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Carolyn Frost

An Unexpected Lesson from 3 Days in Silence



I'm getting ready to go on my second 3 day silent retreat at Kripalu, a yoga and retreat center in the Berkshires.

 

Read on for the valuable (and unexpected!) lesson I learned on my first one.

 

 

I N S P I R E

 

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear” - Ram Dass

 

 

✨ R E F L E C T

 

3 days of quiet has a way of teaching you a few things, including:


1 -- You will enjoy the slow down, and also be frustrated and bored with it at the same time


2 -- Next time, remember socks, a brush, and toothpaste


3 -- Don't go for a post-dinner walk alone in the woods


You have no phone (or sense of direction) and you are afraid of both bears and murderers


4 -- It is never too late to change what no longer aligns with your soul


5 -- Don't worry about all the people you thought would try to talk to you; absolutely no one will



But the one that really stands out - the one that really STUCK was this:


I get to create more opportunities for quiet in my actual real life


I don't need to leave the state and retreat into silence for a weekend. 

  


  

 T H R I V E

 

 

Here are 5 practices I've kept since this trip last year:

 


1 -- Three slow breaths with hand to heart and belly before I get out of bed


A long-held practice that starts my day with awareness and intention



2 -- Seven minutes of silence each morning

I use the timer function on Insight Timer



3 -- Leave the radio on the 'off' position in the car


Please try this.

 

I have no clue what's going on in the world of music, but I am calmer

x 1000



4 -- Not filling every second with talks, podcasts, and audiobooks


Tough one for me and I suspect for you too!


There is a time and place, but it's not all the time, every time



5 -- Music off during meals


We have more than enough noise and chaos without it--


--


These habits may seem small, but they have compounded over the past year.


They are now a powerful reminder that I am in charge of how I go through my days.


You too get to cultivate calm and peace, even in the midst of chaos.


You don't even need to leave your house to do it.

 

 

 

 R E L A T E D P O S T S

 

 

19 Truths From a 3 Day Silent Retreat: Takeaways that you can apply to your life today

 

The Universal Check-In: A simple question to check in with yourself

 

Finding Calm Amidst Chaos: Build practices that help you check in, so they are available when you actually need them

 

 

Carolyn

xo

 

 

PS ~ Join 2k+ and Follow me on LinkedIn for daily tips and inspiration to create more health, connection, and joy in your life.

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