All posts tagged: Silent Retreat

On Silent Group Meditation Retreats: 10 things I’ve learned along the way

Published by dmcblog

by Janet Solyntjes In 1987 I participated in my first silent group meditation retreat. It was a month-long program held at what is now called Drala Mountain Center (DMC). A few friends suggested that it was the next thing for me to do on my meditative journey. For me, going on retreat was an abstract concept, a box to check off on my way to something more important. Perhaps I had fallen under the spell of spiritual materialism – seeking higher states, an idealized state of peace, and wanting some form of credential from engaging in what seemed like a very long time to spend doing nothing. Would a month of intensive practice make me a “better” spiritual person? In the days before the retreat began, I sensed my fear and anxiety about participating in the rigors of long disciplined days over a four-week period. I wasn’t sure what triggered the fear, but didn’t worry much about it. The arrival day came and I got into my car to head up the mountain to DMC …

The Gift of Silent Retreat

Published by dmcblog

by Jon Aaron The silence amidst the noise the gem at the core of every experience is polished by simple attention into shining magnificence -Nirmala “words do not come” I remember my very first experience on an 8-day retreat. I had no idea what to expect. I had been meditating for a year or so and decided it was time to try a retreat. The challenges in the first few days felt insurmountable. I wanted to jump out of my skin. By the end, I never wanted to leave! Each time I was ready to give up, something was said by one of the teachers which gave such encouragement and confidence that my thoughts of leaving vanished. This was helped by the support of everyone else as we practiced together in community. It’s hard to describe what happened. Suffice to say it changed my life forever. Retreat practice is such a unique opportunity, and these days in-person retreats are even more special. With vaccines, ease of testing and a communal commitment to keeping each other safe, we can …

Freedom within the Dimensions of Silent Retreat Practice

Published by dmcblog

by Janet Solyntjes // Do you associate the practice of mindfulness meditation with freedom? How is freedom discovered within the form of a meditation retreat? This article is intended to offer a framework in which to view silent retreat practice as a path to freedom. The Gateway to Retreat: Motivation and Preparation The gateway to retreat is acknowledging your personal motivation for retreat practice. Motivation is often based in a longing of the heart and a curiosity of the mind. The following questions might spark a knowing of your personal motivation: Are you seeking to bring a renewed inspiration into your life and relationships? Do you long for a deeper appreciation for your mindfulness meditation practice? Are you curious if hours of formal mindfulness and awareness practice will positively influence your sense of being human? Having touched into the spark of personal motivation you will need to follow with some preparation. The most important preparation involves cultivating an inner resolve to abandon any hope of fruition. Really. Let go of hope regarding the outcomes of retreat. Let go of fear, too. Simply attend to the three dimensions of retreat, as best you can. The Outer Dimension of Retreat: Environment Over thousands of years and across the globe, women and men have sought places of seclusion and quietude for engaging in deep contemplation and meditation. What did their places of refuge look like? Picture Henry David Thoreau spending time along the shores of …

On Silent Group Meditation Retreats: 10 Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

Published by dmcblog

By Janet Solyntjes // In 1987 I participated in my first silent group meditation retreat. It was a month-long program held at what is now called Shambhala Mountain Center (SMC). A few friends suggested that it was the next thing for me to do on my meditative journey. For me, going on retreat was an abstract concept, a box to check off on my way to something more important. Perhaps I had fallen under the spell of spiritual materialism – seeking higher states, an idealized state of peace, and wanting some form of credential from engaging in what seemed like a very long time to spend doing nothing. Would a month of intensive practice make me a “better” spiritual person? In the days before the retreat began, I sensed my fear and anxiety about participating in the rigors of long disciplined days over a four-week period. I wasn’t sure what triggered the fear, but didn’t worry much about it. The arrival day came and I got into my car to head up the mountain …