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Retreats and Quiet Places
Throughout the year, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life offers occasional retreats for those who seek time out to renew their spirits. We also regularly refer seekers to the many retreat centers in Massachusetts and throughout the Northeast. (See a partial list below.) Optimally, a retreat won't be a "stolen luxury" in a busy life or an "irresponsible escape" from a politically oppressive world. It can unveil an experience of the
Holy, which may become the seedbed of renewed faith, wisdom, courage, and activism. Ideally, a retreat will also become a rule and not an exception; its effects can spill over into daily life, creating a hunger for regular periods of prayer and renewal.
Quiet Places
 There are several quiet, beautiful places on and near the campus which are conducive to contemplation and reflection. Some of our favorite sites include:
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The Harvard University
Art Museums, especially the Fogg and the
Sackler
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Andover and Divinity Hall Chapels (Meditation cushions are available for your use.)
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The Andover-Harvard Theological Library
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Outdoor Spaces:
- The HDS labyrinth and contemplative garden near Andover and
Rockefeller Halls
- The benches beneath the trees on Andover Lawn
- The courtyard of the Center for the Study of World Religions (CSWR)
- The park on the grounds of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- The Minute Man Bike Trail
- Walking and running paths by the Charles River
Retreats and Contemplative Organizations: A Few Regional Links
The sites below are maintained by organizations external to Harvard Divinity
School; their inclusion here does not necessarily imply endorsement by HDS. If
you know of other resources that you think should be considered for inclusion on
this page, please contact the director
of religious and spiritual life.
- Retreats
Online,
Massachusetts
- Ruah Spirituality Institute (Brookline,
MA)
- Society of
Saint John the Evangelist (Cambridge and W. Newburyport,
MA)
- Eastern Point Retreat Center (Gloucester,
MA)
- Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (Lenox, MA)
- Insight Meditation
Society/Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (Barre, MA)
- Zen Peacemakers,
Montague Farm (Montague, MA)
- The Empty Bell (Northampton, MA)
- Center for Contemplative Mind in Society (Northampton,
MA)
- Rowe Camp and Conference Center (Rowe, MA)
- The Peace Abbey (Sherborn, MA)
- Saint Joseph's Abbey (Spencer,
MA)
- Saint Joseph
Retreat Center (Cohasset, MA)
- Elat
Chayyim: The Jewish Retreat Center (Accord,
NY)
- Morgan Bay Zendo (Surry, ME)
- Greenfire (Women's Retreat Center, Tenants Harbor,
ME)
- Kirkridge Retreat and
Study Center (Bangor,
PA)
- Star Island (Portsmouth, NH)
- Two Roads Maine (Freeport, ME)
- Zen Mountain Monastery (Mt.
Tremper, NY)
- Abode of the Message Retreat Center (New Lebanon, NY)
- Meetingbrook (Camden, ME)
- Pendle Hill (Wallingford, PA)
- Rolling Ridge Retreat Center (North Andover, MA)
- Agape Community (Ware, MA)
- Online Ignatian Retreat (in the Christian
tradition)
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