I didn’t speak for a week……

Seven years, seven retreats, and countless hours on the cushion – this is what I’ve discovered.

Settling into silence

🐝 It takes me 2 -3 days to settle and slowly quieten down. Coming from a busy life and world and an active mind – it takes time to allow the busy-ness to settle. 

🐝 My internal chatter becomes more amplified. But I don’t need to hold on or pursue those thoughts.

🐝 Being silent and in silence for a week is not hard for me; I enjoy the simplicity of it.

🐝 Big groups are not really my happy place, and settling into this takes time too. And can trigger me during the week.

What arises

🦋 It feels wonderful to slowly settle more into stillness – where my body can down-regulate and relax.

🦋 I was surprised to feel joy arising spontaneously – without it being a reaction to something external. To know that this is naturally in us is a blessing.

🦋 One week, the entire retreat was consumed by an inner process – deep, exhausting but necessary.

🦋 My back, hips and knees don’t enjoy the extended sitting on floors or uncomfy chairs and do complain.

What remains after

🪷 To slow down feels so good and I notice the little things more. The mundane experiences become beautiful.

🪷 Even though the discomfort may be challenging – it becomes easier to be with myself and whatever appears in the moment.

🪷 Digital detox: being of the phone and internet for a week is heaven – I don’t miss it at all.

🪷 I feel calmer and clearer in myself. A feeling of spaciousness instead of tension or contraction. I can stay more with myself and am less reactive to external stimulation.

🪷 Whatever it brings – ease or difficult – it’s always worth it. 

In the end, silence isn’t about reaching a quiet mind. It’s about learning to sit with what is – simple, yet never easy.