…this email comes to you while I’m on Day 7 of a silent meditation retreat in northern New Mexico…
Six or seven years ago I attended my first silent meditation retreat. From the jump, I was hooked.
I had friends who’d done the traditional 10-day Goenka retreats and their stories made my palms sweat. No talking, no reading, no writing—just sitting quietly all day for 10 days? Hard pass.
But in 2018 a friend signed up for an eight-day retreat with a teacher I knew from the recovery world, so I decided to face the fear and go.
And I’m not kidding when I say fear. I was genuinely nervous about what would happen when I put down my phone, stopped traveling, got off calls, and sat with my own mind.
Usually you go into silence on the first night. That first year, I felt calm—not panic. My mind started to slow down. Being in a remote, beautiful place, I didn’t feel the need to distract myself with modern life.
Over the week I sat for several hours a day, did my yogi job (sweeping, dishes), practiced walking meditation, and hiked around the property—fully content just being in nature. Honestly, in awe.
My nervous system downshifted. I didn’t crave my phone, apps, sugar, TV, conversation, money—any of the stuff I think I need every day. I had everything I needed, and then some.
Now I can’t wait to go back each year. I’ve even added a couple shorter retreats so I don’t have to wait so long to go deep.
I keep a regular daily practice (15 years and counting) and it works wonders. But nothing compares to a multi-day retreat and getting quiet for longer.
No unsolicited advice this week. No hacks. Silent retreats aren’t for everyone. If you’re either terrified by the idea (like I was) or weirdly drawn to it, hit reply—I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.