Religious Retreats to Recharge the Spirit this Summer (PHOTOS)

HuffPost Religion contributors and editors selected some of our favorite religious retreat destinations just in time for summer vacation. From denominational oases to interfaith explorations, from Meccas of meditation to bastions of environmental sustainability, all of these escapes from "the real world" are sure to be soul-expanding and give us strength for the journey.

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Chautauqua (Ecumenical)

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"A utopian oasis of intellectual, spiritual and cultural thought." --Paul Brandeis Raushenbush
From the website:
Chautauqua provides a wide variety of services of worship and programs that express the Institution's Christian heritage as well as its interfaith commitment. Chaplains-in-residence, representing a diversity in gender, race and theological perspective, deliver sermons during morning worship services and participate in special programming throughout the community. The afternoon Interfaith Lecture Series focuses on issues that impact the lived experience of everyday life from theological, ethical, moral, humanitarian, philosophical and religious perspectives. Chautauqua's Abrahamic program is designed to build bridges among Jews, Christians and Muslims through both in-season and off-season programming. The Abrahamic Program for Young Adults (APYA) builds off this commitment with weekly discussions and activities for high school and college students. A vibrant sacred Christian music program, with Sacred Song services Sunday evenings and performances at worship services by the Chautauqua Choir, draws together all denominations and faiths.
View the Chautauqua's 2011 calendar of events.

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"A utopian oasis of intellectual, spiritual and cultural thought."
--Paul Brandeis Raushenbush

From the website:

Chautauqua provides a wide variety of services of worship and programs that express the Institution's Christian heritage as well as its interfaith commitment. Chaplains-in-residence, representing a diversity in gender, race and theological perspective, deliver sermons during morning worship services and participate in special programming throughout the community. The afternoon Interfaith Lecture Series focuses on issues that impact the lived experience of everyday life from theological, ethical, moral, humanitarian, philosophical and religious perspectives. Chautauqua's Abrahamic program is designed to build bridges among Jews, Christians and Muslims through both in-season and off-season programming. The Abrahamic Program for Young Adults (APYA) builds off this commitment with weekly discussions and activities for high school and college students. A vibrant sacred Christian music program, with Sacred Song services Sunday evenings and performances at worship services by the Chautauqua Choir, draws together all denominations and faiths.

View the Chautauqua's 2011 calendar of events.

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Comments

[Brian Stoltz]

03:39 AM on 06/20/2011

It is unfortunate that they did not include "The Himalayan Institute" in Honesdale, PA ~ Founded by H.H. Swami Rama of the Himalayas and carried on by His successor, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.

[Michael Watts]

12:41 PM on 06/13/2011

You need to add the annual Interfaith Institute at Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, North Carolina, sponsored by the Greater Carolinas Association of Rabbis and underwritten by the Blumenthal Foundation. Check them out on the Wildacres schedule at www.wildacres.org, and see invitation at my blog, wattslines.blogspot.com. Rev. Michael J. Watts, Registrar

[BlackYowe]

11:42 PM on 06/09/2011

Lillydale in Cassadaga, NY is far better than Chautauqua. Chautauqua is now yuppieville. It has strayed far from its roots. Another awesome place to find spiritual retreat is Brushwood near Sherman, NY.

[Mountaingrl]

02:48 PM on 06/09/2011

Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado puts on an excellent meditation retreat. I've been for Winter retreat, not summer and I hear it's quite pleasant in the summer.

[booshh]

12:21 PM on 07/08/2011

I want to go to there.

[Tyyne Andrews]

02:35 PM on 06/09/2011

Another retreat to explore is the annual "Encampment" at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado led by Marshall Vian Summers and the Society for the Great Community Way of Knowledge. It is unlike any other retreat I'm aware of or have experienced before. I found it *very* profound and life changing.

A prerequisite of specific spiritual study is required before attending. It explains all this on the website. It challenges much of our assumptions regarding God and our place in the universe.

For me, I found my spiritual home and I had been looking for some time. It is a true mystical and inner "fire walk" for the serious seeker.

[BlackYowe]

12:27 PM on 06/08/2011

What a joke. I live 3 miles from Chautauqua it is no longer a religious retreat. It is a party spot. The president of Chautauqua is alcoholic who was brawling drunk last New Years Eve at the vigil by the bell tower.. Chautauqua is trying hard to leave its spiritual roots behind and now embraces materialism more than any place I have ever spent time. The gate fees make it impossible for anyone of modest means to go there anymore. I loved it growing up but its changed.

[dt63944]

11:48 PM on 06/15/2011

I spent 80% of my entire life just a few miles from the Institute, as well, and I agree pretty much with everything you wrote. That's troubling about the current president, Thomas Becker; there are eyewitness accounts that the previous president got into a brawl at Webb's in the off-season and was asked to "retire". I've stopped going to the weekday lectures because anyone daring to be non-liberal is treated like garbage by the "smarter than thou" crowd. Sundays are now pretty much a thing of the past, since the sermons changed from lessons in living a better life through faith, to what a bad person I am and how great President Obama is. Try making a comment on their website that doesn't follow the politics of this obscenely-expensive place; you'll never see it.

[mheister]

11:01 AM on 06/08/2011

I've never had the bounty of visiting Green Acre, but I do like Bosch Baha'i School in the Santa Cruz mountains. The air's wonderful, the cabins cozy, and there's great hiking. They also keep a pretty good bookstore.

[Wendy1844]

01:09 AM on 06/10/2011

I've been a Bahá'í for over 47 years and I still haven't managed to get to Green Acre. One of these days....Maybe we could go for the 100th anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit there next year. That would be pretty special. Living in California, I've been to Bosch many times though not in a few years. It's time to go back. Maybe I'll meet you in person, Michael, the next time we go! :)

[KOisGod]

12:59 PM on 06/07/2011

Here is a site that offers an incredible retreat experience. They teach yoga, meditation and offer a fantastic vegetarian cuisine. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, east of Sacramento, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from San Francisco.

Check it out.

http://www.expandinglight.org/

[hollace]

03:28 AM on 06/07/2011

I don't really think we need an article on Christians needing to be recharged. They neeed to go to Manners school and learn how to fit in to society with a bit more Grace and Dignity. Get busy and do something for others for a change instead of the shamefull behavior they display.

[Indigo1941]

07:36 AM on 06/07/2011

You've been reading my mind! Fanned!

[Plankeyes]

08:02 PM on 06/08/2011

Then read the article.

[westral]

01:38 AM on 06/07/2011

What about something a little better for your spritual health which is advocated by nearly all religions, like working amongst the poor and needy instead of living in the lap of luxury and thinking you are stimulating your spirit.

[Plankeyes]

08:04 PM on 06/08/2011

Amen.

http://activistfaith.org/

[libwingoflibwing]

12:33 AM on 06/07/2011

Well, this article inspired me. I just booked myself into a spiritual retreat at the Holden Village (www.holdenvillage.org) on Lake Chelan for a week in August. One of my favorite "Leftist Christian Non-Violent Revolutionary" authors, Wes Howard Brook, will be the Bible study leader. I need this kind of get away to stimulate my spirit and mind in a setting that will revive my soul and nurture my body. I'm excited.

[JohnyTL]

09:04 PM on 06/06/2011

I visit a moon well when my mana is low.

[miggiepdx]

09:52 PM on 06/11/2011

Fanned and faved

[LesCap]

08:42 PM on 06/06/2011

All those property and business taxes going into the general fund, I'm sure.

The business of religion........we should all start finding.....then losing....some golden plates.

[CeliaTag]

06:00 PM on 06/06/2011

I had the honor of visiting Green Acre Baha'i School in Maine. It offered me some serenity and provided time for me to reflect. These religious retreats definitely provide some inner peace and spirituality. Nature is food for our souls.

[Wendy1844]

01:14 AM on 06/10/2011

Lucky you! I wish I could get up there, but it's pretty far from California. I'm hoping next year they'll have 100th anniversary events. Perhaps we might make a special trip. I've always wanted to see it. So much history of the Bahá'í Faith in this country happened there.

[Stu Pidasseaux]

05:40 PM on 06/06/2011

Missed the best one, I head out there 3-4 times a year.
www.starisland.org

[brooklyncitizen]

10:32 PM on 06/06/2011

can you say more about it? it looks fabulous.