Yes, you read that right. The Hamptons, magnet for celebs and hot young things pursuing beach bling days and lubricated nights in the area’s various hamlets, also has a spiritual side. That’s not so weird if you think about it. After all, the first visitors to the Hamptons were originally drawn to the natural beauty of the ocean beaches, the farm fields and the breath-taking sunrises and sunsets. They looked to the Hamptons for a place to escape the intense pleasures and pressures of urban life, and to breathe in a more spiritual life experience.
The Hamptons were “discovered” anew in the early 90’s, when large houses started to replace the modest homes that had fit naturally into the environment rather than dominating it. Conversations in the Hamptons these days almost always circle around real estate – who bought/sold what and for how much – or which famous face was spotted doing what to whom. It’s kind of fun and a drag at the same time, but there is still enough of the good stuff left to keep us coming back.
When it all gets to be too much, here are some places to visit where you can restore your spirit and still have fun. Spirituality should always have a sense of enjoyment to it or else it’s, well, no fun!
The New Thought Spiritual Center, Watermill
Housed in the Watermill Community House, a beautiful old building that is in itself a spiritual experience, New Thought offers a “gathering” every Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 AM and all are welcome. You can feel your shoulders drop a few inches as you enter this 1800s building. While you will hear the G-d word from time to time, this is not a religious experience.
The program includes some songs (sung with great gusto by all attendees), a meditation, a talk on a spiritual topic and an almost evangelical delight in coming together to give thanks for the many good things in life and especially in the immediate community. It is followed by coffee and cookies/fruit which is provided gratis, but you can also scoot down the road to the Hampton’s Coffee Company for a blissful organic breakfast – a spiritual experience in itself.
Vajravarahi Buddhist Meditation, Sag Harbor
Classes at the Vajravarahi Meditation Center are offered at various times on a daily basis in a lovely meditation room at 112 Hampton Street, Sag Harbor. Run by Venerable Geshe Kelsang since 2001, classes offer a guided meditation, a talk on different aspects of meditation and Buddhist philosophy followed by a discussion and question/answer period.
On Friday evenings, there is a Sunset Garden Party following the meditation class. On Sundays, there is an outdoor meditation from 7:00-7:40 at the Channing Daughters Winery in Bridgehampton.
Meditation at The LongHouse
The LongHouse is located on Hands Creek Road in East Hampton and is a spiritual experience in and of itself with its beautiful gardens and sculptures by famous artists. Every Saturday at 8:00 AM, from June to August, Jim Owen leads a meditation session on the main lawn of this beautiful estate.
The sessions are $20 each, but special prices are available if you sign up for more than one. Bring chairs unless you like, and are able, to assume the lotus position on the verdant grass. It’s a wonderful way to get your head on straight after Friday night revelries and before more of the same on Saturday.
Tai Chi at the Library
The Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton has ongoing Tai Chi classes every Thursday at 10:15. It costs $45 for about two months of classes. The classes are led by Mary Bouchever who creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere as she leads the class through the beginner moves for tai chi.
A non-competitive mood is stressed (sic!) and especially good for those whose bodies (and minds) are not up for the more demanding forms of yoga. There is a mix of ages, but it skews towards older ladies. You can close your eyes and imagine yourself in a park in China where tai chi is widely practiced regularly and enthusiastically for its calming and healthful benefits.
I hope you get to enjoy some or all of these spiritual experiences. Just remember to BREATHE!!!!
Wow! the Hamptons looks so lovely and charming. Your article has been a great intro into a place that I know very little about. I’ll definitely be using some of these for my bucket list. 😀
I lived and worked in the Hamptons before it became snooty. Moved away just in time to New England.
I went to grad school out in the Hamptons. The trick was to leave before the summer even began and come back after all the people had all left in the fall. lol
I’m visiting New York in August and would like to do a day trip to the Hamptons. As the weather should be warm in the city, I thought a day out of the hustle & bustle would be a good idea! 😀
Hamptons are not a great day trip – and it’s very difficult to do/see a whole lot without a car. It is almost 100 miles east of NYC, so the trip takes about 2-1/2 to 3 hours depending on the train. It’s not what I consider a good day-trip destination.
My husband and I have heard great things about the Hamptons and Montauk and been wanting to visit. After reading this, we would like to head out there for a couple of days. We’d love to visit some of the vineyards and just relax. Should we stay out there for a day or two or will a day trip suffice? If we stay out there, what area/town is best? Lastly, we heard there is a ferry we can take there from Connecticut instead of drive there? Any advice on this?
Thanks!!!
A day trip is not going to give you enough time to enjoy the many different towns and what they offer – vineyards, The Parrish Art Museum, the Long House etc. Definitely worth a longer visit. There is a ferry that goes to Shelter Island and Greenport. The ferry to Connecticut leaves from further up island – Port Jefferson I believe.
Oh My God! Is it as lush it looks in the movies? ? I always see rich people in movies spending their summer in their summer houses in the Hamptons and I can’t help but to feel jealous lol
Cheers for the great information! The Hamptons sound very upscale and elegant. I would sure love to visit one day! 🙂
I was actually thinking about going to New Zealand for a wellness trip, but The Hamptons is pretty close to New York, so I might just change my mind and go to The Hamptons instead. 🙂
Love it! Some great ideas here. Thank you. I’ll definitely consider a visit. 🙂
Thanks for this, Frederica! You can’t possibly imagine how much I need a getaway like this, but don’t have the time. However, The Hamptons is very close to where I live, so I will most definitely make this trip happen! 🙂
I need to share this with my friends. We’ve been looking forward to going on a “spiritual tour” and The Hamptons seems like a good place to start. 🙂
That sounds like fun!