Meditation Retreats
Shhh – why silent retreats are on the rise
Wellness is a trend that will dominate in the near future as people continue to strive to achieve that almost elusive work-life balance.
Silent retreats are becoming increasingly popular. Image by Maya Karkalicheva / Getty Images
According to the hospitality customer care platform Local MeasureQuiet retreats are the newest way travelers are embracing the wellness movement. In conjunction with meditation and mindfulness, some of the most popular destinations for those seeking quiet times are the Buddhist Retreat Center. KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with views of valleys, forests and rolling hills and where people of all religions are in search of peace and quiet, as well as Wat Suan Mokkh, Chaiya, ThailandTen-day meditation retreats are offered here in a forest monastery with a wake-up call at 4 a.m.
Peace in a forest. Image by Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images
Bruce Davis, one of the founders of Silent StayThe Vacaville, California based company believes that people in all walks of life are too busy with too much noise in their lives. “They want to unplug their devices, and most importantly, their minds, and be in a place with real tranquility without the temptation to be constantly notified via email and SMS, ”he says. A typical day during a silent stay retreat offers meditation at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The rest of the day is free for people to take walks, go swimming, take a nap, or just be. Massages and personal advice are also available.
If you’re wondering how “quiet” a quiet retreat is, Davis equates it to going to a library. “Everyone is silent and lets each other have their own time to be, to reflect and to enjoy their retreat. Silence is really about being alone. The guests like to have time for themselves and not chat. “It goes without saying that smartphones and computers are kept in the car or at home.
Scheduled meditation is only part of the day. Image by Manop Phimsit / EyeEm / Getty Images
According to Davis, first-time visitors are worried about what to do without their phone. However, you will quickly get used to the tranquility of the retreat, which is located on a mountain top with 25 hectares of farmland producing honey, peaches, lavender and apricots, surrounded by several hundred hectares of land. “I was nervous at first but then settled into a comfortable home that was my own. The silence around strangers seems natural, but you’d be surprised how much you feel the freedom to be just yourself here, ”wrote Tawny C, who stayed two nights, in her online review. The prices for the retreat start at 165 US dollars (137 euros) per night per single room, including the retreat program. The guests thank them regularly for the escape from everyday life, in which they can find peace and refuge.
“The silence in the retreat helps us find the place of inner stillness within,” says Davis. “The silence nourishes our nerves and opens doors for wellness, creativity and support to make new decisions that give us real pleasure.”