About the retreat
The Samyama spiritual heart silent meditation retreat is a profound experience of silence, self-inquiry, and authentic forms of meditation. All paths ultimately lead to the same place, and that place is inside of you. It has been there all along. The only thing you need is the time, support, and inspiration to discover it. Once you do, you never lose that connection. To return to that place of peace and unconditional love, you simply need to sit quietly in stillness and remember. Ignite your meditation practice. It may bring about profound insights, and at the least, shift your present experience.
This three-day silent meditation retreat is designed to imitate a solitary cave retreat - complete silence and minimal contact with the outside world. The group setting provides the feeling of solidarity yet each individual has ample space to go deeply into their own unique experience. Silence is a luxury and the less you speak, the less your brain has to work. The more the brain slows down, the easier it is to enter into deep states of meditation.
The schedule of the day and of the entire retreat is carefully crafted to guide you slowly into deeper meditation and intimacy with your spiritual heart. The result is not only a deep and nourishing vacation from your thoughts but a practical toolbox. You will learn to use these tools to remember your most natural Self even in the most challenging day-to-day moments. The retreat sessions have a certain structure; all sessions build up in a specific direction. Therefore, full attendance in silence is highly recommended.
Six to eight hours of teachings and practices per day include:
- Guided and personal meditation practices
- Hatha yoga asana and pranayama practice
- Inspiring lectures from a wide variety of the world’s mystical and contemplative traditions
- Support of the lead teacher and supporting staff through written communication and Q&As
The day begins with meditation followed by a short break for breakfast. After breakfast will be a lecture offering context for the different techniques and philosophies being taught. The lecture is followed by a Hatha yoga practice, meditation, and then lunch. The afternoon will follow a similar schedule of meditation, discourse (may be pre-recorded), and movement. You will have an opportunity to ask questions through written notes. At the end of the third day, you will break the silence with a sharing circle. This is optional. Once the silence is broken, the retreat is officially over.
Techniques
- The self-inquiry method of Ramana Maharshi
- Practices from the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra - one of the central texts of Kashmir Shaivism
- Mindfulness practices from Zen and Tibetan Buddhism
- Walking meditation
- Contemplation of Sufi wisdom and devotional poetry
- Practices from Christian and Jewish mystical traditions
- Teachings from Advaita Vedanta, non-dual philosophies from the Indian subcontinent
Daily schedule
Day 1
Day 2-4
- 07:30 - 08:30 Meditation
- 08:30 - 09:30 Breakfast
- 09:30 - 11:00 Lecture and meditation topic
- 11:00 - 11:15 Break
- 11:15 - 13:00 Hatha yoga practice
- 13:00 - 15:30 Lunch
- 15:30 - 16:45 Meditation
- 17:00 - 18:30 Q&A + Meditation
- 18:30 - 19:00 self practice
- 19:00 Dinner
This is a sample schedule and is subject to change.
Day 5