Guide to Solitary Spiritual Retreat Centers

Some of you might want some time alone for reflection. Maybe there has been recent life changes or you just need some time to unwind and recharge. I personally find time alone very beneficial as a way to reflect upon what has happened and future directions. Here is a post that lists "hermitages, cabins and other places of spiritual reflection", thanks to the TAT Foundation. It might be just what you need.

His listing of retreat facilities will help you find a place of solitude to spend quiet time in reflection. Places offering only communal meals are included, and noted as such, for consideration of those doing fasting retreats. Places with shared kitchen facilities are included and noted as such. Facilities requiring previous instruction, active guidance or a particular belief-system are not included.
Many facilities require reservations, sometimes months ahead due to popularity. (For a last minute budget alternative, try an inexpensive motel room with kitchenette, especially during an area's off-season.) The majority are run by religious organizations but welcome all guests. Also, many either operate on a suggested-donation basis or reduce charges for those unable to pay the full amount. Costs under $40/night or the equivalent are noted as "economical." Stays of a week or longer are sometimes discounted. Note: click on the facility's site link for additional information.
To read the original click here.

thanks to Phil Franta for this picture

The TAT Foundation is an interesting group as well. It was founded by Richard Rose "to provide a forum for friendship and the spiritual search". They meet hold events 4 times a year at their Headquarters in West Virginia, and there are also various study groups hosted by individual members in their own communities. for $40 per year you could become a member of this non-profit, totally volunteer spiritual group.

While TAT has no dogma or creed, it does have a core viewpoint. These core values were eloquently described by one of the founding and still-active members as follows:
  The search for Truth and Self-definition through self-inquiry and...
  Honest and open discussion of the ways and means for accomplishing this among friends and fellow seekers.
The original is here.

If you wish to know more about TAT or about the retreat listings, contact TAT at tatsociety@tatfoundation.org or online at http://tatfoundation.org.

Psychics and Healers Wanted

This is not my typical article but the notice came through the Humanity Healing University, a good source for information and learning. As they advertise for their online campus for Humanity Healing University, "Supporting the like-minded souls of the new conscious planetary culture".
Well back to the job opportunity. The organization is called the Supreme Psychics, and they are presently looking for "gifted psychics, clairvoyants, tarot card readers and astrologers" to join their team. All you need is a computer connection, a webcam and of course a computer. I suspect you also need psychic or healing expertise and experience, but they are encouraging anyone to apply.The benefits are enticing: work from anywhere in the world, set your own hours, make money and get paid every two weeks, 24/7 technical support. Well check it out. It might be for you or someone you know.
To read the full report click here.

Spiritual Trip of the Week: Bali with Guides

The Spirit Quest Tours staff have done it again and now they are taking a group to Bali June 22-28, 2013. The itinerary sounds heavenly - massages, great restaurants, well here it is:

•Visit with Ketut Liyer, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Balian and teacher
•Enjoy a vitamin lunch at Wayan’s tiny restaurant – you can also book a body reading and healing
•Stay in an incredible hotel in the heart of Ubud, right down the street from where Liz stayed (but nicer)
•Enjoy Balinese Hindu temples as the Balinese do – learn how the locals pray
Meditate or practice yoga each morning, or sleep in!
•Meet Yude Andiko, the musician Liz toured Bali with, and listen to him play his own “Yudele”
•Delight in dinner in “Italy”
•Shop for Balinese batik, wood carvings, art, and silver jewelry – all made by local artisans
•Relax with a Balinese massage
•Many meals and all activities are included

Price includes accommodations, most meals, meditations, and all specified itinerary activities (see itinerary).

* DISCLAIMER

This tour is not affiliated with or endorsed by Penguin Books or Sony Pictures.  Elizabeth Gilbert will not be leading this trip.  Julia Roberts has probably never even heard of Spirit Quest Tours. Javier Bardem will not marry you. Richard from Texas (RIP) will not give you advice.  James Franco will definitely not make out with you.  Still, you should come on this trip.

To read the original of this quote, click here.

The number to call in case you are interested is 877-406-5206. Many of the meals and accommodations are included in the total price of $3995 for the Pool Villa or $2995 for the Delux trip. Deposit is $300. Air fare is not included. I liked reading some of the testimonials such as the one: "I have been forever changed by Bali. — Kiya, San Francisco". Bali is a special place in this world, amazingly small but just amazing. Why don't you find out for yourself?

Retreat to a Franciscan Monastery

Fr. David Gaa

I try to feature retreats that are reasonable in price and a bit unusual, off the tourist path, so to speak. Here is one that fits this description, at Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in California. People have been retreating to monasteries and hermitages since they were formed in the Middle Ages. This is actually an old idea brought to modern-day standards. Here is part of the description from the website: http://www.sanluisrey.org/Retreats.

The Franciscan Retreat Center at Old Mission San Luis Rey offers a place for solitude, healing, and revitalization with a wide variety of spiritual and educational programs. Create your private day away (Quiet Days), join us for a half day or evening session (Twilight Retreats) or treat yourself, or a loved one, to a complete weekend of spirituality and sacred space. The Friars and staff are here to assist you on your spiritual journey.
The facilities are available to religious and educational groups, non-profit organizations, civic organizations, companies and corporations. We do, however, reserve the right to refuse the use of our facilities to anyone whose philosophies diametrically oppose our mission and purpose.
To read the original click here.

The Mission offers silent retreats and short retreats with guidance by the monks if requested. They are also set up for large groups up to several hundred people with affordable lodging and a camp ground for tents.
If you are the type of person who likes scheduled retreats, some of the workshops for the near future include: Couples Retreat (2/8-2/10), Twilight Retreat with Fr. David Gaa (2/15), Quiet Monday (2/25), Spring into Serenity Retreat for Women in Al-Anon (3/15-3/17), Family Vacation Retreat (7/8-7/12) and Senior Vacation Retreat (8/5-8/9).
Sound interesting? Contact them easily by phone or online. And let me know how it was!

A Guided Meditation to Meet Your Spirit Guide

Here is a short guided meditation from BDevine posted January 9, 2013. This woman judging from her accent is either from Australia or New Zealand and has a very soothing voice which is good for a guided narrative or even a hypnosis session. For those of you new to guided meditation, the speaker suggests that you will experience certain things and the rest is what occurs to you to see, hear or otherwise experience. Take a few minutes and relax while listening to it. If you would like to know more about guided meditations and they seem useful to you, I recommend this book: Guided Meditations, Explorations and Healings by Stephen Levine

Looking for Something Spiritual on New Years Eve?

I don't know about you but I get very tired of the usual New Years celebrations involving long hours spent drinking and over-eating, culminating in an often rowdy and certainly noisy change to the new year at midnight. Here's a nice alternative - a group called SpiritKeepers who enjoy their Dances of Universal Peace to ring in the New Year.

The New Year's celebration will include Dances of Universal Peace, which uses simple dance moves combined with chants and songs. Most dances are circular, with members rotating around each other while holding hands or looking into each other's eyes.
Dances of Universal Peace is a spiritual practice melding several world traditions as a way to connect both with the body and soul, according to an introductory book for participants.
"Dancing is part of the richness of what we do," Timothy Dobson, one of the New Year's event organizers, said in a May interview.
To view the original article, click here.

Megan Quinn writing for Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado, also describes some of the other workshops held at the centers StarHouse and SpiritistCenter, both in Boulder. Even if you don't live near Boulder it's worth checking out these two good centers as examples of what could happen in other communities to improve mind, body and spirit.

Studies Show Prayer and Exercise Best for Healing

According to Pat Thomas writing for NYR Natural News there are a number of research programs that have concluded that the fastest path to recovery, whether mental or physical is a combination of prayer and moderate exercise. The studies didn't limit the type to prayers or mantras - everything from "Hail, Mary full of grace" to "Shalom" to "Om". Pat points out that spiritual healing goes beyond religion but uses the methods of religion. There is also a paragraph sharing the results of experiments on plants that showed growth increased for ones that were healed or prayed over. I suspect it is the transfer of energy and the intention that works this "magic".

Most of the available evidence shows that prayer is most effective as a complementary rather than a primary therapy. Nevertheless there is reasonable proof that prayer has a healing effect. One analysis of 23 studies involving more than 3000 individuals concluded that more than half demonstrated that that prayer had significant effects. In this review therapeutic touch appeared to show the most promise.
Naysayers point out that no study has ever proven the ability of prayer to stop a person from dying from conditions such as heart disease and cancer. They note, and fairly, that the quality of the studies done into spiritual healing can be very uneven and often do not follow people for long enough to make sweeping statements about its effectiveness. This however appears to be missing the point.
Scientific research by its very nature requires a measurable endpoint – usually focusing on quantity rather than quality of life. Even Dossey has warned that holistic practitioners should not overextend the power of spirituality; we will all die eventually.
Short-term studies do show that prayer can have an effect on longevity (see below) but perhaps more importantly prayer may be a beneficial way to improve the quality of life for those in need. Even researchers who are sceptical have been moved to say that the occasionally remarkable results of studies into spiritual healing are interesting enough to warrant further, and more serious, investigation.
To read the source of this passage click here.

Have you had experience using the power of prayer or healing to improve the condition of another? Please share your story below. Here is a great book for you to read more about this: Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine by Larry Dossey.