This weekend was my 2nd time attending a retreat here. I definitely recommend. This is an all…read moreinclusive experience with chef on property cooking all the meals, lots of tea, coffee and wine to drink. The property is quiet and beautifully set in the middle of pine trees. There is a schedule of activities to do but you are gently told to do what you want and take what you want from the retreat. I really enjoyed the yoga, meditation and making vision board. This is a unique experience because you meet the most amazing women and the sense of community was much needed.

Me and a girlfriend came here for a relaxing weekend retreat to spend time with each other and in…read morenature! The retreats leader was Keitha and we all loved her so much! We also got to meet Teresa at our retreat as well - she is the owner of the location. This is the perfect yoga/ relaxation retreat if you want to get away and recharge. There are multiple workshops and yoga classes and they also have a fun art and craft activities as well. It's a great place to meet other women, create friendships and bond in nature. It is located away from the city and is surrounded by trees. It is a very relaxing location. Shout out to Dana who gave the most amazing massage ever! Also a huge shout out to Angel as well who is the retreat chef. The food here was so tasty and fresh! I get food anxiety because I am vegetarian and I hate going places where I don't have anything to eat. This place has plenty of options for vegetarians and others with different dietary needs. My friend and I had so much fun here, I am so glad she found it and we were able to go together! I do wish they had some sort of charging station at the retreat as it would have been so helpful since the nearest one is about 30 miles away. All in all I would definitely recommend this retreat to others that are interested!

Meditation has been a rising phenomenon in the West, and I'm glad. We need it real badly here,…read moreespecially in these past handful of years. When did we start getting offended by the smallest things or assume that if people disagree with your opinions that they are your enemy? There's craving and gluttony at an all time high for the best experiences and foodz, thanks to IG and Yelp lol. Oh, and there's social media and tech addictions too, we're all living that to some extent. Which brings me to this serendipitous meditation center out in the middle of nowhere. Well, Kaufman isn't really too rural, but it definitely is a small town just 40 min E of Dallas that is isolated enough for this fascinating retreat. This Vipassana Siri (Southwest) center is extremely accommodating from all angles! First, you have a personal bathroom already in your room for your own peace of mind and privacy. S. N. Goenka-ji, the main Dhamma teacher, curated a pretty forgiving daily timetable to give students enough "rest" time between hour-long meditation sits. Lastly, there is also delish vegetarian food; it makes me want to come back and serve as kitchen staff just so I can make it for myself in the future! There were various gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan options, which they mark on their white board before every meal. If you have specific food restrictions, they can cater to your needs too. Just disconnecting from the real world for 11-ish days was a real treat, but also a fight, as the lack of mental stimulation was a bit too much at times. Personally, I loved how freeing and more in-control of my thoughts were after this retreat ended. I felt so much more at peace than before--which I already kinda was--but this little escape was definitely efficacious for quieting the mind. The center is sustained by donations from students who finished the 10-day course, so that others after them can comfortably use this facility for their own mental liberation. For anyone reading this, GO GO GO if you can find the days off. No matter how young or old you are, as long as you are ALIVE, you should strongly consider doing this course and learning the Dhamma. These teachings are all non-sectarian, even though it is based in Buddhism. The gist of it is that you are training your mind to be equanimous (objective, observing, non-reactive) with any external factors. That's a very tough thing to do as life is just one big ass ball of stress 24/7, huh?! So as you can see, this concept is definitely universal and very applicable to everyday life, moment-to-moment. I met people from all backgrounds and upbringings here, and can't wait to return to serve! If you want to be a better resident of this Earth, come take this course. You'll be and feel better on the other side. If you have any questions about this retreat, please don't hesitate to PM me~

The Texas Southwest Vipassana center is dedicated to teaching the dhamma. The teachings instruct…read morenot only on the conceptual level the universal law of change, but also helps students experience this truth through their own body. Although the teachings and techniques are based on Buddhist teachings, the technique is completely sectarian and can be practiced by all without any conflicts of faith. The ultimate goal is to help all people live a better life by sharing with them a technique to change their reaction-prone, emotional behavioral patterns that cause themselves and others suffering. The center itself is beautifully maintained and very serene. It is nestled in a remote area surrounded by open fields, towering trees and a lake. The female dorms each come with their own full bath; men have to share I believe. The food served is completely vegetarian but surprisingly satisfying and extremely delicious. The center is very safe and the assistant teachers and volunteer staff are always available for questions and concerns. For me, this was truly a life changing experience and I hope this review will encourage you to try it as well.

My boyfriend and I went here to have a 60 minute couples massage that included the sweetheart…read morepackage for Valentine's Day. The massage was AWESOME! Not only did we leave feeling refreshed and relaxed but the staff was also so kind and welcoming. As apart of the sweetheart package we were also given non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice, a lava cake and a small box of chocolates to enjoy after the massage. Overall an awesome experience and we will be back again soon!

Fantastic massage on Saturday. You all saved me! That drive from Houston to gun barrel city was a…read morelittle hard on my back. Jeremiah was awesome. He was very professional and paid attention to all the specific areas that I asked him to. He was very knowledgeable and so nice. I typically request a female therapist because I feel a little more comfortable. Honestly, I'm glad it was Jeremiah. He's awesome at deep tissue and I also felt relaxed. I have to say, I haven't had such a good massage in a long time. You really went above and beyond trying to schedule me and checking to see if anyone had canceled so you could get me in. I so deeply appreciate that. When I visit again, I will be sure to request Jeremiah !!!

Amazing Retreat with wonderful amenities that is close to town without the city feel!read more

Everything we needed was at our finger tips.Very easy to work with. The beauty of this place is A…read morePlus

My girlfriend and I just completed a six-night stay at Hotel Ritual--my third visit, and I still…read morecan't fully put into words how well Whitney and her staff take care of everything to ensure your stay is perfect. And I do mean perfect. From the delicious breakfasts to the sound baths, facials, and massages, everything is thoughtfully run. The entire team does everything possible to make sure you get exactly what you came for: relaxation. As the Dalai Lama once said, "Simplicity is the key to happiness." The town of Jacksonville has an almost inert charm. It feels like stepping back in time about 20 years. People are genuinely friendly and caring, and there's a quiet warmth to the place that stays with you. Already looking forward to the car show in June.

This place is a hidden gem in the great state of Texas! Their customer service/support and product…read morequality is outstanding, exceeding my expectations every time we visit. The ambiance there is always inviting and so so so comfortable. The owner and the staff are so welcoming and friendly but also highly knowledgeable and skilled. Love-Love-Love The Hotel Ritual!