Spiritual retreats: how to join them for free

The search for self-knowledge and personal development, plus the need to clear mind and body of the stress experienced in the big cities, makes more and more people interested in participating in spiritual retreats.

There are those who come to this point after their body sends them an alarm signal, while for others it goes through the curiosity of experiencing something new in their lives. Be these cases, or any other, the common point is to move away for a while from the noise of daily life to devote to introspection in a calm environment.

This should not necessarily be done in a center dedicated to this practice, since going to a place that meets the conditions of tranquility and committing not to be distracted by the use of technology or other entertainment is also a spiritual retreat.

But if you are reading this article, we assume that you are interested in exploring options where you can receive teachings from specialized guides and participate in various practices aimed at your goal, and we will talk about this next.

Suggested reading:

• The real importance of work-life balance.
• How to recover from burnout: a healing guide.

What is the goal of spiritual retreats?

Before deciding to participate in a spiritual retreat, you need to be clear about your expectations and why you want to do it to avoid disappointment. If what you are looking for is simply to take a break from work or the city for a while, perhaps what you need is a vacation and not a spiritual retreat.

 On the other hand, if the central focus is on inner exploration through meditation and contemplation, then this might be for you.

Spiritual retreats are generally associated with religious practices, as it is a central habit in both Christianity and Buddhism, among others. However, anyone can do it, and in fact, in many cases, Buddhist monks accompany the process, sharing their experience of a life dedicated to it.

Unlike spiritual retreats practiced by Christianity, for example, where the goal is to approach God through prayer, in the personal realm, the aim is to approach oneself.

Not all spiritual retreats are the same, but some common characteristics include:

• Meditation
• Contact with nature
• Talks with spiritual guides
• Spend time in solitude

Generally, silence is respected and encouraged and full awareness prevail when performing tasks (also known as "mindfulness"). The use of technology is usually limited or, in some cases, prohibited, as it is considered an obstacle to spiritual development.

The practice of physical-spiritual disciplines such as yoga can also be part of a spiritual retreat.

Spiritual retreats do not have a set duration and can last from a couple of days to months, or as long as each individual considers necessary.

Where can you do a spiritual retreat for free?

The rise of spiritual retreats led to the commercialization of the experience. This resulted in many places offering "boutique" spiritual retreats targeted at a willing-to-pay audience.

But this is not the only option, as there are many free alternatives you can participate in, either through voluntary donations or by helping as a volunteer.

Vipassana: Buddhist meditation retreats

Have you heard of Vipassana? It is a Buddhist community with over 230 centers scattered around the world, where free meditation retreats are practiced and open to everyone who want to join, accompanied by the tutelage of Buddhist monks.

Before committing, it is very important that you take into account the "house rules", which can be quite strict for those who are not prepared.

For example, during the ten days that last the retreat, it is mandatory to attend multiple daily meditation sessions, which can last up to two hours each. This can be very challenging to cope with, both physically and mentally, for those who are not used to it.

The use of mobile phones, listening to music, reading, writing, engaging in physical exercise, or any activity that distracts you from the meditative path, is prohibited. Interaction with other retreat participants is also not allowed, with the only verbal expression permitted being individual talks with the teachers.

Naturally, all types of "intoxicants" are also prohibited (drinking alcohol, smoking, etc.) The diet is 100% vegan (provided by the center), and eating is not allowed after noon.

I have met many people who participated in Vipassana retreats in different countries; for some, it was a challenging process but one from which they gained a transformative life experience, and after their first retreat, participated in several more. Others endured it from start to finish.

In countries like Thailand, many tourists join these spiritual retreats without knowing exactly where they are going, simply because it sounds cool to say they "meditated with Buddhist monks" on their trip through Asia, and that's where frustrations arise.

If you want to participate in a Vipassana retreat, you have to register on the site dhamma.org, where you will find all the necessary information.

Volunteer at a spiritual retreat center

If the option of doing a Vipassana retreat seems too intensive for you to start, or it's not what you're looking for, you can also participate as a volunteer at more flexible centers where spiritual retreats are practiced.

On the Worldpackers work exchange platform, there are many volunteer opportunities at spiritual retreats centers in different countries. By helping in different tasks needed -from cleaning to welcoming guests-, you'll get free accommodation and -in most cases- meals, as well as access to the classes and workshops offered at the center.

In addition to experiencing from within the functioning of spiritual retreats and being part of them, volunteering is an excellent way to travel on a budget, as major expenses will be covered. It also allows you to meet many interesting and like-minded people, develop new skills, and travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Below, you will find a selection of some of the spiritual retreats that accept volunteers in different parts of the world to give you an idea of the available positions, but there are many more on the platform. 

To explore more available options, you can search on the Worldpackers website using filters such as "Spiritual," "Yoga" or "Meditation" as there are many other types of hosts on the platform that might also interest you.

You can learn more about how Worldpackers work by reading these articles:

• What is a work exchange and how does it work?
• Traveling with Worldpackers: your top questions answered.
• How to plan a trip with Worldpackers in 15 easy steps.

Gardening at a holistic center in Mexico

In Cuncunul, Mexico, the Ashram Rama welcomes those who want to participate in building a new space dedicated to the teachings of Hinduism and yoga.

Reviews from other volunteers, like this one from a British volunteer, speak tons about the people running the space and the general ambience:

"The Ashram is a very tranquil place to reconnect with yourself and nature. The work was simple, although at times quite hard working in the heat, and the working hours were as advertised. Nico, Ekajati and Carlos were all friendly and welcoming and it was lovely spending time with the kittens and Kala, the dog :) the yoga classes were great and I had lots of time to myself after finishing the work in the morning."

Buddhist Meditation/Eco Center in Arizona, US

Yoga classes, holistic therapies, guided meditations, and more spiritual practices are all included free of charge to volunteers who collaborate at the Diamond Mountain Buddhist Retreat Center in Arizona, southern USA. As it is located in a vast natural space, tasks include trail maintenance, gardening, assistance on the farm, and cleaning.

This is what volunteer Julia shares about her experience:

"This was a great opportunity to connect with nature, learn new skills, and make new friends :) the Center is a truly beautiful place filled with kind-hearted people. The desert invites you to be deeply present and to appreciate life in all its shapes and forms. Seeing the Milky Way from my bedroom window each night was an experience I won't soon forget."

Help develop a spiritual retreat center in Canada

Hébergement les Pieds sur Terre is a small interspiritual ashram/retreat center located in Quebec offering free stay in exchange of a few hours of work per day. They follow a simple schedule with daily meditation, devotional singing, circle sharing, interfaith practices and workshops/spiritual teachings based on the needs of people on site.

Daniela, volunteer from Colombia, has reviewed the ashram with these words:

"Can't say enough about this place and its people. Everything was beyond expectations. It's the prefect place to be quiet, encounter yourself and you will get a lot of support from the community. Kedar and Rajesh are lovely people, who would make you feel at home. Everyone was very like-minded and intentional with everything they do and share."

Experience life in a Buddhist community in Brazil

Become part of the meditation center of the Kadampa Buddhist community, located in a natural setting on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Volunteers take care of organizational tasks, space cleaning, and assistance in the kitchen.

All meals are included, as well as joining all the classes given at the center. It's an excellent opportunity to get closer to Buddhism through contact with teachers.

With more than hundred 5 stars reviews, this is one of the Top hosts on Worldpackers. What Ana said is an example of what volunteers experience here:

"This experience was amazing, I got to connect introspectively with peace and learnt to meditate. The nature here is breathtaking! Everyone was so welcoming. The tasks are normal, on weekends we had visitors and during the week it was only us volunteers residents and monks. Definitely recommend this to work with peace and service."

Contribute to a meditation center in Thailand

Would you like to spend some time living in a meditation center in Thailand? By assisting with daily tasks at the Insight Meditation Center (Dhutanga PunyaPanya), you can have this unique cultural immersion.

This is what Lea, volunteer from France, shares about her days at the center:

"I’ve spend 10 amazing days at the Insight Center, the monks, Beam and all the people there were so nice, caring and happy to teach you things about meditation, buddhism, vipassana… The work can be a bit physical because of the heat but it is fine ! The food is good, you can try a lot of new things and the dogs make everything even more great. It was my 1st volunteering and I would a 100% recommend it !!"

Are you ready to live a transformative experience in a spiritual retreat? Subscribe to the Worldpackers Community for free and start saving your favorite volunteer positions until you are ready to get verified.