Silent Mindfulness Retreat

Inspired by the work of Jon Kabat Zinn, we will explore the tools of mindfulness and well-being to be able to face the demands and challenges of our lives. Among the practices: body scan, sitting and walking meditation, mindfulness yoga, Qigong exercises and a period of silence during several days.

This retreat will help us integrate mindfulness in our everyday life and help us to access our internal resources, in order to better handle our stress.

This retreat is open to practitioners of MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction), as well as everyone interested in the practice of mindfulness/awareness. While open to all students who are willing to undergo the discipline of silent retreat, this retreat is intended for mindfulness teachers or aspiring teachers and fulfills one of the retreat prerequisites for attending the Oasis Institute for Mindfulness-Based Professional Education and Training.

This 7-day intensive retreat is also recommended for all who are practicing or teaching MBSR and those who intend to do so in the future. 

For those who are new to meditation practice, please be aware that practicing for a week in silence can be an intensive and challenging – as well as a highly rewarding – experience. To guide the way, you will receive instruction and support from highly trained and experienced teachers and meditation instructors.

Background

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a programme of practical, scientifically-supported teachings to reduce stress, facilitate relaxation, and promote physical health and emotional well-being. Inspired by the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn, this retreat offers tools for engaging the demands of our lives, including illness, chronic pain, personal crisis, or the ongoing challenges of a “full catastrophe”. By relating directly with our bodies, emotions and our hearts, we will discover the power of mindfulness to change our lives. Through sitting, walking, and body scan meditation practices – as well as mindful yoga – we will return to our lives better equipped to manage daily or extraordinary stress situations.

Attendance: Participants must attend all practice sessions

Attitudes

• Non-judging
• Patience
• Beginner’s mind
• Trust
• Non-striving
• Acceptance
• Letting go

 Expectations

• Self-care
• Confidentiality
• Listening and participating
• Silence
• Non-disruptive
• Genuine effort
• Not leaving during stretching and meditation
• No food or drink (except water) in meditation room