“Silence Is golden” and “the sound of silence” — lines from songs during my high school and college years that always touched something deeply within me. This was long before I knew about the incredible inner healing power of "silence." However, those phrases have stayed with me.
So, when I was introduced to the concept of silent retreats, my body, mind, and spirit vibrated with a resounding YES! I couldn’t think of anything more delicious! Count me in!
Deep Internal Quietude
This first foray into silence occurred at a rural Oklahoma farm. Even though it was a group retreat, I easily settled into the stillness. My nervous system, often on high alert, enjoyed a much needed vacation that weekend. I took a more expanded sense of self back to the roles I played in my daily life. (For more about our roles, see my blog: What Roles Have You Played?)
After this initial deep connection to my inner self, I committed to monthly silence as a part of my life. These occasional days were like taking a long deep breath; a pause in the mind's busyness -- the thoughts, fears, beliefs, judgments.
During the pauses, I began to grow better acquainted with the “me” buried under the layers of social conditioning. The Vedic teachings call the coverings of our true self koshas. I discovered what it meant to be more than a physical body and an overworked mind. I started to tune into the guidance my soul longed for me to hear.
My one day retreats grew into five days of silence under the guidance of Chopra Center teachers at Silent Awakenings. Five days of silence, A.M. and P.M. yoga, four daily meditations nourished by Ayurvedic meals in silence definitely opened the door to a place I had never been before – a state of deep internal quietude.
Inspiration for Retreat
When I first arrived in the rural mountain town of Crestone, the silence that suffused the days and nights under the watchful gaze of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains filled me with that same inner peace. No squealing car tires or honking horns; no train whistles disturbing the early morning quiet. Only the pure essence of the birds singing, the music of the roaring creeks, and occasional coyotes howling -- primordial sounds that fosters am inward call.
Out here under the watchful presence of the 14,000 foot Crestone Peaks, rest and rejuvenation naturally occurs. The San Luis Valley spreads expansively to the West while the mountains tower to the East. No street lights to penetrate the dark skies. So heavenly! And so many stars!
What Could You Do with a Few Days of Solitude?
I’ve been inspired by my love for silence to offer such a refuge to others – to create a space for others to connect with the truth of who they are, supported by the silence of the natural world here. I am offering silent retreat packages for those who are drawn to go inward so that they can make the space to listen to the longing of their soul.
Each retreat package is individually customized just for you. It could involve:
A Primordial Sound Meditation mantra or specifically designed iRest Yoga Nidra Meditations so that you deepen the experience while you're in retreat and take some of the silence back home with you
If Yoga is your thing, the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga is an option to embody the spiritual wisdom of the ages
Hatha Yoga for a specific mind, body or spirit issue, or Kundalini Yoga, Meditation and Pranayam so that you can experience healing from the inside out
A deep dive into Ayurveda so that your self-awareness and inner healing grows through this holistic, preventative, and individualized healthcare system
An exploration into missing childhood development so that you build awareness of the wounding that created beliefs that are still driving your adult life today
Then maybe you just prefer a safe haven so that you can comfortably remove yourself from your busy world for a few days. In that case, you can relax on your own in the sacred space of The Raven’s Nest!
If this sounds appealing to you, I’d love to offer you a complimentary Clarity Conversation. Together we will explore the number one thing that will create a shift for you at this time and then map out how a supported silent retreat could support you in creating that. With this call there is no obligation to sign up for a retreat; just reply to this email, and I will reach out for a way to connect.
Or what would you do with a few days of solitude? Or even a few hours? I'd love to know!
Namaste ~
Dian
P. S. Should you decide to retreat in Crestone, you will be in good company. Pema Chodron describes why she often retreats in silence in Crestone during the first few minutes of this video: Pema Chodren on Solitude.