A Sojourn for Solitude: The Art of Personal Retreats in Revolutionary Massachusetts

In the land that bore witness to its hallowed heroes' quest for liberty, one now embarks on a singular journeya pilgrimage within the storied landscape of Massachusetts, seeking respite from life's relentless cacophony. As we wander through this veritable tapestry of historic battles and burgeoning artistic vigor, guided by New England's discerning spirit and progressive ethos, allow me to unravel a curated itinerary designed for those who yearn for solitary reprieve.

Venture first towards Walden Pond (915 Walden St., Concord), where Henry David Thoreau once retreated into his self-fashioned cocoon. Today, follow in Thoreau's footsteps with peaceful venture along tranquil waters or lose oneself amidst the fabled pathways enveloped in nature's embrace.

Next, immerse yourself within Boston Athenum (1012 Beacon St., Boston), membership permittinga haven not just for bibliophiles but also embracing neoclassical artistry abounds throughout this five-floor tribute to literary genius. Pause at John Singer Sargents stunning murals while combing through manuscripts reminiscent of Paul Reveres Midnight Ride or Longfellow's masterpiece Paul Reveres Ride.

Onward then to Provincetown (Cape Cod)--; a paradoxical marriage between bustling creative energy and quiet contemplation awaits inside galleries lining Commercial Street. Walk anonymously among world-class sculptures crafted by local artists such as Romolo Del Deotheir presence unobtrusive yet intriguingeveloping our psyche with its enigmatic allure.

Diversify your spiritual exercises via Kripalu Center (57 Interlaken Rd., Stockbridge)this bastion of holistic well-being nestled amid Berkshires mountainscape offering an eclectic blend courses ranging yoga meditation Ayurvedic treatments satisfying naturalistic tendencies alongside transpersonal psychology workshops nourishing intellect.

Returning to Boston, revel in the Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary (67 Smith Place, Cambridge), where this unconventional temple invites exploration through Zen Buddhist mediation practices. Partake in mindful walking and sitting meditation under Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's tutelagebridging ancient wisdom with our modern pursuit for inner serenity.

Tread upon Elizabeth Cary Agassiz's path by attending her brainchildthe Radcliffe Seminars of Harvard University (Radcliffe Yard)where one may indulge an intellectual feast surrounded by kindred spirits eager drink history presented stimulating courses covering broad spectrum subjects spanning science humanities but possessing keener sense individual progression while sipping tea among institution that nurtures aforementioned quests personal enlightenment growth ever pervasive spirit Massachusetts revolutionaries before us continue onward benignant shadows lasting legacy their indomitable quest freedom autonomy ourselves intact resolute unyielding so too shall be.

Addresses / Websites:

Walden Pond - 915 Walden St., Concord, MA 01742

https://www.mass.gov/locations/walden-pond-state-reservation

Boston Athenum - 1012 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108

https://www.bostonathenaeum.org/

Provincetown Art Galleries:

http://provincetownartistregistry.com/

https://provincetowntourismoffice.org/galleries-museums-in-provincetown

Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health - 57 Interlaken Rd., Stockbridge, MA 01262

https://kripalu.org/

Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary - The Cambridge Zen Center; Three Treasures Temple; Healthy Pharms Therapy Room

Various locations around Greater Boston and Cape Ann.

http: www.sacredspaceyogaandestuarysanctuary.com/events-calendar.html

Radcliffe Seminars of Harvard University Schlesinger Library on History Women America8 Garden St.Cambridge 02138 https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library

address

915 Walden St.
Concord, MA
United States

1012 Beacon St.
Boston, MA
United States


MA
United States

57 Interlaken Rd.
Stockbridge, MA
United States

67 Smith Place
Cambridge, MA
United States

Radcliffe
Yard, MA
United States

Geo
Images
Walden Pond State Reservation
Walden Pond State Reservation - Concord, Massachusetts, May 15, 2010
Interior of replica of Thoreau's cabin, Walden Pond
Ice on Walden Pond.
The beach at Walden Pond
Very smooth, tight joints on crazy paving at Walden Pond beach.
Walden Pond State Reservation
An outbound train leaves St. Marys Street station in May 2012. The walls of the St. Marys Street Portal are visible in the foreground.
The Carlton Street grade crossing (which was a "C" Branch stop until 1982) in March 2017
Looking inbound at St. Marys Street MBTA station on the Green Line C Branch, Boston Massachusetts - the CITGO sign is visible in the background.
The CITGO sign above St. Marys Street station at night in February 2013
A three-car train of PCC streetcars bound for Lechmere approaches St. Mary's Street station in August 1970
St. Marys Street Portal viewed from Audubon Circle in May 2012
St. Marys Street station in April 2016

500px provided description: After the rain [#Nature ,#Flowers ,#Massachusetts]
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Feb 2016
KripaluHikeIcon2_20160204
Main Hall of the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Feb 2016
Om symbol, Ramakrishna Society of Providence Providence, Rhode Island, 2015
Om symbol on the Main Hall doorway, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA, 2014.  For the Kripalu Center's description of the meaning of the symbol, read Valerie Reiss's article at: https://kripalu.org/article/1510/
KripaluHikeIcon_20160204
Observation platform in the Alewife Brook Reservation in March 2020
Wetland in Alewife Brook Reservation in April 2020
Wetlands in the Alewife Brook Reservation in March 2020
Fitchburg Cutoff Path in April 2020
Fitchburg Cutoff Path near Brighton Avenue in April 2020
Wetlands in the Alewife Brook Reservation in May 2019
The Little River in the Alewife Brook Reservation in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Radcliffe Yard, Cambridge Massachusetts
Path at Radcliffe Yard of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in winter
Radcliffe Yard, Radcliffe Institute, Cambridge
Radcliffe Yard, Cambridge
First Church in Cambridge on a clear fall day.
Shot with Canon XTi - EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM @ 22 mm

1/200 sec at f/10 - ISO100 - no flash
An MBTA route 77A trolleybus laying over at Cambridge Common in March 2017
Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute