No pinging phone, no stop- start traffic or the random banging from an uncomfortably close construction site. No “Hey have you got 5 minutes?” or distracting snatches of conversation. Our world is loud- and the feeling of being cocooned by velvety silence Is as out of reach as a desert island. True silence is rare. And that scarcity makes it a Luxury item.
Whenever feeling a lot of intensity coming from all over the place- Silence is the new escape route from hustle and bustle as well as a chance to figure out how to really be at home with yourself.
We live with so much more noise now than we did twenty years ago. Noise represents distractions, expectations and pressure. No wonder it’s stressful. Silence is a deeply human need, right up there with the need to eat & sleep. Silence has become more scarce, yet our lives are so busy that the need for silence has become more explicit than ever before.
The day to day roar that surrounds us plays havoc with our physical health and mental wellbeing. The boom in air traffic means thousands of us regularly pause while a 110- decibel jet flies overhead exposure to 90- decibel sound levels for a long time can cause permanent hearing loss. Even the sea has got louder :ocean traffic has increased so much that endangered orcas are struggling to communicate with their pods over the din. It’s a situation you can probably sympathize with if you’ve found it impossible to hear friends talk over dinner in a restaurant.
While irritation may be our reflex response to little noises like the hum of air conditioning or the beep of someone else’s inbox, that exasperation can lead to behavioural problems, which affect everything from our performance at work to our relationships. Interruptions in the office are calculated to add 90 minutes to our working day.
Noise packs a physical punch too, and intermittent noises like drilling and car alarms are particularly harmful. Evidence suggests that when noise is unnaturally and excessively loud it disorientates and can lead to the ‘fight or flight’ stress response. Stress can lead to physical illness- when you’re stressed out, your heart rate increases, your blood pressure rises & your digestive system slows. That explains why repeated exposure to noise pollution can put us on a dangerous path towards high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Spending a day devoted to mindfulness is a great way to recharge your batteries and motivate yourself to keep up daily practice. The emphasis will be on exploring putting aside responsibilities for the day and focusing inwardly, stepping away from constant digital distractions, noise and stress. An opportunity to nourish yourself and return to your life refreshed with a calmness and centredness. We will be deepening understanding of the beneficial effects of practicing mindfulness.
At the Silent Day Retreat we will guide you through a day of blissful silence, meditation, mindful movement, mindful yoga, nature and food (mindful eating). It’s about more than relaxation; give yourself the space to listen deeply to your own innate wisdom, to remember what is truly important to you. We will also gently explore some of the insights from Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction to understand a little more how our mindfulness practice can convert into our daily lives.
Silent Day Retreat Schedule
10:00 - 11:30 An Introduction to Mindfulness
and Grounding Meditation
11:30 - 11:45 Tea Break
11:45 - 12: 45 Mindful Yoga Workshop
12.30 - 13:30 Silent Lunch
13.30 - 14:00 Walking Meditation in the Gardens
14:00 - 14:45 Mindful Movement
14:45 - 15:00 The Mindful Body Scan Meditation
15:00 - 15:00 Closing Meditation
We look forward to welcoming you to the warm and informal environment for supported learning at the Silent Day Retreat.
Give this day as a gift to yourself as you join Rachele Smith BSc RYT QMT, our highly experienced teacher, in this day of contemplation. Everything is ready and waiting for you so that you need do nothing, but simply be.
The next Silent Day Retreat will take place Saturday December 2nd 10am - 3pm