The Black Isle Scotland
Learning Meditation: Go on Retreat
The best way to learn meditation is to attend a retreat. “Meditation retreats are like full-immersion courses, where we can develop — or deepen — our capacity to find stillness of mind and greater awareness,” explains Sharon Salzberg, a Buddhist teacher from the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. “These are skills that, if we keep practicing them, can affect every aspect of our lives.” There are a number of wonderful meditation centers, retreats and immersive experiences around the country if you’re looking for more than just a tourist’s vacation — but a vacation that truly stirs the soul.
Travel and Leisure Magazine recently listed their top 10 internationalretreats to learn meditation. At the top of their list was Ananda in the Himalayas, a striking 100-acre estate in Uttaranchal, India, which offers sweeping views of the the temple villages of Hardiwar and Rishikesh, the Ganges River and the Himalayan foothills. Amenities consist of a a tea lounge, antique billiards room, meditation and yoga pavilions, 21,000 square foot spa, and a maharajah’s palace.
Here, folks will get one-on-one guided meditation tailor made to their individual needs. Stretching, yoga, Buddhist meditation teachings and breathing techniques are taught in hour long sessions throughout the day. This center draws in all types of people, including many luxury travelers who have never visited a spiritual hideaway in the past.
The Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado may look a little garish for the United States at first, but this complex is fashioned after traditional Buddhist shrines. The 600-acre retreat center is situated in the Rocky Mountain Valley and contains botanical gardens, a bird sanctuary, meditation halls and shrines. While staying in one of their 65 elegant single or double rooms, you will learn meditation (various forms of Buddhist meditation, specifically) through workshops, week-long immersive programs and specialized courses for artists. You may even find yourself meditating on a hike in the woods or floating languidly in a canoe down the river. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can take a pilgrimage to Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia or Bhutan.
A third destination to learn meditation is the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. Located on a 200-acre property surrounding a grand mansion, you’ll find 79 dormitory-style single and double rooms with shared bathrooms, dining facilities, outdoor Buddhist shrines and meditation spaces. For a more intense pilgrimage, you can stay at the Forest Refuge, a long-term retreat center set several miles back into the countryside. The practice here involves Vipassana (insight) and Metta (loving kindness) meditation. You’ll sit and you’ll walk, but your meditative practices will all be done in complete silence. Eventually, through silence, you will find insight and self-awakening.
Some people choose exercise or therapy to eliminate their stress. Others use easy meditation exercises to help them see the problem or situation in a different light. Mindfulness meditation is tool used by millions to help enhance their lives and free themselves of stress.
The Black Isle
|
|
Black Faced Sheep Photo Mugs A black faced sheep, photographed on the Isle of Mull in Scotland….. |
|
|
Erratic in tidal pool on isle of Taransay, looking towards Toe Head on South Photo Mugs Erratic in tidal pool on isle of Taransay, looking towards Toe Head on South Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe…. |
|
|
Scotland, Isle Of Skye, Elgol. Looking across the rocky shoreline north of Photo Mugs Scotland, Isle Of Skye, Elgol. Looking across the rocky shoreline north of Elgol towards the peaks of the Black Cuillins….. |
|
|
Dark Island $9.60 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll $5.83 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Dark Island $12.17 The Black Watch is the most famous Scottish regiment. The unit’s tradition and history are embodied in the sounds, uniform and deportment of its pipes & drums. Take a beautiful journey with the Black Watch to Glamis Castle, Fort George, St. Andrews, Huntingtower Castle, Elgin Cathedral, Falkland Palace, Blackwater Falls, Blair Castle, Glen Moray Distillery, Culross, Dunfermline Abbey, Stirling Cas… |
|
|
Cobbled Street, Cromarty, Scotland – 24W x 16H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Scotland, Isle Of Skye, Elgol. Looking across the rocky shoreline north of from Jason Friend $24.99 Photo Puzzle, Scotland, Isle Of Skye, Elgol. Looking across the rocky shoreline north of. Scotland, Isle Of Skye, Elgol. Looking across the rocky shoreline north of Elgol towards the peaks of the Black Cuillins. Chosen by Jason Friend. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Erratic in tidal pool on isle of Taransay, looking towards Toe Head on South from Robert Harding $24.99 Photo Puzzle, Erratic in tidal pool on isle of Taransay, looking towards Toe Head on South. Erratic in tidal pool on isle of Taransay, looking towards Toe Head on South Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. Chosen by Robert Harding. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle … |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Black Faced Sheep from Science Photo Library $25.00 Photo Puzzle, Black Faced Sheep. A black faced sheep, photographed on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. Chosen by Science Photo Library. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab…. |