A silent mindfulness retreat is a meditation space where you can discover new ways of looking at yourself and the world.

Mindfulness is cultivated on a daily basis as part of formal and informal practice.

At certain times, however, it can be deeply enriching to take a step back in your life to cultivate mindfulness meditation in greater depth. This is what a silent retreat allows you to do.

It’s an experience that allows us to explore new inner territories, and then to maintain that depth once we return to our daily lives. Going on retreat is like going on a journey, a journey that rejuvenates and opens up new perspectives.

These times of meditation are an opportunity to discover aspects of the practice that often escape us in our daily lives, due to lack of time or a suitable environment. Here are some examples:

•     Deep emotional processes are difficult to grasp in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
• Our attention, like the blade of a knife, is dulled by being used too often. A retreat is the ideal place to restore and sharpen the edge of the blade.
• Recharging ourselves with the inherent qualities of joy in being present is not always possible in the tumult of things to do.
• The link between body movement and sitting meditation is sometimes easier to see in retreats than in a short isolated weekday practice.
• Regaining our strength and taking a step back cleanses us from the inside and gives us boldness.

These retreats in silence are an opportunity to practise in groups and alone, sitting and moving, in order to approach meditation more deeply.

There is an alternation between guided moments and moments when practitioners go at their own pace. Whether the practices are moving or static, we encourage you to practise for around eight hours a day if you want the benefits to be significant.

Our facilities are accessible to people with reduced mobility and our trainers are trained to adapt the practices to each individual.

Silence is an essential element for the birth of a rapid and profound experience, which does not mean that these retreats are intended to cut us off from the world: on the contrary, the intention is to be in touch with ourselves and the world in a fuller, more attentive and rejuvenating way.

In this context, practices based on attention, the senses, compassion, the emotions and awareness seem to us to be an essential means of reinforcing each person’s daily experience.

Individual preparation

A preliminary meeting enables us to clarify the participants’ expectations. It is important to take stock of each person’s practice and potential commitment…

Understanding the importance of silence

Silence strengthens the connection with oneself, facilitates entry into the practice and the experiences of meditation. It frames the presence of the participants and connects each of them to their inner selves, allowing us to suspend for a while the importance we give to thoughts and verbal exchanges. Finally, silence does not imply closure or withdrawal, but rather an open, attentive and relaxed presence in a situation.

Participants undertake to respect silence so as not to disturb the rest of the group.

The framework of a silent retreat

We invite participants not to communicate with the outside world (telephone, internet, etc.), nor to consume alcohol, in order to encourage experiences of practice. You can, however, give our mobile phone number to families so that they can contact us in an emergency.

Participants are expected to be attentive to each other and to keep the exchange of glances and gestures to a minimum.

Reading, music and other distractions or activities are left to your discretion: are they essential to you, will they enrich your practice or not? What happens if you leave for a few days the occupations and distractions that usually seem so necessary?

Medical treatment: If you are undergoing treatment prescribed by your doctor, it is advisable to continue it for the duration of the retreat or to talk to your doctor about it. Unless otherwise advised by your doctor, yoga or qi gong practices are offered during the retreat.

Next retreat :

The next 10-day retreat will take place in France from :

    05/11/2023 18:00: Welcome (18:00) and first session (20:00)

    15/11/2023 12:00: End of the retreat at noon, followed by lunch

For details of the retreat and the full programme: Opale 10-day retreat