THE SPIRITUAL CATSKILLS: Finding Inner Peace in the Great Outdoors

By Greg Madden

When we first meet someone new, we want to know who they are … so we inquire as to where they are from and what they do. It is part of getting to know them and usually they ask us who we are as well. Traditionally, one offers that they are from a certain city, state or country and if they have an accent or regional speech pattern we dig more, respectfully of course.

Sometimes the answer to that isn’t a place or country, it’s their religion. That at first sounded odd to me but should it? Being spiritual by nature (I was supposed to be my family’s priest, and recently became ordained to do weddings and ceremonies) but instead of hearing I’m Irish, Italian or Korean for example, the replay can be I’m Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, or Amish!

We self identify for reasons that are important to us and our tribes. We are many things, and the spiritual journey leads us toward a message of oneness and not separation, which divides us.

I am a proud “Catskillian” now. In 2012 I came to the Xenia Resort in Hunter for a spiritual retreat called “Each One, Teach One.” Groups of 60-80 spiritualists would assemble several times a year from all over the world to expand and increase their levels of consciousness and learn from each other through conversation, lectures and breakout groups.

As an aspiring healer, I found home and peace in this group, led casually by an amazing being of light, Orest Bedrij, who recently transitioned to his eternal home and into the “One Energy.” Bedrij was a kind and gentle soul whose message was love and purity. Being in his presence was healing and magical, one of the “Great Spirits,” devoted warriors of kindness and compassion. He was private, but wrote many books, some spiritual, some filled with science beyond most people’s comprehension. Google him for yourself. He was a hidden Catskills gem for decades.

There were folks from everywhere who attended these retreats, people from every spiritual and religious background including the searchers, those looking for answers, the most often discussed is “Why am I here?” (who doesn’t ask this?). Since moving here full time in 2020, I have found our mountainous region to be laden with spiritualists looking for answers.

For centuries, the region stretching north to Canada and east to the southern New England coast has attracted with its powerful energies those seeking spiritual solace and renewal. Here is very special, as seekers are drawn by the mountains’ natural beauty, our rich history, and the sense of mystery that seems to emanate from every stone and stream, beckoning those in search of deeper connections—to nature, to themselves, and to something greater than themselves.

The spirituality of the Catskills is not limited to any one religion or belief system. Instead, it is sacred ground for both traditional forms of worship and more modern, non-traditional expressions of spirituality. Whether through silent meditation in a secluded forest glade, participation in religious retreats, or through engagement with the earth-based spiritual practices often associated with the mountains themselves, the Catskills offer a deeply personal spiritual experience to all who seek it.

Our indigenous brothers and sisters lived here knowing these mountains were more than just a physical landscape; they were imbued with sacred meaning. Rivers and waterfalls were considered sacred sites, places where the natural and spiritual worlds intertwined. These traditions of reverence for the land still linger in the air today, influencing not only the indigenous spiritual practices that survive but also the sense of sacredness that others have adopted over time.

When travel became easier, the Transcendentalists, influenced by the works of Emerson and Thoreau, found in the Catskills a place to reconnect with nature and the divine. For them, these mountains offered a way to experience a profound unity with the universe, where nature itself became a cathedral, and solitude was a form of prayer.

That spiritual legacy continues in the present day, where both traditional and non-traditional worshipers find solace in the Catskills, seeking clarity, peace, and connection in its valleys and on its peaks.

Many spiritual seekers visit the Catskills for the traditional worship opportunities offered by various religious communities that have established roots in the region. The southern Catskills, is home to numerous Christian retreats and monasteries, most notably the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center and the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. Here, those of the Christian faith can participate in guided retreats that offer a structured spiritual experience through prayer, reflection, and meditation. These retreats often focus on helping individuals deepen their connection to God through contemplation, scripture reading, and periods of silence, after all silence is golden.

The Catskills also host Jewish spiritual retreats, with institutions like the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, just over the border into CT which offers an immersive experience in Jewish traditions and teachings. These retreats typically combine religious study with outdoor activities, emphasizing a connection to both spiritual practice and nature. Shabbat services held in the open air, under the canopy of ancient trees, allow participants to experience a closeness to creation that is rare in urban settings.

Another significant aspect of traditional worship in the Catskills is the Buddhist monasteries and retreat centers that have made the mountains their home. Perhaps the most well-known of these is the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mount Tremper, which offers both short-term and long-term residential retreats. The monastery’s teachings focus on zazen (seated meditation), mindfulness, and the study of Zen scriptures. Participants at Zen Mountain often find that the isolation and stillness of the mountains mirror the quiet, reflective practices of Buddhism, encouraging personal insight and spiritual growth. Here, the sacred silence of the mountains becomes a companion on the spiritual journey.

The Catskills, however, are not solely a haven for those seeking traditional religious experiences. In recent decades, the region has become increasingly popular among individuals exploring non-traditional forms of spirituality, particularly those who see nature as their primary source of spiritual nourishment.

Many spiritual seekers in the Catskills are drawn to Earthbased spiritual practices, such as modern paganism, Wicca, or shamanic traditions. These belief systems often emphasize the sacredness of the natural world, viewing the land as a living entity with its own spirit. Practitioners engage in rituals that honor the changing of the seasons, celebrate the phases of the moon, and seek communion with the spirits of the land. The Catskill Mountains, with their ancient forests, flowing rivers, and dramatic vistas, provide the perfect setting for these earth-centered practices.

For many, simply being in nature, without the need for formal rituals, is a deeply spiritual experience. The act of hiking through a forest, sitting beside a waterfall, or watching the sun set over a mountain peak can evoke feelings of awe and wonder that transcend religious boundaries. It’s not uncommon to encounter individuals practicing forest bathing, a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-yoku, in the Catskills. This practice involves immersing oneself in the sensory experience of the forest, with the belief that nature has the power to heal and restore the spirit. Many report feeling a deep sense of peace and renewal after spending time in the mountains, where the natural world seems to speak directly to the soul.

Another non-traditional spiritual offering that has found a home in the Catskills is the yoga and meditation retreat. Centers like The Ananda Ashram in Monroe and The Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa in Phoenicia offer immersive experiences that combine physical practice with spiritual teachings. At these retreats, participants engage in daily yoga sessions, meditation, and teachings on mindfulness and inner peace. The serene environment of the Catskills enhances these practices, allowing participants to retreat from the busy paths of modern life and focus inward, where all the answers lie.

The Catskills are also home to several spiritual festivals and community gatherings that draw people from all walks of life. One of the most well-known takes place to the southwest, The New York Faerie Festival in Ouaquaga, which celebrates earthbased spirituality, myth, and folklore. Participants dress as faeries, elves, and other mystical beings, celebrating the magic of nature through music, dance, and communal gatherings. This festival, and others like it, highlights the playful and celebratory side of non-traditional spiritual practices, emphasizing the joy that can be found in community and connection to the earth.

Additionally, the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, located just outside the Catskills in Rhinebeck, offers workshops and festivals focused on personal growth, spirituality, and holistic healing. The institute attracts world-renowned teachers in fields ranging from yoga and meditation to energy healing and shamanism, creating a space for spiritual exploration and community building.

In the Catskills, spirituality is not confined to churches, temples, or monasteries—it is found in the rustling of leaves, the whisper of the wind, and the steady flow of the rivers. Here, the sacred is woven into the very fabric of the land, waiting to be discovered by those who are willing to seek it.

Our area of Mother Earth offers a unique blend of traditional and non-traditional spiritual experiences, making it a sanctuary for all who seek deeper meaning, connection, and peace. Whether through structured religious retreats, earth-based rituals, or quiet reflection in nature, the mountains invite us to slow down, to listen, and to connect with something larger than ourselves.

The concept of mindfulness, or being present in the moment, is central to many spiritual practices found in the Catskills. Whether through yoga, meditation, or simply walking in the woods, the mountains offer an ideal setting for cultivating mindfulness. The natural beauty of the area encourages individuals to slow down, to breathe deeply, and to be present with the rhythms of nature.

As we are in November, a time of thanksgiving around the world and a month before many spiritual and joyous religious celebrations, I encourage you to look to our Catskills to soothe your spiritual curiosity, as I did several years ago.

Greg Madden (IlluminatingWellness.care) is certified in the ancient healing arts of energy medicine, Tui-Na Medical Massage Therapist, BioPhoton Light Therapy (Biontology.com) and is a freelance consultant specializing in feature writing, marketing, public relations, branding and broadcasting.