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Andrew Keaveney Retreats

Weekend meditation retreat

A weekend meditation retreat in North Carolina

Last updated November 2026By Andrew Keaveney

A weekend meditation retreat is a two to four day residential program that fits around a normal work week, and Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs four days, November 5 to 8, in Boone, North Carolina.

A meditation weekend retreat gives you several guided sessions in a row, away from screens and errands, without needing extended time off. Andrew Keaveney teaches it at the Art of Living Retreat Center, pairing breathwork with meditation so the mind has something concrete to settle on.

See the weekend retreat dates

Is a weekend meditation retreat worth it?

Yes, for most people a weekend meditation retreat is worth it as a first step or a reset: it is long enough to learn practices and feel the effect of consecutive days, and short enough to fit a busy schedule. It is not the same as a long silent retreat, which offers deeper immersion.

A weekend wins if you are new, short on time off, or want to restart a practice. A longer or silent retreat fits better if you already sit regularly and want extended, uninterrupted depth.

Weekend retreat meditation, explained

Definition: weekend meditation retreat

A weekend meditation retreat is a short, usually residential program that runs across a weekend, often adding a day on either side. You stay on site, follow a schedule of guided practice, meals and rest, and return home with a routine to continue. Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat in Boone runs November 5 to 8, four days that include Saturday and Sunday. Unlike a weekend silent meditation retreat, it is built around guided breathwork and meditation, though quiet time is a natural part of any retreat day.

Weekend options with Andrew in numbers

Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, Nov 5 to 8
4 days
Happiness Retreat, Nov 11 to 13
3 days
years Andrew has taught breathwork and meditation
17+
of practitioners sit 10 to 20 minutes, the most common length
36.2%

Program dates as listed on andrewkeaveney.com, as of November 2026. Session length figure from the 2026 Meditation Practice Report, Mindful Leader.

Meditation weekend retreat dates in Boone, NC

  • November 5 to 8, 20264 days

    Breathwork & Meditation Retreat

    Guided breathwork paired with meditation, so the breath becomes the doorway into stillness. A strong first retreat for beginners and returning meditators alike.

    Residential retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC

  • November 11 to 13, 20263 days

    Happiness Retreat

    A shorter residential retreat centered on a quiet mind and a joyful heart, the theme that runs through Andrew’s teaching and writing.

    Residential retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC

Dates as listed on andrewkeaveney.com, as of November 2026. Prices, schedules and registration are on the Art of Living Retreat Center program calendar.

How to plan a weekend meditation retreat near me

If you are searching for a weekend meditation retreat near me, start with drive time. Weekend meditation retreats in California or the Bay Area suit West Coast readers; Boone, North Carolina is a practical choice for people in the Southeast and East Coast who would rather drive than fly.

  1. Set your drive radius

    A short trip keeps more of the weekend for practice and rest.

  2. Choose guided or silent

    Guided suits beginners. A weekend silent meditation retreat suits experienced sitters.

  3. Check arrival and departure times

    Andrew’s November 5 to 8 retreat starts before the weekend, so plan a day or two off.

  4. Confirm lodging, meals and price

    See the Art of Living Retreat Center program page for each retreat.

  5. Pack warm layers

    Mountain mornings in November can be cool.

Part of the meditation retreat guide by Andrew Keaveney.

Weekend retreat questions

What is a weekend meditation retreat?

A weekend meditation retreat is a short residential program, usually two to four days, that fits around a normal work week. It gives you consecutive days of guided practice without needing extended time off. Andrew Keaveney’s Breathwork and Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8, four days that include a weekend, in Boone, North Carolina.

More in the full FAQ: What is a weekend meditation retreat?

Is a weekend retreat long enough to make a difference?

A weekend is enough to learn practices, experience several sessions in a row and leave with a routine to continue at home. Longer retreats allow deeper immersion. Research summarized on this site’s research page looked at traditional retreats broadly, so it does not isolate weekend formats. Many people start with a short retreat, then return for longer ones.

More in the full FAQ: Is a weekend retreat long enough to make a difference?

How do I find a weekend meditation retreat near me?

Search for residential retreat centers within driving distance, then compare program length, format, teacher experience and whether lodging and meals are included. If you live in or near the Southeast, Boone, North Carolina is home to the Art of Living Retreat Center, where Andrew Keaveney regularly teaches residential breathwork and meditation retreats.

More in the full FAQ: How do I find a weekend meditation retreat near me?

Is there a weekend silent meditation retreat option?

Some centers run weekend silent meditation retreats, often with silence held for part or all of the program. Andrew Keaveney’s listed retreats are guided breathwork and meditation programs, and the supplied program descriptions do not say they are fully silent. Andrew has made a short film called A Not So Silent Retreat about the retreat experience.

More in the full FAQ: Is there a weekend silent meditation retreat option?

What should I pack for a weekend meditation retreat?

Pack comfortable, layered clothing you can sit in, warm layers for mountain mornings, walking shoes, a water bottle and any personal medication. A notebook is useful for reflections. Boone sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so check the forecast before you go. The retreat center may publish its own packing guidance on its program pages.

More in the full FAQ: What should I pack for a weekend meditation retreat?

Do I need to take time off work for a weekend retreat?

It depends on the dates. Some weekend meditation retreats run Friday to Sunday, while others start earlier. Andrew’s Breathwork and Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8, so most working people would plan a day or two off. Check the exact arrival and departure times on the retreat center’s program page.

More in the full FAQ: Do I need to take time off work for a weekend retreat?

Spend a weekend in the mountains

Join Andrew Keaveney for four days of breathwork and meditation in Boone, NC.

See upcoming retreats