THE POWER AND THE PROMISE OF SILENCE
You're feeling stressed, tense, anxious. You put in a lot of hard work, and some sleepless nights to get where you are so you can make a difference. And yet, when you look in the mirror, are you unhappy about the stress lines etched between your eyebrows? Have you forgotten when was the last time you had a deep restful sleep, taken a day off, or taken time to nurture yourself? In just a few days you can re-connect with the inner wisdom that has propelled you so far. Give yourself time to let your body slough off the stress it's been carrying and keep it off. Give you time to catch your breath, re-organize and return to work with new drive, higher energy, better decision-making and broader perspectives. You can have all this and more, by going on a silent meditation retreat. Even without prior knowledge of meditation, you are most likely to have a profoundly moving experience.
Conscious silence has a language called 'vibration.' This unique language enhances your ability to listen within so you can come in touch with that in you, which is deep, loving, healing and wise. When you stop talking and enter into 'conscious' silence you have extended an invitation to The Source, (The Higher Self, God), to share its infinite wisdom and knowledge about you -- with you.
Since you are listening for your inner voice, all outer world distractions such as reading, radios, cell phones, hobbies, or music, are not allowed. The idea is that not only are you not talking – nothing and nobody is' talking' to you either. During a retreat, the group will experience 1 or 2 daily sessions with the leader for lecture, group prayer and meditation. Journaling, assignments in nature, or other suggestions, offers you direction for your contemplation while in silence.
Although there are no fixed guidelines for the structure or length of a silent retreat, most often it involves a group of individuals, agreeing not to talk, going away for 4 days or longer. Since nature can be a tremendous help in rebalancing both body and mind, retreats must be in quiet natural settings such as mountains, woods, or near a body of water. Hiking or walking is encouraged as are breathing exercises, journaling, and participation in guided meditation. Often bodywork such as Reiki, massage, or yoga is offered to further calm the body/mind community.
People praise silence, and feel that it has been a 'privilege' to experience it. Silence teaches you to live and work from an expanded state of consciousness. This gives you incredible creativity, clarifies your thinking, and calms both the body and mind. The next time you find yourself thinking, 'stop the world, I want to get off ', try a silent meditation retreat and prepare to enter into a place where self-knowledge can create inner miracles. Silence has good ears
About the Author
Devya, of Devya & Associates, with over 16 years of experience, passes on the healing practices of meditation in private sessions, silent meditation retreats, and Gong Energy Therapy.
www.Devya.com 
