10 Places To Have A Meditation Retreat ALONE

This article is from our print magazine issued July 1st 2022. To order a copy of the magazine please do so here.

A meditation retreat brings to mind a picture of inner peace and calmness. One often envisions meditating in blissful exotic locales, by the banks of a serenely flowing river or atop a tranquil mountainside overlooking the sea.

These beautiful experiences are not always feasible, especially today when the world has been brought to its knees by the pandemic, restricting many of us to self-imposed home confinements. When on your own, thoughts may be stressful and overwhelming. Mediation helps make sense of them and lets you find strength and comfort from within yourself.

Meditation is fundamentally a way to find balance and increase concentration, and the lack of picturesque surroundings should be no reason to hold yourself back. Read on to discover some wonderful spots to experience the rejuvenating and relaxing benefits of solo meditation practice.

#1 A nearby park - A neighborhood park can be a convenient spot to start your meditation routine. Pick a time of the day when the crowd is sparse and the weather pleasant, find a comfortable area, and ease into a meditation routine.

#2 Places of worship - The energy and positive vibrations within these sacred places can serve as the perfect ambiance for some peaceful self-meditation. Many are accepting of non-believers and provide perfect havens to reflect and contemplate.

#3 The beach - If you're lucky enough to live near the coast, the beach would be a splendid choice for you. The warmth of the sun and the sound of crashing waves are known to relax the senses and contribute to an enriching meditation process.

#4 Close to water - With no beach around, the next best thing would be to find a water body - like a stream or lake or even a small pond. The gentle flow of water or even trickling sounds calms the active mind, relaxes the brain and lets you connect deeply with your thoughts.

#5 While driving - Meditation while driving does not mean letting your mind wander free. It’s quite the opposite. Driving is an activity that forces you to concentrate and makes you more attentive to your surroundings. It can be a great way to boost mindfulness and increase awareness by letting you be more in the present.

#6 Go for a walk - In addition to the health benefits of movement, walking can also be a form of meditation. It is an exercise to pull yourself together from distracting thoughts and focus on each step you take- from the pace of your stride to the movement of the feet. You only need a few minutes a day and a quiet and safe space to practice walking as a form of mediation.

#7 The garden - A garden (could even be a corner of your backyard) allows you to meditate in a serene and calm environment. The natural surroundings may be enhanced with carefully chosen entities like pebbled paths, fountains, statues, and rocks to create an invigorating experience within your personal space.

#8 A zen room - Access to gardens and yards can be challenging when living in confined spaces like apartments. A zen room may be the answer. Forget the garden and convert your extra room- or perhaps a cozy, well-lit nook- to a zen space. Remove distractions, and add elements of light and nature to create a space radiating positive vibes.

#9 Apps and VR - Apps that teach you to meditate can be a great way to begin the process stress-free. Meditation apps like Headspace and Calm provide flexible programs that help you approach different aspects of life, wherever you feel you need help. Virtual reality technology in meditation is relatively new. It can, however, be beneficial in enriching the meditative experience by blocking external distractions and creating a manifold increase in attention and awareness.

#10 Anywhere while waiting - Whether in a parked car, the doctor's office, waiting in line, or on a plane, there are no limits to where you can meditate. If you can practice being alone with your thoughts, breathing, and being in the moment, there are no blocks to meditating whenever and wherever you feel like it.

Meditation is all about taking charge of yourself and finding a sense of harmony with your thoughts. Many of the modern-day problems can be mitigated with meditation and mindfulness even if you are on your own, and a lack of space should not be an impediment. As long as you can have access to some quiet minutes of solitude, and stay safe and sound, you have a place for meditation in your life. Grow, live, and change the world. Keep growing and inspiring.