What Does It Mean to Attend a Silent Retreat?
Retreat is an opportunity to step away from our busy lives to focus on meditation in a quiet and calm environment which enables us to let go of our day-to-day concerns and instead focus inwards. It is a powerful means of supporting our experience and development of spiritual practices which is suitable for everyone for try. This retreat will follow the usual format of guided meditations with plenty of time to focus our minds and enjoy the process.
However, during this specific day retreat we will add the element of silence: that is not talking during or between meditation sessions. There are many and huge benefits to keeping silence during retreat: these include experiencing a stronger elimination of distracting thoughts, a deeper experience of the awareness of our own mind and though, and an improved experience of the meditations.
It is a wonderful experience to engage in silent retreat and we can use the peaceful time between sessions to read (please do use the books in our library situated at the top of the entrance ramp), or to contemplate the teachings we have received and watch our mind, absorbing ourselves into the lessons of the day.
Can I Not Speak at All?
During the retreat we ask that you refrain from any unnecessary speech in the centre café whilst keeping complete silence in the meditation room itself. Please feel free to use the meditation room between meditation sessions for silent reading and contemplation.
It is amazing how much we can communicate with each other just by using facial expressions, mouthing a word or pointing with our fingers, so please don’t be put off if someone communicates with you in this way.
If you have any problems or questions during the day, please do reach out to our centre volunteers who can talk with you in a separate area and who will be only too pleased to help you.
When it comes to ordering a coffee in our World Peace Café and maybe even treating yourself to a slice of homemade cake, please keep you voice as quiet as possible and refrain from any unnecessary conversation. Doing so will really help you maintain a peaceful, happy mind during the event.
Can I Bring a Packed Lunch?
Yes, by all means but please be aware that we cannot offer any refrigeration facilities or heat food for you. You can use our café area to eat your lunch.
Of course, you can go out to the many food outlets around Mutley Plain during the breaks but to gain the most from this day of silent retreat, we would encourage you to remain within the centre and enjoy this rare opportunity to forget the everyday hustle and bustle of life and immerse yourself in the experience of retreat.
