Pause to be Present ™

Spring Meditation Retreat FAQ

We know that you may have many questions about attending a silent meditation retreat.  So, we have created this FAQ to answer the most frequently asked questions.  Feel free to reach out to us with any additional questions you may have at [email protected].

Silent Meditation Retreat FAQ

 

Why attend a Silent Meditation Retreat?

We live in a very noisy world. We all need some time to disconnect from all that noise and reconnect inward to all the wisdom and internal resources we have to navigate the world around us. Retreats have been the source of self-care for thousands of years. They give us time to step away from our busy, complicated lives and listen to our natural rhythms and innate wisdom. Making the decision to attend a retreat like this one, with others doing the same, is a powerful commitment to yourself, your practice, your life, and the world. 

This is a beautiful opportunity to care for yourself.  In a world where so many of us prioritize caring for others before ourselves, this is a time to reboot and reconnect inward so you can offer your best self to the world around you. This is a weekend of self-care, a time to explore what it’s like to be with yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, and your habits. It is a powerful and tremendous learning experience.  

This silent retreat is an opportunity to create a healthier relationship with your mind and body. If you are new to meditation or want to dive more deeply into your practice, this is the perfect weekend to practice meditation in a supportive environment with expert teachers to guide you. Our goal is to offer you the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of these powerful ancient practices and apply them to your modern life to boost your health and wellbeing. 

What is Noble Silence?

During this retreat, participants will be practicing Noble Silence.  Cheryl Brause and Cindy Olsen, your retreat guides, and Stephanie Falk, your retreat coordinator, will be talking and leading you through the weekend to support you the whole time.  Cheryl and Cindy will lead Dharma talks and guide you through meditations, mindful movement, and outdoor meditative experiences. 

Participants do not speak or communicate with each other during the weekend.   This is to allow you time to truly disconnect and gives you permission to simply be where you are. As an attendee of this retreat, you agree to put aside such things as cell phones, computers, email, listening to music, reading, and writing while on retreat so that you can truly experience the power of presence and being where you are. 

What if I need something or have a question – what do I do?

Participants can use “functional speech” which means if you need something you are welcome to ask for it.  We want everyone to feel comfortable throughout the weekend and will provide you with support the whole time. It is part of the practice, however, to look more closely at when we feel the need to speak and why we are speaking. We will offer full instructions on Noble Silence on Friday evening so you can enter into an interesting relationship with speech and communication and take some time off from needing to speak during the weekend. 

If I come with a friend and share a room, can we talk when we are alone in our own space?

No.  If you are coming with friends, we ask that you agree to give each other the gift of a fully silent retreat experience. At first this practice may feel unusual or challenging, but it will benefit you and the other participants, and create a non-distracting retreat for others.

 

Will I not be able to talk the whole weekend?  

We will gather on Friday evening and have dinner together before Noble Silence begins. Conversations are welcome at dinner on Friday and lunch on Sunday. Once Noble Silence begins on Friday night, Cheryl, Cindy, and Stephanie are available to answer any questions that arise and support you in any way that is needed. There are also times during the weekend where we, as a group, can ask questions, as well as opportunities to have one-on-one time with the teachers to address and questions that may arise during the retreat. Be assured that you will be guided and supported the whole time. However, your commitment to the full retreat experience and to experiencing Noble Silence is an essential element of the retreat and will be a wonderful source of insight for you. 

 

What is the schedule for the weekend? 

The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation periods, Dharma talks, guided meditations, forest walks and quiet sits in the forest.  We also offer mindful walking and yoga.  We will have opportunities during the weekend for Q & A with the teachers to support your experience.  We also offer you free time to do whatever feels restorative for you. We ask that you attend all sessions, as they provide an important foundation for the retreat and will periodically include important announcements. 

For more information about the retreat schedule, see the tentative schedule HERE.

How will I be supported throughout the weekend? 

We will send all participants more detailed information about the schedule, what to bring, and how to prepare for the weekend a few days before arrival. On Friday evening, our retreat leaders, Cheryl, Cindy and Stephanie, will offer detailed instructions and weekend schedule information as we begin our retreat. 

We have led many retreats over the years and are skilled at offering you the guidance you need to gain insight throughout the weekend. The beauty of this weekend is the schedule is done for you, all you have to do is show up. This is time for you to discover inner understanding, intimacy with your mind and body, and access to calm and ease. There is time for meditation, walks in nature, learning and contemplation, delicious meals, and mindful movement. We will guide you through each meditation and activity so that you feel supported.  

Do I have to give up my phone for the weekend?

We strongly encourage all participants to give up their phone Friday night to maximize their experience.  Most participants come very reluctant to give up their phones and leave not wanting them back!  It is an amazing thing to truly disconnect to our digital devices for a while and see all that is actually happening right in front of you! 

What if my family or work needs to reach me? 

We ask that you please take care of all of your business before you arrive so you can unplug and drop into the silence to truly enjoy your retreat experience. There is an emergency phone number that you can give your loved ones in case they need to reach you.  If they need to contact you, they can simply call that number and we will reach you immediately.  

If you have a special circumstance that requires limited connectivity, please reach out to discuss. 

What is the food like at the retreat center and do you accommodate allergies or food preferences? 

This retreat begins with dinner on Friday evening and ends with lunch on Sunday.  Saturday includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We feel incredibly fortunate to have each meal lovingly prepared for us by the cooks and staff at the Won Dharma Center. Each meal consists of nutritious, delicious, farm-to-table options.  All meals include vegetables, starches, and protein.  We can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free diets. If you have a food allergy, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.  No food is allowed in guest rooms. However, there is a guest refrigerator available in the dining hall (open at all times) and participants are welcome to keep any food that they wish to enjoy throughout the weekend there.  There are also snacks, water, coffee and tea available between meals in the dining hall.  

Where is the retreat held?  

The retreat will be held at the beautiful Won Dharma Center, which is conveniently located in a rural setting near New York City and Boston.  The Won Dharma Center is set on 426 acres in Claverack in upstate New York, overlooking the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains, and includes miles of walking and hiking trails. Surrounded by wooded foothills with a nearby brook, the retreat center is a serene natural setting for contemplation and renewal.

Directions to the Won Dharma Retreat Center can be found HERE. 

What are the accommodations at the retreat center? 

Participants can choose single, double, and quad occupancy rooms.  Every two rooms share a bathroom. There are sinks in all the rooms. The rooms are clean and very comfortable.  All rooms are located just a few steps away from the dining hall, meditation hall, and beautiful hiking trails.  More information about the accommodations can be found HERE. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].  More detailed instructions will be sent to all registrants prior to the start of the retreat. 

To register and learn more about room rates, click the link below. 

We hope you can join us for this beautiful retreat experience! 

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