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FAQs about Silent Retreat
What is a silent retreat?
Retreat designed for participants to minimize verbal communication (no talking), reduce interaction with any types of electronic devices (no mobile phone/laptop/tablet/music player) and immerse in powerful sadhana practices such as Repetition of the Divine Name (Japam) and Meditation (Dhyanam).
Why do I need to join a silent retreat instead of practicing silence at home?
In our daily routine, it's challenging to practice strict silence due to chores and other responsibilities. This retreat will allow us to be freed from those responsibilities and not worry about basic needs which then allows us to go in deep silence.
What kind of activities can I expect at the retreat?
There will be speaker-led sessions which will focus on deeper understanding of sadhana practices such as Repetition of the Divine Name (Japam) and Meditation (Dhyanam).
How long will I stay silent?
Close to 24hrs (Sat morning till Sun morning), specific time to start and end silence will be shared at the retreat.
What activities can I do during break when I am silent?
For a deeper in-ward experience during the retreat, it is recommended to let the mind and senses not do extra work. Here are a few recommendations for Do’s and Dont’s to practice good silence.
Dos:
- Take nature walk
- Observe your breath
- Witness your thoughts and feelings
- Reflect on messages shared by the speaker
Dont's
- Extensive interaction with others by sign language
- Listening to music/bhajan
- Chanting vedam
- Singing bhajan
What form of communication is recommended during silence when needed?
Use pen and paper to communicate any urgent/important items. There will be volunteers at the retreat who will not be practicing silence. Their contacts will be shared in the welcome email and retreat website, they will serve as emergency contact for your family/friends during the silent retreat.
Generally during retreat I also utilize time to catch up with Sai brothers and sisters I meet after a long time, how to accomplish that during this silent retreat?
Silence will start on Saturday morning and end on Sunday before lunch, one can utilize the time on Friday evening or post retreat to socialize. It is highly recommended to practice less talking outside the silence time window to get the best experience.
FAQs about Logistics
Who can attend this retreat?
Since this is our first time hosting a silent retreat, this retreat will be open to Young Adults (18+) and adults only. We will have a limited capacity at the venue and it will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Can I join the retreat on Saturday morning? Can I attend just one day?
Partial retreat attendance is not permitted. It is important to join the retreat fully in order to get the full experience and be able to connect the dots.
Will there be options to engage children during this retreat?
No. Since this is our first time hosting a silent retreat, we will be limiting participation to young adults (18+) and adults.
Where can I find more details about accommodation?
We will be staying at the Meadow View lodge in Macleay Conference Center, Salem, OR. More details about venue and accommodation here
I am really interested in participating in the silent retreat. Are there any scholarships available?
Yes. We do have scholarships available. Please contact region6retreat@sathyasai.us