Outstanding Outdoor Spiritual Retreat Places in Western Massachusetts

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An outdoor spiritual retreat in Western Massachusetts calls me to nurture my inner being. In the words of one of my favorite authors and environmentalists, Terry Tempest Williams, “To slow down is to be taken into the soul of things.” These wild places cause me to pause enough to find a spiritual center.

An outdoor spiritual retreat to Temenos, Julian’s Bower, and the Peace Pagoda in Western Massachusetts is a source for finding personal connection in nature. I share these spaces that have been important spiritual outdoor spaces for me. I hope they will give you an access point to nurture your spirit.

What are Outdoor Spiritual Retreats?

It is obvious that one person’s spiritual journey is vastly different from the next person’s. However, through contemplation and reflection, there are outdoor retreat places in Western Massachusetts that are dedicated to enriching and nurturing the spiritual quest of visitors. Whether an overnight trip or a day trip, these retreat places guarantee a chance to go deeper.

There are certainly religious histories and roots in the three places I write about here. Yet, the non-denominational nature of these outdoor retreats is also evident. All faiths and beliefs are welcome as a way to experience the unity of spirit, nature, and humanity.

To slow down is to be taken into the soul of things

Terry tempest Williams

The spiritual outdoor retreat places in Western Massachusetts presented here are Temenos Retreat Center, Julian’s Bower, and the Peace Pagoda. I introduce these outdoor spaces from the lens of what is sacred to me. I hope you will visit these places and find your own meaning.

Temenos Retreat Center

Temenos is a spiritual sanctuary and retreat center in Shutesbury, MA. Quaker activists and educators Joe and Teresina Havens founded it after buying the land in 1973. Temenos is the Greek word for a sacred space. Therefore, seekers of rest, renewal, and silence can use the land and buildings for contemplative practice.

Temenos is located on 70 acres of forest adjacent to the Quabbin Reservoir watershed. The area has a vibrant history as a place of healing. In the mid-1800s, people would come by wagon to the Mt. Mineral Springs house. There, they would imbibe in the mineral waters said to promote health. You can still see the original mineral springs behind the caretaker’s Birch Cabin. You can drink the mineral enriched water at the hand pump that supplies water for the retreat center.

There are four retreat cabins and a lodge for community events and workshops. Mu, Thrush, Knoll, and family-sized Pine cabins provide simple spaces for reflection and solitude. However, with wood stove heat, a propane cook stove on the porch, and a composting privy, cabin life is rustic. The simple grace of carrying wood and water is a contemplative practice.

Temenos Sacred Sites

Besides the cabin and lodge as spaces for retreat, there are other emblems of spirituality at Temenos. The Monk’s Cave is at the entrance of Mt. Mineral Road hidden in tree roots on the right. It is built into the hill out of rocks. Some people speculate that the underground chamber is the same style of caves crafted by Irish monks. However, the origins of this round, cistern-like structure are not known.

A Buddhist influence found at Temenos shows up in the Jizo carving found on the rocks in front of Mu Cabin. Jizo is a popular icon in Japanese Buddhism.

Other sacred sites include the Pine Grove and the Hemlock Rock Labyrinth for contemplative walking. There is also the mysterious stone Monolith of unknown origin. In sum, there are multiple sites for nurturing spirtuality.

Temenos Trails for Outdoor Spiritual Retreat

For both day visitors and overnight seekers, the two trails of Temenos provide wonderful walking mediation

The Ledges Loop is a 1.42-mile loop blazed in blue. It starts behind the red caretaker cabin. The trail traverses ridges with scooped out valleys on either side of the narrow land bridge trail. In the winter, the ledges spawn a gorgeous curtain of frozen icicles.

The Overlook Trail starts at the fire circle beside the lodge. Follow the white blazes through the hemlock forest. Enjoy the whacky rhododendron’s twisted limbs. It’s like the rhododendron couldn’t decide which way to grow and once they did, they changed their minds. A lot.

The Overlook Trail ends on a cliff side overlooking the Berkshires. In addition, the overlook is on the boundary of the Julian’s Bower property.

Julian’s Bower

Artistic inspiration has a basis in spirituality. Julian Janowitz knew this in creating the “Artistic Wilderness” of Julian’s Bower. Before he died in 2019, Julian created many beautiful sculptures and other art pieces scattered across the 140 acres of forest, wetlands, and fields he owned.

Julian’s Bower is located around Ames Pond on Wendell Road in Shutesbury. Julian’s wish late in his life was to find a conservation organization to preserve the wildland and his artistic works. He collaborated with the Kestrel Land Trust to realize his dream. The outdoor areas of his property are open to the public to explore.

I used to teach a class called Backyard Wilderness and would take my students to visit Julian to understand the connections between art, wilderness, and spirituality. Julian would take us out on the trails. He would enthrall the college students with stories about each sculpture we viewed. It was a precious time with this amazing man.

Julian’s Bower Sacred Sites

You will discover art sculptures almost anywhere you walk on the land at Julian’s Bower. Here are three of my favorites.

The Mobius strip of a woman and a man dancing sits prominently above the pond. Julian was fascinated by the male/female dichotomy and used this mosaic glass sculpture to explore the fluidity between the sexes. The art piece lights up at night to further amplify its beauty.

The big O is situated in a field where the old sawmill was once powered by Ames Pond. It is the first major work of art you will see when you enter the property. I remember once asking Julian what it was and he shrugged and smiled. He just liked making it.

The Magic Door is my favorite piece at Julian’s Bower as it shows his whimsy. He believed that every child’s fantasy of opening a magic door should be shared by all. No spoilers here on what’s behind the magic door; you will have to find out yourself. The Magic Door is located past the Dancers on a path that goes into the woods on the far south side of the property.

Julian’s Bower Trails for Outdoor Spiritual Retreat

There are 5 miles of trails for hiking and cross country skiing at Julian’s Bower. To protect wildlife, dogs are not welcome. In the winter, Julian requested that cross country skiing be the mode of travel. He discouraged hiking on the snow-covered trails to maintain the ski tracks.

The trailhead parking is on Wendell Road north of the driveway to the house which is private property. The trail crosses a field with wintergreen and cranberries in season. Sculptures abound around the field.

The trail continues around Ames pond with many side trails to see beaver lodges and the lake views. Proceeding through the woods, you will find laminated poems by Julian pinned to trees. Bearing right, the trail crosses the majestic bog on a wooden walkway he built. Prime bog species of cotton grass, cranberries, pitcher plants, and sphagnum moss can be found. A bench and mailbox with a journal at the midpoint of the walkway is a perfect place for written reflections.

The trails continue through the woods past a large glacial erratic boulder. Proceed toward the ledges to find the stone staircase Julian built up the cliff. This work of impressive engineering and labor will take you to the overlook of Ames Pond. Look in the distance for the Berkshire Mountains and Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. At this point, Julian’s Bower adjoins the Tememos Overlook Trail.

Related Post -> Best Hikes in the Holyoke Range

Peace Pagoda

The Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist shrine located on Cave Hill Road in Leverett. It was the first peace pagoda memorizing universal peace and enlightenment to be built in North America. Built entirely by volunteer labor on donated land, the inauguration was in 1985.

The site of the Peace Pagoda is significant in the hills of Western Massachusetts. Moreover, it can be seen from many high points throughout the region. Visit my post on the best viewpoints in Western Massachusetts and you will find vistas where the tiny white dot of the Peace Pagoda is in the distance.

Peace Pagoda Sacred Sites

The Pagoda

The Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order. There are four golden, elevated alcoves in the dome. Each depicts a stage of Buddha’s life.

The Old Temple

The original temple at the Peace Pagoda was destroyed by fire. It was an act of arson, committed by those intolerant of difference. A true irony at a place of peace.

The ornately carved entryway arch is all that remains. A Japanese rock garden of peace replaces the old shell of the fire-scarred building. In this zen garden, pebbles can be raked into waves of meaning to the seeker.

The New Temple

A few years after the demise of the old temple, a new temple began to take shape on the other side of the pagoda. This temple in stone and ornate gold is a place for contemplation and living space for the saffron-robed monks and nuns of the Nipponzan Myohoji order.

I’ve often taken my students to the Peace Pagoda in late fall. The spiritual community leaders have invited us in for drumming and chanting in front of the elegant gilded altar. It is an impactful spiritual opportunity that I hope you will experience.

Peace Pagoda Trails for Outdoor Spiritual Retreat

The trails at the Peace Pagoda lack any significant length. However, they are steeped in wonder for anyone on a spiritual outdoor retreat.

The walk up the hill to the pagoda is best done in silent mediation. During your walk you will pass the Cambodian Temple that is also on the site. Then you will walk past many tiny stone cairns placed by former visitors. Emerging into open field, the Peace Pagoda and new Temple come into glorious view.

Past the pagoda, many trails wind around the pond surrounded by prayer flags. Stone bridges give access to magnificent views of the pagoda.

There is also a short loop trail honoring the Native Americans living on this land. A sign here offers a plea for community-based values.

Accommodations near these Outdoor Spiritual Retreat Places

A wonderful weekend trip to Western Massachusetts will allow you to visit all these spiritual outdoor places. Delightful local accommodations add to the respite of your trip.

The Sunlit Cozy Amherst Cabin is a 10 or 20-minute drive from the Peace Pagoda, Temenos, and Julian’s Bower. This sweet stand-alone suite is a charming log cabin on 80 acres. If it’s chilly there is an electric fireplace. In the summer, go swimming in the in-ground pool. Spectacular hiking trails around Atkins Reservoir are nearby. This is the perfect quiet cabin to base for your journey to spiritual outdoor spaces.

For fans of historical bed and breakfast accommodations, the Amherst Inn is a choice place to stay. The gorgeous Victorian “Painted Lady” house is across the street from the Emily Dickinson house if you want to mix the iconic Belle of Amherst’s poetry into your spiritual journey. The staff at the Amherst Inn will pamper you with a delicious homemade breakfast.

Wrap Up of Outdoor Spiritual Retreat Places in Western Massachusetts

Whether art, simplicity, or shrine, each of these spiritual outdoor retreats has a draw that beckons me to explore the essential questions of life more deeply.

To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.

terry tempest williams

Connections to community, beauty, nature, and self is possible in these sublime spaces. Please find substance and peace when you visit these outdoor spiritual retreat places.

For other beautiful natural places nearby in Western Massachusetts, visit my posts on Mt. Toby Outdoor Activities and 10 Awesome Outdoor Pocket Adventures in Western Massachusetts.

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