We welcome you to experience Mindfulness as a 4-hour Silent Retreat. The purpose for a silent retreat is to provide a unique space in which you can simply be with “you”; experiencing moment to moment awareness with whatever arises – sounds, scent, sensations, emotions, thoughts...
A moment of silence… is a falling into the present moment with awareness and an openness of heart that allows for all our feelings, speakable and unspeakable, reconciling and vengeful, hopeful and despairing to just be here. It is a moment of pure being. It is also a nod to something deep within ourselves that we touch only briefly and then shy away from, perhaps out of discomfort or pure unfamiliarity. It is a bearing witness. In that bearing witness, we not only bear our burden better, but we demonstrate that we are larger than it is, that we have the capacity to hold it, to honour it, and to make a context for it and for ourselves and so grow beyond it without ever forgetting. Jon Kabat Zinn, from “Coming to our Senses"
Our retreat will be a gadget free break and a silent zone. You will be asked to let go cell phones, reading, writing, communicating with eyes or body language and simply be with your Self.
I will offer guidance for the time together, inviting you to mindfulness practices, moment by moment.
I envision the retreat to unfold as follows:
© Begin with a brief sitting meditation in silence
© Reminder of being silent, guidelines on communications, self-care, availability as your guide J, letting go phones (and time pieces as best we can)
© The following Mindfulness practices will be explored throughout our time together:
o Breath awareness meditation
o Mindful movement followed by a body scan
o Walking meditation
o Guided visualization
o A moment for you to spend with YOU which can include mindful eating of your lunch.
o loving kindness meditation
There will be time towards closing our circle where we will dissolve silence... slowly and carefully and quietly. This moment will allow for debriefing and discussion and opportunity to share about your experiences if you choose.
Bring with you a yoga mat, water, and any shawls/blankets/meditation cushion you would like to have for your comfort.
This session is my offering as a ‘karma’ mindfulness moment. Donations are encouraged and will go to animal rescue. We can choose to retreat into silence— animals of the earth have no spoken voice… and yet…
Animals are mindfulness masters. They teach us about embracing the present moment and living in gratitude.
Facilitated by Linda Alberg
Cost: Complimentary to 30 Day Challengers. Donations to the Companion Animal Outreach Society will be accepted.
