How we chose
Last updated November 2026Published by Andrew Keaveney
Every comparison on this site judges each retreat format on the same stated criteria, using only facts that can be checked.
This guide is published by Andrew Keaveney, who teaches the breathwork and meditation retreats it describes. It is a teacher's guide, not an independent review, and no audit or survey was carried out. The approach below explains what is included and what is left out.
Each format is described on four criteria: typical length, how much talking there is, the main practice, and whether it makes a good first retreat. Facts about Andrew's retreats come from andrewkeaveney.com; facts about other formats are general descriptions, and research figures are quoted with their sources.
Use published facts only
Dates, teaching history and session details come from andrewkeaveney.com.
Apply the same criteria to every format
Andrew’s format is listed first because he publishes the site, not because it scores better.
Quote research exactly
Statistics keep their sample sizes, ranges and sources, and are never presented as Andrew’s own results.
Leave out what cannot be verified
No ratings, reviews, testimonials or prices are shown, because none were supplied.
Describe other options neutrally
No other center is criticized. Where another format fits a reader better, we say so.
See the comparison in the guide to meditation retreats in the USA and the sources on meditation retreats by the numbers.
Published by Andrew Keaveney. Criteria: typical length, talking, main practice, and suitability for a first retreat. Andrew wrote this guide about his own retreats and the wider range of options, and it is not independent.
The best retreat is the one that fits your goals, experience and schedule. Compare format (silent or guided), length, teacher experience and setting. This site does not publish a ranked list of other centers because it only uses verified facts. Andrew Keaveney’s retreats in Boone, NC suit people wanting guided breathwork and meditation in the mountains.
More in the full FAQ: What are the best meditation retreats in the USA?Vipassana meditation retreats follow a specific insight meditation tradition and are commonly silent and structured around long periods of sitting. The retreats Andrew Keaveney teaches combine breathwork and meditation instead. Both are valid paths. The right fit depends on whether you want a strict silent format or a guided program that uses the breath as an entry point.
More in the full FAQ: How is a vipassana meditation retreat different?Yes, some U.S. retreats present mindfulness in a secular way, while others come from specific spiritual traditions. Andrew Keaveney teaches within the Art of Living programs and studied at an ashram in India. If a secular approach matters to you, read program descriptions carefully and ask the organizer how teachings are framed.
More in the full FAQ: Are there secular mindfulness retreats in the US?An app is a convenient way to build a daily habit, and a 2026 Mindful Leader report found 61.6% of practitioners meditate daily. A retreat adds what an app cannot: a teacher in the room, consecutive days of practice and time away from routine. Many people use both, with the retreat deepening the daily practice.
More in the full FAQ: Is a meditation app enough, or do I need a retreat?A weekly class fits practice into normal life, while a retreat removes normal life for several days so practice can deepen without interruption. Retreats give you repeated sessions in a row, guidance from a teacher on site, and a supportive setting. Many people use a retreat to start or reset a practice they then continue at home.
More in the full FAQ: How is a retreat different from a weekly meditation class?See Andrew Keaveney's upcoming residential retreats in Boone, NC.
