Short retreats
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A weekend meditation retreat is a two to four day program that fits guided practice, rest and meals into a short stay away from home.
Andrew Keaveney's two upcoming programs are both short: the Happiness Retreat runs three days, November 11 to 13, and the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat runs four, November 5 to 8, at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
For most beginners, yes. A few days is enough to learn core techniques, feel what steady practice is like, and leave with a routine to continue at home. It is not the same as a long silent course, and people who already meditate daily may want more time. In the Khoury meta-analysis, mindfulness levels strongly moderated clinical effect sizes, predicting 50% of improvements in outcomes, so a weekend that builds the skill is a sound start.
Most short retreats follow a similar rhythm, though each center sets its own timetable. For Andrew's programs, check the exact schedule on the Art of Living Retreat Center listing.
Check in, meet the group and hear how the days will run.
Guided breathwork followed by meditation while the mind is fresh.
Meals and free time, often outdoors.
A gentler practice to close the day.
| Criterion | Weekend retreat | Week or longer |
|---|---|---|
| Time off needed | 2 to 4 days | 7 days or more |
| Best for | First-timers, busy schedules | Regular meditators |
| Depth | Learn and try core techniques | Extended, uninterrupted practice |
A weekend silent meditation retreat offers a taste of stillness, while a guided breathwork and meditation weekend gives you active techniques and continuous instruction. Andrew made a lighthearted short film about the silent version, A Not So Silent Retreat.
Looking for a weekend meditation retreat near me in the Southeast? Boone, North Carolina, is a drive for much of the region. Return to the meditation retreat for beginners guide or read how to prepare for your first retreat.
Short answers here. The full meditation retreat FAQ has all 47 answers in one place.
A weekend meditation retreat is a short program, usually two to four days, that fits guided meditation into a weekend away. It suits people who cannot take a full week off. Andrew's Breathwork and Meditation Retreat, November 5 to 8, is a four-day residential program at the Art of Living Retreat Center.
See this answer in the FAQA weekend is enough to learn core techniques and experience a few days of steady practice, though it is not the same as a long retreat. In the Khoury meta-analysis of traditional retreats, mindfulness levels strongly moderated clinical effect sizes, predicting 50% of improvements in outcomes. Short retreats are a practical place to begin building that skill.
See this answer in the FAQA weekend silent meditation retreat combines a short program with a period of not speaking, giving a taste of silence without a long commitment. Andrew made a lighthearted film about the experience called A Not So Silent Retreat. Before booking any program, check its listing to see whether silence is part of the schedule.
See this answer in the FAQChoose a weekend if you are new, short on time, or want to test the experience. Choose a longer retreat if you already meditate regularly and want deeper, uninterrupted practice. The comparison table on this site's retreat formats page lays out length, structure and who each format suits, judged on the same criteria.
See this answer in the FAQAs listed on andrewkeaveney.com, the upcoming programs are the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat from November 5 to 8 and the Happiness Retreat from November 11 to 13. Both are residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. The center's website lists all current programs.
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 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.
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