Nurturing Silent Retreat

This is a 4 day 3 night residential (or virtual) retreat

A Silent Stay meditation retreat gives you the opportunity to slow down and unplug from the noise and demands of everyday life. With guidance into heart-centered presence, surrounded by nature, your whole nervous system can rest.

Our approach emphasizes simplicity, heartfulness, and slow living. The daily program provides a gentle container for you to be able to let go of effort and practice receiving the present moment. This is about the simplicity of just Being.

The beauty of silence is that it is spacious, and universal. Our non-denominational retreats allow each person to feel and listen to what is naturally sacred within. Resting in silence, guided by the intention of receiving the gifts of quiet, we find a deep commonality and community in the Heart.

Your booking includes:

• lodging
• meals*
• program tuition

*Meals: dinner on first day, 3 meals each full day, breakfast and lunch last day. We can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions. Please describe your needs on the registration page.

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Residential Retreat participants enjoy exclusive use of the stunning 35-acre Pacifica Graduate Institute, 801 Ladera Lane, Montecito. This amazing Retreat Center was originally built for Jesuit monks that took 30 night silent retreats. This historic property lies at the foot of the Ynez Mountains. Here we can immerse ourselves in contemplative silence and stillness.

Your daily retreat program includes teachings on heart-centered silence, group meditation, silent sitting, silent meals, non-doing periods, and optional guided relaxation and gentle yoga. Take time for a silent walk along meandering paths, and rest amidst the expansive contemplative gardens.

Virtual Retreat participants

Enjoy the retreat from your home. Sessions that will be made available for VIRTUAL attendance are indicated with a *V below.

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Arrival Day

8:30 am – 2:00 pm | Arrival
3:00 pm | Room Check-In
4:00 – 5:00 pm | Opening Meditation (Sanctuary) *V
5:15 – 6:30 pm | Dinner in Silence
6:30 | Silent Sitting* (Sanctuary) *V
7:00 – 7:45 | Evening Meditation (Sanctuary) *V
8:00 – 8:30 | Guided Relaxation (optional) *V

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Each Full Day

7:15 – 8:30 am | Breakfast in Silence
8:30 am | Silent Sitting* *V
9:00 – 9:45 am | Morning Meditation *V
10:00 am | Non-doing Period*
11:00 -12:00 pm | Gentle Yoga (optional)
12:00 – 1:15 pm | Lunch in Silence
3:00-4:00 pm | Heartfulness: Cultivating Effortless Being *V
4:00 – 5:30 pm | Non-doing Period*
5:15 – 6:30 pm | Dinner in Silence
6:30 – 7:00 pm | Silent Sitting* (Sanctuary) *V
7:00-7:45 pm | Evening Meditation (Sanctuary) *V
8:00 – 8:30 | Guided Relaxation (optional) *V

Departure Day
7:15 – 8:30 am | Breakfast in Silence
8:30 am | Silent Sitting* *V
9:00 – 9:45 am | Morning Meditation *V
10:00 – 10:30 am |  Closing Circle *V
11:00 am | Check Out of Rooms
12:30-1:30 | Lunch in Silence
1:30 – 2:30 pm | Non Doing Period*
4:30 pm|  Latest Departure from property

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*Silent Sitting: before each group meditation you are invited to gather in the sanctuary for practice of sitting, resting, or even gentle stretching on yoga mats provided

*Non-doing: Non-doing is the ancient daoist practice of effortless action (wu wei). During your non-doing periods simply rest your awareness. Reflection, walking meditation, laying on the lawn, being with the present moment, contemplation, journaling, meditating, guilt free napping, being with nature, listening to silence, being present without the need for entertainment, being gentle with yourself. This is a time of non-judgement allowing you to bathe in the softness of your heart & absorb the retreat experience.

*V periods available to VIRTUAL participants as well.

We look forward to joining you in the peaceful renewal of silence.