Divine Interlude
A Guide to Arizona's Spiritual Retreats
By Tiffany Owens

How many times have you gone on a much-needed vacation, only to return home even more exhausted than before? If you've been thinking that you need a different sort of getaway this year, one that not only changes your venue, but potentially your perspective as well, the seclusion and serenity of a spiritual retreat can provide a refreshing — and healing — vacation alternative.
There are currently more than 2,000 monasteries, abbeys and other retreat centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Although most are linked to a religious order, retreatants need not be of that particular faith — or even particularly religious — to participate. The two most popular types of retreats are:

• Personal: Time on your own with voluntary participation in the daily rituals of prayer services, work life or the full monastic schedule, usually with access to a spiritual guide, healer, minister or mentor; and
• Thematic: Group sessions that often include speakers, workshops and discussion centered around a theme or activity, such as creative writing, mindful eating or meditation.

Although a few — especially international — monasteries only allow men or married couples, most American and Canadian retreat centers are open to every gender, marital status, nationality and religious belief not exclusive to their own.

What to expect
Retreat accommodations range from dormitory-like quarters to spartan singles with shared bathrooms, from around $25 to $100 per night (or more for a specific retreat and materials), usually presented in the form of a donation. In addition, retreatants will often be asked to make up their own beds — or change the linens for the next arriving guest.
Most retreat centers offer self-serve coffee and tea service. Three meals a day are standard, most likely to be healthy, vegetarian fare prepared with produce grown on-site. However, some may only offer food service during select retreats. It is always wise to discuss meal specifics before you go, especially if you have special food requests or allergies.
There are no TVs, radios, cell phones or other electronic devices. Most centers have an office phone that can be given as an emergency contact number.

Expect to have a calming, uplifting experience, but don’t expect miracles — especially on your first retreat. “The most important item people can bring with them is an open mind,” notes Hogen Bays. “Many people arrive expecting the environment to deliver the experience for them; sure, the retreat can be the catalyst, but real change and true enlightenment can only come from within.”

Zen & the Art of Mind Maintenance
In previous years, I’ve spent contemplative afternoons at the Krotona School of Theosophy’s bookstore and gardens in Ojai, walking the labyrinth at Scottsdale’s Franciscan Renewal Center (“The Casa”), and hiking to Sedona’s mysterious vortexes. In addition, after a whirlwind train trip around Italy, the last days of my honeymoon were spent serenely at a 14th-century monastery, the Nostra Signora di Soviore in Cinque Terre’s Monterosso al Mare.

But for my first personal retreat, I chose the Great Vow Zen Monastery, located in Oregon’s lush Columbia River Basin with stunning views of Mount St. Helens en route. Led by ordained Zen teachers Hogen Bays and Jan Chozen Bays Roshi, the former elementary-school-turned-monastery adheres to a 2,500-year-old traditional Buddhist schedule, which I quickly folded into.

The day began at 3:50 a.m. with the clanging of a handheld school bell; the monks and I assembled shortly thereafter in the zendo (meditation room) for a pre-dawn Zazen meditation session. The remainder of the day was a succession of formal (predominantly silent) meals, liturgy, temple cleaning, rest periods, work practice/workshop activities and an evening Zazen, followed by “lights out” at 10 p.m.

I predicted the grounds to be beautiful and the schedule challenging — and I was right on both counts. However, I didn’t anticipate that the resident monks would be so warm and helpful — even humorous at times — and that among their comforting presence and powerful meditative energies, I would finally be able to quiet my own overactive mind for the first time.

Arizona Retreats
Arizona is home to many types of spiritual retreats of varying faiths, locations and participation levels. The information below is a quick guide to six notable retreats across the state, one of which is likely within driving distance of your own home.

Franciscan Renewal Center/“The Casa,” Scottsdale
www.thecasa.org 480-948-7460 or 800-356-3247

An urban, spiritual oasis that offers counseling, various support groups, workshops, retreats for spiritual growth and personal development, plus various Franciscan Way programs, including daily and Sunday Mass, pastoral ministry, individual counseling and group support programs, outreach programs, Elderhostel, a meeting center and educational campus for retreats, classes and workshops.

Two types of retreats are offered: sponsored and private. Sponsored retreats are focused on specific topics, such as yoga and healthy living or “icon painting,” during scheduled retreat events, whereas private retreats are non-structured.

Each “comfortable” sleeping room — single or double occupancy — has its own private bath. The 25-acre campus offers a swimming pool and spa, walking paths, a healing rose garden, labyrinth and meditation chapel onsite for recreation and personal reflection.

Garchen Buddhist Institute, Chino Valley
www.garchen.net 928-925-1237.

A Buddhist Dharma center founded by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, the Institute holds periodic Tibetan Buddhist teachings by Rinpoche and other teachers in the Mahayana and Vajrayana paths, including Dzogchen teachings. All Buddhist and other spiritual traditions are honored at this lovely retreat in the panoramic foothills near Prescott.

Weekly, by-donation events include simple Buddhist meditation practice and instruction for people of all faiths and “How to Become Perfectly Happy — In Just 37 Steps,” lively and interactive teachings and discussion on the 37 Bodhisattva Practices and related topics. No prior Buddhist experience needed to participate.

Amenities at the Garchen Institute include covered balcony dining, stupa, bookstore and temple. The dorm-style Retreat House has four double-occupancy rooms with bunk beds and one single, two common bathrooms and shared kitchen; its smaller Guest House has a kitchen/dining room between two bedrooms, each with a full private bath.

Guests can also choose to bring their own sleeping bag and towels to “camp” on the floor of the climate-controlled dining room annex for $10 per day, with bathrooms and showers in the next building. Outdoor camping is also available in the adjacent Prescott National Forest, or vans and small campers are welcome to park in the Institute’s lot, each for a mere $3 per day.

 (Note: Garchen’s sister center is the Drikung Namgyal Buddhist Center of Tucson: www.drikungkagyutucson.org or 520-465-1882.)

Pocket Sanctuary at Kenyon Ranch, Tumacacori
www.pocketsanctuary.com 520-398-8073

Pocket Sanctuary, located 40 minutes south of Tucson near Tubac, is a family-run, individual and group retreat facility nestled in the secluded foothills of the Tumacacori Mountains. Originally opened in 1937, the site was a former dude ranch and remained a popular winter vacation spot for many years. Owners Charlie and Barbara Findeisen bought the property in 2003 and created Pocket Sanctuary “for those who feel they need a place of healing where they can receive care and assistance during difficult times in their lives.”

Retreatants can choose from 17 charming timber-and-stone casita rooms (most with private baths), built around private open-air patios. Beautiful, onsite ramadas also offer a quiet place for relaxation and meditation. In addition to the various healing workshops held throughout the year, the Sanctuary also offers individual psychotherapy, personal coaching, sand tray therapy, bodywork and massage. Other retreat amenities include a solar-heated pool, hot tub, art room, koi reflecting pond and hiking trails around the 92-acre ranch property.

2006 rates are $135 per day with meals; $100 per day without.

Redemptorist Renewal Center, Tucson
www.desertrenewal.org 520-744-3400

For close to fifty years, the Redemptorist Renewal Center has welcomed people of all faiths and backgrounds to its nourishing desert spirit. Situated in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains and the stunning Sonoran Desert, the Redemptorist Renewal Center provides a unique opportunity for solitude, reflection, prayer and contemplative practice. Located on 120 acres that border the Saguaro National Park West, the Center offers miles of scenic walking trails bursting with a wide variety of desert flora and fauna, plus ancient Hohokam Indian petroglyphs located on the retreat house property.
In addition to bookstore browsing and therapeutic massage, retreatants can participate in various programs designed to foster spiritual renewal and peace, including a Contemplative Study and Retreat Sabbatical. However, because a high priority is placed on appropriate silence and reflection, the Center does not provide resort-style amenities. There are 62 private guest rooms with bath (including handicapped suites), including suites, garden courtyard rooms and Hermitages for those who desire sustained silence and solitude. The onsite meeting room, dining room and chapel can comfortably accommodate 150 people.

Hidden Hollow Prayer Retreat, Flagstaff
www.HiddenHollowPrayerRetreat.org
866-542-4422 or 928-556-0832

Hidden Hollow is a secluded, prayer-based retreat on 36 privately-owned acres next to the Coconino National Forest, just ten minutes north of downtown Flagstaff. Owners Vince and Becky Conti say that their retreat is a blissful sanctuary for “tired Christians.” “Our culture encourages striving, activity and ‘busy-ness,’” Becky notes. “As a result, many believers are stressed and exhausted. I know from personal experience; we wonder why we are spiritually dry when we are doing so much.”
The retreat center is a striking cedar house with ample decks and a stunning view of the San Francisco Peaks. A simple, open chapel and rustic pine benches scattered throughout the property’s winding forest “prayer walk” beckon you to, “Be still…” 
There is no charge for daylong personal retreats, but it is necessary to make a reservation.

Shangri-La Sedona
www.ShangriLaSedona.com 877-782-8979

Shangri-La Sedona is a small day retreat that offers empowering retreats, day packages and a la carte programs that are customized to fit each individual’s needs. Retreats typically span from two and seven days; the most popular are the Golden Portal retreat (includes a vortex tour, a massage or a spiritual reading) and the Spirit Vision Quest — the last night of which is spent sleeping under the star-filled desert sky. Walk-ins are welcome for a la carte readings or massage and reiki sessions.
“Shangri-La Sedona's mission is to create a life-transforming experience for our guests in one of the most powerful and magical places in the world,” say owners Deidre Madsen and Bonny Kraus. “Are you ready to let your spirit soar?"
Tiffany Owens is a freelance writer living in Portland, Ore.

SIDEBAR

The following sites offer listings and descriptions for other retreat centers in Arizona (and across the U.S. and Canada), some with location, cost, activity and gender-specific search tools.

Find the Divine: www.findthedivine.com

Retreat Finder: www.retreatfinder.com

Retreats International: www.retreatsintl.org

eXpand retreats: www.expandretreats.com

NARDA: www.nardacenters.org

Traveling abroad? The Lodging in Italy’s Monasteries guidebook by Eileen Barish is an indispensable resource, with photos, information and sample reservation letter in Italian; now with additional guides for Spain and France: www.monasteriesofitaly.com


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