A silent meditation retreat is an experience that helps you to calm and clear your mind. Of course COVID-19 came along and joining a retreat became impossible. Nestled within the stunning natural beauty of South Devon, Sharpham Trust is a renowned centre for mindfulness, meditation, and personal development. My need for complex thinking was replaced with a deep desire to reconnect with myself and the simplicity of life. Clearly, we talk a lot! This build-in moment of communication and interaction has as its goal to talk about the experiences you have during your silent period and to order and digest those, or it can simply serve to relax, and not go totally out of your mind. Then again, some silent retreats allow substantial time to communicate with each other and only have certain designated times of the day where one should be silent, study, or do exercises in silence. A day at a Gaia House silent retreat begins with an early morning wake-up bell, followed by meditation practice and a nutritious breakfast. One of the key benefits of a silent retreat is the time for meditation. To be a good communicator, you need to speak and listen. These retreats provide a unique opportunity for individuals to deepen their meditation practice, cultivate self-awareness, and experience the transformative power of silence. The day comes to a close with a final meditation session and rest. Throughout the day, participants engage in guided meditation sessions, walking meditation, and mindful movements, such as yoga or Qi Gong. Meditation and silence help you to place yourself in the present moment, which will help you to enjoy life more, as well as to make decisions based on what is happening, not on unrealistic thoughts based on what has already been or what is not yet. However, its important to know everything that happens when we confront our mind. Q1: Can beginners attend silent retreats? Q5: Can I attend a silent retreat if I have specific dietary requirements? Our fruitfulness will come from this place. Its important to note that not all silent retreats are created equal, and its important to choose one that fits your needs and interests. Silent retreats in any tradition take the energy you use for external communication and channel it inward. We must lean upon our beloved in all that we do. Join us as we explore the vast range of silent retreats available throughout the UK, from Sharphams picturesque estate to the tranquil Gaia House in Devon and beyond. In the city, we hear traffic passing by, helicopters and planes overhead and seemingly endless construction noise. Silent Meditation Retreats - How do they work? A quick search online will provide plenty of inspiration and practices you can follow during the silence. We so often miss out on the life of contemplation, one of beholding the beauty of Jesus. Boosting ResilienceThe busyness of our lives often distracts us intentionally or unintentionally from distressing thoughts and feelings. The contents of Exploring Your Mind are for informational and educational purposes only. While each person is different, and what you take away from the experience will be unique, some life-changing benefits can occur. by Laila Narsi | Mar 1, 2022 | Mindfulness Finding our inner calm and peace can be difficult in a world full of noisy distractions. You will have a sign up sheet available to book a time that suits you. Basically, a silent retreat is an event where you go and spend some time away from your daily life and personal responsibilities, and engage in a combination of meditation and learning. From time to time you will begin to touch the state of inward silence. How a Silent Retreat May Benefit You? What are the benefits of a silent retreat? - Quora Since it was my third retreat, I already had some experience. There are several types of silent retreats, each with its unique focus and approach. We're protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. However, for many people, doing such a long silent retreat can be exhausting. On the outside, you think they dont affect you that much. Spiritual retreats allow one to explore and deepen ones spiritual beliefs and practices. This may involve, for instance, Buddhist Vipassana, Tantra, Taoist, or Christian methods and techniques, which additionally can include mantras, meditation, study, exercises, bodywork, and/or prayers, etc. Silent Retreat | Light Stays Retreats | Benefits | FAQs | Best Places The amount of noise in our lives. It takes about 24 hours of silence for your mind to settle and for the thoughts to grow quieter, but once they do, you will know a peace of mind like never before. With face turned to heaven, and hands and eyes lifted to God, in complete surrender and with the warmest of devotion, he prayed, saying: My god, my All These words he groaned out to God, with copious tears again and again with solemn devotion until dawn: My God, my All and no more. We should do this regularly for shorter times, and occasionally for longer retreats. The Benefits of Silence. Benefits of a Silent Retreat. They interpreted this result as increased brain efficiency. call me back. Private meetings are available with Liz during the retreat. spiritual growth. We dont tolerate thinking about what causes us pain. Welcome to elephant's ecosystem. Christian Retreats in the UK The Complete Guide, 10 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in the UK 2023: Shamanic Healing with Plant Medicine, 10 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in Europe 2023 | Plant Medicine, Monastery Retreats in the UK: Top 16 Christian & Buddhist Retreats. You may bring a question you would like to share, or you may come just to be together in silence and see what comes up. Best Silent Retreats In The UK | Guide To 2023 | Meditation Taking a vow of silence in a silent yoga retreat helps you to develop a better listening ear. Founded in 1983, Gaia House has become a leading centre for mindfulness and meditation practice in Europe, attracting individuals seeking spiritual growth, personal transformation, and inner tranquillity. Private - Cabin for one person, not sharing with others. A two-hour meditation session, breakfast, and additional meditation sessions throughout the day follow this. In our day to day lives, we avoid our most uncomfortable thoughts. But its also not healthy nor sane to get carried away by the insane and extremely materialistic vortex of the valley phase. Silent retreats at Sharpham Trust are carefully crafted to create a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages inner reflection and growth. Participating in a silent retreat allows us to take the time and make space to hear our own thoughts, gain clarity and understanding, and deepen our relationships with ourselves and others. {Partner}. I was secretly hoping that while doing this retreat, Id be able to unlock my creative thinking and come up with my next big idea. Eventually, we all get to a point where we need to take a break and theres no better solution than a silent retreat. Staying focused during long meditation sessions can be challenging. Were used to a certain routine and going from one place to the next. We walked into this retreat home and to our amazement, it was filled with worship music and Bible verses on every wall; "Be Still and Know that I am God," "The Lord is Our Refuge" and many more were everywhere. They erupt like lava, completely out of control. We can accept and work through our discomfort. These retreats typically range from weekend programmes to extended stays, allowing participants to immerse themselves in meditation while observing silence. The 5 or 7 night options satisfy the MBSR facilitator training requirement for attending a silent retreat. Laila Narsi, LCSW, CMMT, CMT-P, is the Retreat Coordinator for the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC) and Co-Coordinator for the CMSC Circles of Practice Public Offering as well as a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. By removing distractions and verbal communication, participants can reach a deep level of solitary contemplation and personal reflection. It sounds a bit bleak when you put it that way, so let me explain it better. During the retreat, participants observe silence, allowing them to delve deeply into their meditation practice and cultivate a profound connection with their inner selves. Play for free. A3: Absolutely. Then you can Heart an article, boosting its "Ecosystem" score & helping your favorite author to get paid. The mountains were majestic in stature, and when the rain stopped, we were able to drive to the very heights and see life with a mountaintop view of God's handiwork. We also offer our Silent Meditation Retreat in July, September and November. Its also important to know thatif you do a silent retreat, you may feel anxious for a few days. Here are some of them: "He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself - (Luke 10:27). The Indian retreats of Vana and Shreyas both offer silent retreats. The Silent Retreat | Everything You Need To Know Before Your - yogajala Learn more. The positive effects of silent retreats are all about your personal transformation, where you can not only gain clarity about your life and what matters to you, but also make a difference in nearly every aspect of your life. Copyright The opportunity to focus on our own thoughts, emotions, and needs without the distractions of our daily lives can provide a launchpad for achieving our personal development goals. Yoga retreats combine silent meditation with physical yoga practice. In addition to meditation sessions, participants may reflect, contemplate, or enjoy the islands natural beauty. Some retreats also include foraging and other nature connection activities. Your clearer mind and brand-new sense of grounding will make you more able to take on anything life throws your way. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a silent meal; the concept was to meet with random people at someones house and have dinner without talking for the first hournot the place to go if were looking to pitch a business idea! What you need, what we all need, is silence. Going on a silent meditation retreat offers individuals an opportunity to reflect and heal . Spend time reflecting on your intentions, familiarising yourself with the retreat centres guidelines, and cultivating an open and receptive mindset. All rights reserved. They will give you instructions to help you. A silent meditation retreat is an experience that helps you to calm and clear your mind. The guidelines for communication vary from event to event. Do you wonder what the heck you do on a silent retreat isnt it boring? Articles and opinions on happiness, fear and other aspects of human psychology. 2012 2023 . Whether youre a seasoned meditator or new to the practice, a silent retreat can help you move into silence, unwind, and connect to your deepest self. It may last several hours or up to several months. Most of us are not skilled in beholding God. Silent retreats may take a day, a weekend, weeks, or longer, and the core characteristic of those retreats is that you stay silent during (parts of) the event, that is, that you dont communicate and interact with others. This is where we take the time to commune with God heart-to-heart and spirit-to-spirit. This information will make you feel more comfortable and confident. When I normally take me time, I love to explore ideas, think about the future, and question possible outcomes. The day concludes with a final meditation session and rest. One of the most apt, and most beautiful, descriptions of the essence of contemplation that I have heard comes from a simple farmer: Think of the wonderful description given by that unlettered farm laborer at Ars who used to remain for hours in stillness and silence gazing at the tabernacle and when the Cure dArs asked him what he did there, simply replied: I LOOK AT HIM, AND HE LOOKS AT ME. Silent retreats offer a unique opportunity to nourish your wellbeing through meditation practices, guided meditations, and mindfulness programmes in serene retreat centres. 5 Powerful Benefits of Silent Meditation. 5 Silent Yoga Retreats to Try and What You Might Discover When we think were ready, we go down into the valley to deal with daily life and see how far weve evolved. What is a Silent Retreat? - Healthy Spirituality However, its best to achieve a balance. The Benefits of Silent Retreats - The Mindful Self It serves as a means to channel and focus your energy inwards to your more genuine, undiscovered, and/or disturbing beliefs, thoughts and emotions, to subsequently work with those and digest or transform them. Evenings often include a group gathering, where experienced teachers share insights and guidance on meditation and mindfulness. In silence, you can observe your thoughts and emotions without the distractions of everyday life. Learn more or sign up for an upcoming CMSC retreat here. There are different kinds of meditation that offer different benefits. This is when the journey of self-enquiry truly begins. The biggest realization I had through the prolonged periods of silence was that every impression in my mind was purely instinctive and out of my control. This silent retreat provides the setting to return to yourself. The Colorado retreat reinforced deeply to me the importance of beholding God in silent meditation. Sometimes five minutes of silence is enough to recover your calm, balance, and peace. Among the various programmes, the silent retreats at Gaia House provide a unique and immersive experience, fostering self-awareness, mental clarity, and inner peace. . 8. Isnt it difficult to be quiet? Rich in history and natural beauty, the island has been a place of spiritual practice for over a thousand years. When packing for a silent retreat, you must bring comfortable clothing, suitable footwear, and any personal items you may require, such as prescription medication, toiletries, or a journal for reflection. Q2: How long do silent retreats typically last? Participants can expect to gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs and develop a greater sense of inner peace and resilience. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation and well-being. Without distractions of communication, you can focus on your own thoughts, become more self-aware and grow a little more, developing equanimity with all the background noise of the environment, other people, and become more mindful of physical sensations. Emotions no longer overpower us; we begin to meet and befriend our feelings, and in the process, come to better understand ourselves. Devoting so much time to your own thoughts takes patience, diligence, and even bravery. We can notice our thoughts and process them in a constructive way. When these distractions are removed, we might feel extremely uncomfortable as they are poles for our attention. www.intercessorsarise.org, 10 Classic Hymns You Might Remember and Why They're Important. As we enter into the end of the age, we must be quiet before God, find Him as our refuge, and rise up to the heights and see life from His viewpoint. Hence, a retreat consists of temporarily withdrawing yourself from whatever causes discomfort. The purpose of the silence is two-fold. 1. Most retreats tend to follow this formatI felt it worked best for me, too. Learn how your comment data is processed. Debbie Przybylski When you heart, comment or share, the article's "Ecosystem" score goes uphelping it to be seen by more readers & helping the author to get paid. If you are booking for just yourself, depending on the retreat, we will match you with other guests of the same gender.