact us today to learn more.