Retreat: Encyclopedia II - Retreat - As used by religious groups

Retreat - As used by religious groups

A retreat is generally a time of solitude, prayer, or meditation conducted in a remote location, either privately, or at a retreat centre such as a monastery. Regular retreats are considered essential in Buddhism, and they are also popular in many Christian churches, including evangelical Protestants, Roman Catholics and Anglicans.

Depending on the religion's particular understanding and emphasis, a retreat may be a solitary event, or a group gathering. Some retreats are held in silence, and on others there may be a great deal of conversation, depending on the understanding and accepted practices of the host facility and/or the participant(s).

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "As used by religious groups", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki