So you want to simplify your life and down size your expenses, why not start with a simple inexpensive vacation to one America's secluded, inexpensive monastery retreat centers? Sounds interesting and you can take the family, or go alone………your choice.
It has been said, “a monastery is a sacred space for sacred time….and people are attracted to seek retreats when they need renewal and quiet time to reflect.”
Many monasteries do accommodate men, women, children and single people. They usually provide delicious, simple and inexpensive meals form food grown on the grounds. The lodging costs vary from freewill donations to $21.50 a night to $95.00 a night, which include all meals. There are special rates for weekend stays and for educational seminar week-long retreats.
Pecos Benedictine Monastery
This Benedictine Monastery is located in the Pecos River valley, north of Santa Fe near the town of Pecos. The monastery is situated on 900 acres which are surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; hiking trails; animal havens; clean air; lots of sunshine. They offer personal “hermitages” for a few days or longer, plus educational and inspirational retreat programs though out the year. The individual “hermitage rooms” are located in one building and are self contained spaces with a sitting area and desk, along with kitchenette, bed, bathroom and a large panoramic window that looks over the canyon. The suggested donation is $75 per night.
The Abbey of Gethsemani
This is a Trappist monastery located in Kentucky near Bardstown, in Trappist. The monastery is famous for once being the “home” of Thomas Merton, who is considered one of the spiritual writers and leaders of the 20th century. This a place of hospitality for people who are seeking “a place apart” from the regular, busy, noisy clatter and chatter “to entertain silence in the heart and listen for the voice of God…….to pray for your own discovery” (Thomas Merton). Founded in 1848, this has always been a place full of visitors from around the world. Reservations are required and accommodations are simple, but spacious. There are single rooms and double bed rooms each with their own bathroom. The guest wing is handicap accessible; air-conditioned; non-smoking; elevator ready to all four floor; communal dining and has an on-site library that is open to all. Meatless meals are served daily and religious services are open to all visitors. This is a popular get-a-way retreat and reservations are taken up to 4 months before the date your wish to visit. The cost is a free-will donation based upon what you can afford. Men and women are both welcome here.
Zen Mountain Monastery
You will find this sanctuary on 200 secluded and rustic acres in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The monastery is surrounded by the New York State Forest Preserve, which provide miles of hiking trails and beautiful untouched nature settings. The main building, a 4 level earthy stone abode was built in the early 20th century, houses the meditation center, dining hall, library, classrooms and dormitory style guest quarters with communal bathrooms. Educational Retreats are held from May through October, along with month long residency programs and I year residency programs. All meals are vegetarian and included in the cost of a retreat session. You must contact them for actual set costs for various retreat programs. The 1 month retreat residency program cost around $650 for the month.
Holy Trinity Monastery
This Benedictine monastery was once the Wilderness Ranch for Boys back in the 1960's. It is located approximately 14 miles north of Tombstone and 17 miles from Cochise in the heart of what once was the Apache Native American stronghold. This is a “semi-contemplative monastery” that offers guest facilities for individual or group retreats, which are expected to respect the monastic exercise of “silence, solitude, simple living, prayer and communal meals.” Holy Trinity Monastery is known for its “Taize'” for peace on Fridays and its involvement with Cultural Arts, The San Pedro Valley Center for the Arts is located at the monastery. The guest quarters offer 11 rooms that can accommodate single people or couples. There is a reading room, prayer place, communal lounge area, gazebos and other spaces for educational sessions. This monastery also offers RV spaces for rent. Individuals pay $40 per night and double occupancy is $60 per night with all meals being extra. The RV park rental is $15 per night.
New Camaldoli Hermitage
Located 1,300 feet above sea level in a very secluded area of the Santa Lucia Mountains, near the infamous Big Sur , this monastery offers breathe taking views of the California coastline and Pacific ocean. Founded in 1958, by 3 Benedictine monks from Camaldoli, Italy, the monks live here “as a community of hermits” and have private cells in a private enclosed enclave. They are well known for their brandy dipped fruitcakes and date-nut cakes which are shipped world-wide. They follow the words of their founder St. Romuald” “Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish”. You can either take a solo retreat or group retreat to this remote monastery all year long. The retreat center has 9 private rooms with baths and private gardens that over-look the ocean. Also offered is a communal kitchen where vegetarian meals and homemade bread may be picked up. The monastery offers 5 trailer retreats located on the hillside below the main center, which are very private and include: full bath, refrigerator, small cook top, food items and sun decks. You need to reserve your rooms at least 6 months in advance and trailers 1 year in advance, as this is an extremely popular monastery for retreats. The suggested private cell retreat is $70 donation per night and the trailer donation is $80 per night.
If, you are looking for the unusual vacation or need an inspirational get-a-way here are 5 places you may want to look into and there are 100's more available across America.
