4 Day Silence Retreat in Bali, Indonesia

Shine a light on your inner self

Their practice of meditation and its intention goes beyond relaxation. Observing your inner thought patterns can teach greater stress tolerance and emotional balance that lasts long after the retreat is over. True stillness removes the pressure of outside influences, allowing you to examine what really brings joy and meaning to your life.

This retreat is an opportunity to seek out stillness (and silence) and learn some beautiful meditation and mindfulness tools. They’ll guide you through meditations, talk about what meditation can actually be (it’s not just about being seated and drawing within!) including walking meditation, mindfulness activities and through yoga and nature connection.

Prepare yourself for the silence retreat in Bali

Before you start any other preparation for Journey into Stillness, it’s time to set your mind right.

1. Stop worrying

Relax. The retreat might be challenging, but it’s not completely unbearable. You don’t need to worry too much about it.

2. Commit:

Check the course dates of your meditation retreat and set a tentative date when you’d like to participate. Having a clear deadline will keep you motivated when you’re preparing for a silence retreat.

Practicing the basics of meditation can make your retreat much easier. That’s why the next tips deal with different aspects of meditation.

3. Learn the meditation techniques that you will follow during the course

For the first day, you follow your breath. Later you will switch to a body scan technique. If you have the chance, get familiar with both of these techniques before your first silent meditation retreat.

During the breathing exercise, you focus your attention on your nose and the area above your upper lip. Any meditation experience will help you with your course, but to make things easier, you might want to try the technique that you will be practicing during the retreat.

4. Practice sitting meditation

The daily schedule of the silence retreat includes 6 hours of group meditation. The meditation sessions usually last between 60-90 minutes. It’s very beneficial to get used to longer meditation sittings. Start with shorter meditation sessions (10-20 minutes) and lengthen your practice until you can sit for 30-60 minutes.

If you’re afraid that the pain might might be too intense, you don’t need to worry. You are allowed to move on most of the meditation sessions of the retreat. You can also sit on any position you want and use extra cushions and pillows to help you out. And if you absolutely can’t sit on the cushions, you can request a chair to sit on.

5. Learn not to blame yourself

This might be the most important advice for a silent retreat. If your mind wanders during the meditation, just gently bring it back. Don’t compare your meditation to others and think that you’re inferior. You are good enough at your current level.

Observing your mind in a non-judgmental way is one of the key concepts of nearly all meditation techniques. Still, many people have a hard time during their retreat because they kept blaming themselves. You can’t completely stop your self-blame, but just a little gentleness can go a long way.

Final preparations:

When you have just a few weeks left before your retreat, it’s time to begin the final retreat preparations:

6. Get clothes and accessories

Life on the retreat is very simple, so your packing list doesn’t need to be very long. Besides clothes and basic hygiene products, there’s little else you need to bring.

7. Prepare for digital detox

You don’t want to spend your 4 days of silence thinking what you should be doing in the outside world. Try to finish any necessary errands and make sure you won’t be needed during the course. Let other people know that you’re out of reach for a while. You want to leave as few things as possible hanging.

Don’t leave your arrangements for the last minute: start going through your to-do list a few weeks before the start of the course. Keep your calendar almost empty for the last 1-2 days before the retreat, so you have a chance to relax before the course. You may also need the extra time for any surprise tasks and the retreat preparations that might arise.

8. Go to sleep earlier

The wake-up gong of the silence retreat rings at 6:15 am. Don’t worry too much about it – you’ll probably adjust to the schedule in a few days. But if you want to make your first days of the retreat easier, make sure you don’t go to sleep and wake up too late on the last days before the course.

How a couple of days of meditation and silence can change you?

Map your mental landscape and tap into your inner thoughts, emotions, memories and ideas.

Calms the nervous system, builds immunity, promotes sleep and reduces blood pressure (physical health).

Softens the attitude, restores appreciation, creates mental clarity, develops contentment and opens creativity (mental health).

Dissolves fear, heals stress, develops compassion and builds better relationships (emotional health).

Experience of oneness, gain higher perspective, make better life choices, feel free, inner wisdom is readily available (spiritual health).

How the silent meditation retreat works

This silent meditation retreat is offered every two months. It includes workshops, vegetarian meals and multiple accommodation options in the Yogi's Garden Bali Retreat Center.

This is a silent retreat which means they encourage you to experience introspection. Of course, if you need to speak to your facilitator or chef please do. Note: with any new challenge or experience there can be triggering moments so please take steps to always be kind to yourself.

For you to get the most from this experience, this retreat is strictly technology-free. For your peace of mind you will be able to provide loved ones with a contact phone number should they need to get in touch with you. Your phone and devices are to be handed in for safe keeping upon check-in.

Chairs are provided for those unable to sit comfortably on the floor because of age or a physical problem.

Pregnant women may attend, and many women come specifically during pregnancy to take advantage of the opportunity to work deeply and in silence during this special time. Pregnant women are asked to ensure they are confident that their pregnancy is stable before applying. They will be provided the extra food needed and are asked to work in a relaxed way.

Why is a course conducted in silence?

All students attending the course observe "noble silence" — that is, silence of body, speech and mind. They agree to refrain from communicating with their co-meditators. However, students are free to contact the teacher and staff about their material needs. Silence is observed from the first meditation sitting on the day of the arrival. On the last morning, speech is resumed as a way of re-establishing the normal pattern of daily life. Continuity of practice is the secret of success in this course; silence is an essential component in maintaining this continuity.

How can I be sure I am capable of doing the meditation?

For a person in reasonable physical and mental health who is genuinely interested and willing to make a sincere effort, meditation (including "noble silence") is not difficult. If you are able to follow the instructions patiently and diligently, you can be sure of tangible results. Though it may appear daunting, the day's schedule is neither too severe nor too relaxed. Moreover, the presence of other students practicing conscientiously in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere lends tremendous support to one's efforts.

Is there anyone who should not participate in a course?

Someone who is physically not capable of following the schedule may not be able to participate in a course. The same is true of someone experiencing serious mental health issues or emotional upheaval. In such cases, the teachers will decide through the application process whether now is the right time for someone to join a course.

Can a silent meditation retreat cure physical or mental diseases?

Many diseases are caused by inner agitation. If the agitation is removed, the disease may be alleviated or disappear. But learning meditation with the aim of curing a disease is a mistake that never works. People who try to do this waste their time because they are focusing on the wrong goal. They may even harm themselves. They will neither understand the meditation properly nor succeed in getting rid of the disease.

The purpose of meditation is not to cure diseases. Someone who really practices meditation learns to be happy and balanced in all circumstances. But a person with a history of severe depression may not be able to apply the technique properly and may not get the desired results. The best thing for such a person is to work with a health professional. The teachers are meditation experts, not psychotherapists.

Daily schedule

Everything on the program is optional. You’re welcome to do as much or as little as you like. All activities and meals take place at the yogis garden.

Arrival day 1

• 14:00 Check-in and welcome drink
• 16:00 Opening circle and meditation; start the silence
• 18:00 Farm to table buffet
• 19:00 Meditation and deep relaxation practice
• 21:00 Total silence and sleep time

Day 2

• 7:00 Seated meditation
• 8:00 Tea and snacks
• 8:30 Yoga session - Conscious movement
• 10:00 Farm to table buffet
• 11:00 Sensory and nature meditation
• 14:00 Tea and snacks
• 15:00 Reflection and introspection - Guided journaling
• 16:30 Yoga session - Conscious movement
• 18:00 Farm to table buffet
• 19:00 Seated meditation
• 21:00 Total silence and sleep time

Day 3

• 7:00 Guided silent nature walk
• 8:00 Tea and snacks
• 8:30 Yoga session - Conscious movement
• 10:00 Farm to table buffet
• 11:00 Reflection and introspection - Guided journaling
• 14:00 Tea and snacks
• 15:00 Yoga Nidra session
• 16:30 Yoga session - Conscious movement
• 18:00 Farm to table buffet
• 19:00 Deep concentration guided meditation - Tratak
• 21:00 Total silence and sleep time

Day 4, final morning

• 7:00 Seated meditation
• 8:00 Tea and snacks
• 8:30 Yoga session - Conscious movements
• 9:30 Love and kindness - Meta meditation
• Finish the silence
• 10:00 Farm to table buffet
• 10:45 Sharing from the heart; complete your journey with a closing circle!
• 12:00 Check out

This retreat is strictly a tech-free offering. You'll be asked to hand in all devices for safekeeping.

May you all experience this ultimate truth. May all people be free from misery. May they enjoy real peace, real harmony, real happiness.

May all beings be happy.