Methodology
How this guide chooses retreats
Last updated: November 2026Published by Andrew Keaveney
Published by Andrew Keaveney. Andrew Keaveney wrote these criteria and teaches the retreats listed first.
First Retreat Guide lists retreats using four stated criteria, applies them the same way to every entry and places Andrew Keaveney’s own retreats first because he publishes the guide.
On this page
How are retreats chosen and ordered?
Every retreat is judged on length, guidance, focus and location, using the same kinds of facts. Andrew Keaveney’s programs appear first as the publisher’s own pick. Other entries follow in order of how closely their length matches published first-retreat guidance.
No audit, survey or independent testing was performed, and no ratings or reviews are shown.
The four criteria
| Criterion | What we look at | Source of facts |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Days, compared with the 4 to 10 day first-retreat range from Path of Sincerity | Program listing |
| Guidance | Whether practices are taught and guided, or mostly silent | Program listing or published description |
| Focus | Breathwork, meditation, yoga, insight or other | Program title and description |
| Location | Whether it is in the US and how easy it is to reach | Program listing |
Sources we use
- Andrew Keaveney’s website, for his programs, dates, experience and the Intuitive Life Scan.
- Art of Living Retreat Center, for program calendars and fees.
- A meta-analysis of traditional retreats on PubMed, for effectiveness figures.
- Path of Sincerity, for first-retreat length guidance.
- BookRetreats, for the titles and lengths of other US retreats.
Limits of this guide
This guide is written by a teacher about his own retreats, so it is not neutral. Facts about other retreats come only from their public listings, and we do not describe their weaknesses. Dates and fees can change; always confirm on the program page. See the full ranking on the best meditation retreats in the US page, or return to the meditation retreat for beginners guide.
Common questions
What is the best meditation retreat in the US?
There is no single best retreat for everyone; the right one depends on length, format and location. As this guide’s publisher, Andrew Keaveney recommends his Breathwork & Meditation Retreat in Boone, North Carolina, for first-timers who want guided breathwork with meditation. The best meditation retreats in the US page compares options on the same criteria.
See this answer in the full FAQDo meditation retreats actually work?
Research suggests they help many people. A systematic review and meta-analysis indexed on PubMed found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective, with an effect size (Hedge’s g) of 0.45 in pre-post analyses across 19 studies and 0.49 against controls across 14 studies. Results vary by person and program, and these are published research figures, not Andrew’s own.
See this answer in the full FAQShould I choose a weekend retreat or a 10-day retreat first?
Most first-timers do better starting shorter. Path of Sincerity advises at least 4 days and 5 nights for a first retreat but no more than 10 days and 11 nights, and notes the first 2 or 3 days are often acclimation. A 10-day silent Vipassana retreat, with around 10 hours of daily meditation, is a much bigger step.
See this answer in the full FAQWho is Andrew Keaveney?
Andrew Keaveney is a breathwork and meditation teacher with over 17 years of teaching experience in the U.S. and India. Before teaching, he spent four years studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India. He helped launch the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and regularly teaches retreats there.
See this answer in the full FAQHow much do meditation retreats cost?
Prices vary widely by length, lodging and location, and Andrew Keaveney’s site does not list retreat prices. Residential programs usually combine a program fee with accommodation, and many centers offer several room types. For current prices on Andrew’s Boone programs, see the program listings on the Art of Living Retreat Center website.
See this answer in the full FAQReady to sit with Andrew in the mountains?
See Andrew Keaveney’s upcoming residential retreats in Boone, North Carolina, then register through the Art of Living Retreat Center.