Preparation
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To prepare for your first meditation retreat, pick a short guided program, pack warm layers, and arrive expecting a restless mind, because that is normal.
This checklist from First Retreat Guide, published by Andrew Keaveney, walks through the weeks before, the first day and the weeks after. It draws on Andrew's 17 years of teaching breathwork and meditation and his own short films on the beginner experience.
Expect a daily schedule of guided sessions, shared meals and quiet time, and expect your mind to wander a lot at first. Andrew made a short film about exactly that, Your Mind When You Try to Meditate: Honest Confessions. By the second or third day, most people find the rhythm easier to follow.
Three or four days, with a teacher. Andrew's next are November 5 to 8 and 11 to 13.
Confirm schedule, lodging, meals and price on the retreat center site.
Especially before breathwork if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.
Set an out-of-office message and plan to keep your phone off.
Settle into your room before the first session begins.
Many centers provide cushions or chairs. Check what the Art of Living Retreat Center supplies before you go.
Short daily practice is how most people continue. The Mindful Leader 2026 Meditation Practice Report found most practitioners (61.6%) meditate daily, with 10 to 20 minutes the most common session length (36.2%).
Andrew has published free guided practices, including a 10 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation by the Lake and a 15 Minute Meditation to Help You Find Inner Peace. Source: Mindful Leader report. Return to the meditation retreat for beginners guide.
Short answers here. The full meditation retreat FAQ has all 47 answers in one place.
Most retreats follow a daily schedule of guided practice sessions, meals, rest and quiet time. At Andrew's breathwork and meditation retreats, sessions combine breathing techniques with meditation, because he teaches the two together. For the exact schedule of any program, read its listing on the Art of Living Retreat Center website.
See this answer in the FAQPack comfortable, loose clothing in layers, a warm sweater or jacket, a water bottle, any medications you take, and a notebook. Mountain towns like Boone, North Carolina, can be cool in the mornings and evenings in autumn. Check the retreat center's guidance for what it provides, such as cushions or bedding.
See this answer in the FAQThat is normal, and it is one of the most common experiences for new meditators. Andrew has made short films about it, including Your Mind When You Try to Meditate: Honest Confessions and How to Tackle Unwanted Thoughts and Improve Your Focus. Breathing techniques taught before meditation can help a restless mind settle.
See this answer in the FAQUsually not. Many retreat centers provide cushions, chairs or mats, and sitting in a chair is perfectly fine if the floor is uncomfortable. Confirm what is provided on the Art of Living Retreat Center website, and bring a small cushion or shawl if you prefer your own.
See this answer in the FAQYes. Many people attend retreats on their own, and a shared daily schedule with group sessions makes it easy to settle in without knowing anyone. If you have questions about rooming options for solo guests, check the lodging information on the Art of Living Retreat Center's program pages.
See this answer in the FAQShort, steady daily practice is the most common pattern. The Mindful Leader 2026 Meditation Practice Report found most practitioners (61.6%) meditate daily, with 10 to 20 minutes the most common session length (36.2%). Andrew has published free guided meditations, including a 10 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation by the Lake.
See this answer in the FAQSee Andrew Keaveney's upcoming residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, or send him a question about which one fits you.
Published by Andrew Keaveney
