Going Silent

For a good 20+ years since I started meditation practice, I would go to silent retreats at least once a year. I really cherish the time in silence for an extended time to go within, sometimes it was just for a weekend, sometimes for as long as a couple of weeks. While I’ve wanted to do a month or longer retreats, my life didn’t offer me such “luxury.” Indeed, it feels rather luxurious to be able to take time off my life to go meditate even for a few days when life seems to keep churning more things I “have to” do.

Last time I went to a meditation retreat was more than 3 years ago. Since then I’ve gone to a few retreats, but they were not “silent meditation” ones and rather involved more talking and processing though they were all linked to the meditation practice.

Then when we got sheltered at home two years ago, there were many opportunities to do at-home retreats offered online by many well-known and otherwise teachers all over the globe, I didn’t chose to participate in any as I found it very difficult to facilitate it for myself when I had an ailing cat at home and while being with my husband at home a lot. This has been a longest time since I started my practice without a retreat.

Meanwhile, the last two years were undeniably a turbulent time in my life, as was for many, with losses as well as progresses. I have not had a chance to really pause to digest, process and absorb all that has gone on, which I have been desperately wanting for a while now. So, as you may guess, I’m finally going to a silent retreat starting this weekend for 2 weeks! While I am a bit anxious about being able to get still after the last two full years of so much stimulus mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, I intend — yes, “intend”- to walk in there with no expectation and allow whatever to present themselves keeping my mind and heart open, staying curious…