Image by tawatchai07 on Freepik
Need to get away and recharge for a bit? A silent retreat in the wilderness is an excellent way to reframe your mind and forget about the noise of the world for a while.
Every retreat is different, and so is every person who goes on one. The key to finding a silent retreat that works for you (and doesn’t feel like a chore) is to choose one that sounds like something you’d enjoy.
For example, if you aren’t into yoga, don’t go for a silent yoga retreat. If you’ve been trying to build a meditation habit, then it makes sense to choose a meditation retreat. Whichever one you choose, most of them are held in gorgeous, nature-based places, perfect for letting go of the busy world and easing your mind.
Here are the silent retreats in the wilderness that we recommend. Go on one, go on them all… Once you let go and experience the freedom in silence, you’ll want to do one every other week!
For the Yoga Lovers:
1. Sunrise Incorporation 4-Day “Finding Silence” Private Retreat (New Mexico)
This 4-day Finding Silence Retreat is a personalized experience to reconnect with your inner self through yoga, meditation, breathwork, and outdoor walks, all of which happen in the serenity of the high desert. It’s all about silence and self-discovery in being alone.
One of the best things about this retreat is that it places emphasis on alone time. You’ll enjoy a private casita and your guided walks will make you familiar enough with the area that you immerse yourself in the surrounding nature and get in the zone while enjoying solitude outdoors.
As for yoga, you’ll participate in daily kriya, kundalini, or vinyasa yoga classes, as well as daily pranayama classes. It’s suitable for all yogis, from beginners to advanced practitioners. To support your spiritual detox, you’ll get 2 sattvic meals per day and snack on fruit throughout the day, giving you a physical detox too.
The big idea behind this retreat is to teach you practices that you can integrate into your everyday life when you return to your usual day-to-day routine. If you’re a yoga lover who feels connected to the outdoors, you’ll enjoy the quiet solitude of this retreat.
For the First-Timers
2. The Art of Living “Stepping Into Silence” Retreat (North Carolina)
This company is aptly named because this beginner-friendly silent retreat is all about renewal and self-connection to help you escape the chaos of everyday life and live more mindfully.
Whatever you’re seeking from this retreat, you’ll find it if you commit to the process with the right mindset. Self-awareness, deeper focus, emotional release, inner peace, new perspectives, spiritual connection… There’s an outcome for every hope.
Taking place high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll be blissfully far away from the “real world”, giving you the physical and mental space to step away from everyday stress. Day one is a crash course on Sudarshan Kriya Breathing and other tools, so you’re fully equipped to calm your mind for the rest of the retreat.
Silence begins on day 2. Every day you’ll be nourished with hearty vegetarian meals and enjoy reflective guided meditations, “wisdom sessions”, and plenty of alone time to connect with yourself.
As a bonus, you’ll be able to maintain your connection to the people you meet on the retreat and keep learning in monthly Zoom sessions. You can also use their Art of Living Journey app to support and encourage your daily practice.
For the Meditators
3. Mindfulness Northwest “Mindfulness Meditation” Retreats (Western Washington)
Mindfulness Northwest runs various retreats in different places throughout the year, so you can align your retreat with your schedule. It’s perfect for those who want to prefer meditation to yoga, and every kind of meditator will gain something in their practice from one of these retreats.
You’ll enjoy learning about different kinds of meditation, including seated meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement, body scanning, and specialized meditation. It’s an excellent way to understand how to incorporate meditation into every aspect of your life, whether you’re sitting in an office or taking a walk.
They cater for almost everyone. If you’re unable to make one of the retreats, you can opt for an online meditation retreat, which is a unique but meaningful experience. And if you’re new to meditation and mindfulness, you might prefer a single-day retreat as an intro before you go for a multi-day program.
For the Winter Lovers
4. Hestia 7-Day “Savor Sacred Silence” Winter Retreat (Mount Shasta)
A silent retreat in nature is a beautiful experience anywhere, but there’s something special about meditating, connecting with nature, and undergoing sound healing when you’re surrounded by quiet snow.
This winter retreat is a one-of-a-kind experience, even for those who’ve done a few retreats before. Crisp winter weather, comfortable silence, and a slow, mindful pace create the perfect environment for deep reflection and inner connection.
Another exciting feature of this retreat is its location – Mount Shasta, known to be one of the most energetically potent places on the planet. The entire area is considered to be sacred land and is also known as the “root chakra of the earth”.
You’ll have the opportunity to tour (and meditate in) some of the most energetically charged areas around Mount Shasta, immerse yourself in the healing springs at Stewart Mineral Spring Baths, and finish off with a fire release ritual so you go home cleansed and feeling like new.
An “Almost Silent” Option
5. Meditation Steps “5-Day Silent Meditation” Retreat with Chanting (North Carolina)
Does a completely silent retreat sound hard? If it’s your first time or you’re uncomfortable with the idea of making no noise whatsoever, you might like this “almost silent” retreat, which is silent during downtime but does permit quiet discussion during classes and sharing time, as well as Kiirtana (mantra chanting), which is an amazing opportunity to use your voice in a different way.
This retreat is built around meditation, with the aim of “finding the bliss inside yourself.” There’s also some gentle dance, coupled with chanting, to get you in the right state of mind for meditation. Located in the Appalachian mountains, it’s a stunning place to immerse yourself in meditation.
Interestingly, kids are welcome, so this could be a wonderful way to introduce your children to meditation. Communication between children and parents is allowed, as long as it’s quiet and respectful to other guests.
Conclusion
Give yourself the gift of quiet, contemplation, and mental bliss with a silent retreat in a beautiful place. And if you’re worried about taking time off to experience this unique silent journey, don’t be – it’s worth taking the time to silence your mind, connect with your inner self, reflect, and come back mentally stronger than you were before.
Whether you’re opting for a yoga retreat, a meditation-focused program, or something different, this is a chance to train your mind in a way that’s not just restricted to your week away. These skills translate into everyday life, giving you the ideal way to relieve stress, calm your mind, and look inward whenever you need a break from the hustle of life.
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website.