6 Powerful Benefits Of Silent Retreats

The world is a noisy place. There’s literal noise—talking, TV, traffic. And then there are the other forms of noise that fill our daily lives with distraction, like social media, to-do lists, and nagging thoughts. Silent retreats aim to quiet all this noise, and in turn, allow you to reset, recharge, and channel your attention inward. Read on to find out how a silent retreat can benefit you in more ways than one.

What Is a Silent Retreat?

Silent retreats encourage participants to take a vow of silence for a given time. That means no talking during meditations as well as during meals, yoga, journaling, reading, and other activities. By removing distractions and verbal communication, participants can reach a deep level of solitary contemplation and personal reflection.

How a Silent Retreat May Benefit You?

You’ll benefit from a digital detox

Considering no talking is a primary tenet of silent retreats, that means parting ways with your phone. Without the constant stream of distractions in the form of impossibly long text threads and ever-changing social feeds, you may find yourself more focused and more deeply connected to your fellow practitioners—even without talking to them. The concentration and efficiency afforded by a digital detox will likely extend beyond your retreat, too.

You may find more joy and beauty in the world around you

In reality, silent retreats aren’t all that silent. But by removing many of the noises we as humans can have control over, we’re left with the calming, serene sounds of nature. And because silent retreats often take place in gorgeous, tranquil settings, you’ll be able to appreciate the picturesque scenes right in front of you.

You’ll likely become more mindful

Mindfulness, or “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens,” often goes hand-in-hand with silent retreats. Several studies back up the connection between silent meditation and mindfulness, while other research suggests mindfulness can boost immune system health, benefit people with insomnia, and improve quality of life.

You’ll be better equipped to handle the tough stuff

By turning inward through silence, you may be faced with some uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Prolonged silence can help you better process and manage negative thoughts and teach you to stop reacting to negative sensations—both during the retreat and long after.

Your brain may become more efficient

One study that compared the effects of a seven-day silent meditation retreat on the brain function of practised meditators and people who did not regularly meditate found that non-meditators had reduced activation in certain regions of the brain. They interpreted this result as increased brain efficiency. An earlier study found meditation training improves brain efficiency, probably by way of improved attention and impulse control.

You’ll be proud of yourself

It may be hard to compare running a marathon to a silent retreat, but they’re both challenging in their own ways. Devoting so much time to your own thoughts takes patience, diligence, and even bravery. At the end of your retreat, it’ll be hard not to feel proud of the work you put into your mental health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

While living your day in silence may make your brain feel anything but, you’ll likely find a silent retreat fulfilling and rewarding.

Where to go

The Indian retreats of Vana and Shreyas both offer silent retreats.