Founded by Toni Packer in 1981, Springwater Center is located in the Finger Lakes region of the upper state, an hour south of Rochester.

[1] Springwater Center is a 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m2) building located on 200 acres of land that includes rolling hills, a rushing stream, miles of hiking trails, hardwood forests, and a pond.

Springwater Center is a (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization, and retreats, membership dues, and donations are tax-deductible.

This approach contrasts the hierarchical and solitary retreat form, whereby the participant only interacts with a designated authority.

[5] Meditative inquiry is a common term heard at Springwater Center during silent retreats.