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In today’s busy and noisy world, people crave silence, a chance to slow down, and to be alone in their thoughts. Maybe that’s why silent meditation retreats – also called Vipassana – have been growing in popularity.
While the allure of a time without distraction is easy to understand, silent retreats are actually a lot of hard work, according to the Independent. That’s because you are left with your own thoughts without any outside distractions, or escapes. That means you have to face your feelings head-on.
“Engaging in prolonged periods of silence has been one of my most profound experiences,” Dr Aimon Kopera, a trailblazing authority in exploratory medicine and author of The Exploratory Mind: Rewiring Sentience, told the Independent.
What is a Silent Retreat?
So, what exactly is a silent retreat? The term is a way to describe a type of retreat that can actually vary, according to Life Hack, an online life coaching platform. Some are religious but others are not. What they share is a combination of meditation, learning, and a degree of silence.
The purpose of silent retreats is to facilitate transformation and growth both mentally and emotionally.
“Sometimes this leads to the resurfacing of emotional upheaval, but when managed properly this can be a healing process. I’ve even observed patients with chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions deriving positive benefits from this practice,” Kopera told the Independent.
The Benefits of a Silent Retreat
The benefits that are gained by spending time in silent Vipassana meditation have been tested by time. Vipassana, is one of India’s most ancient forms of meditation, according to WebMD. The technique is usually taught in 10-day retreats.
The benefits of meditation promote both physical and mental wellness. In fact, a 2016 meta-analysis of studies, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, suggested that meditation retreats significantly impact mindfulness and acceptance, which researchers correlated to lower stress and anxiety.
According to Life Hacks, that’s because when you are at a silent retreat, you get a break from your responsibilities and stressors. Allowing your mind to settle down allows you to destress.
Silent retreats also help you gain greater clarity about yourself and the world. This could allow you to pursue your life’s goals without bogging down in self-doubt and negativity. Besides gaining control over your thoughts, silent meditation retreats can also help you develop a greater sense of self-awareness.
But even more importantly, a silent retreat can help you be at peace with yourself and that can bring you healing. Seeing the world in a new way can help you live a happier and more fulfilled life.
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