About Silent Retreats
Silent Retreats
A silent retreat is the essential and most important practice offered by the Coopers. Continuous meditation practice for as long as seven days, or longer, in this guided format is the keystone of truly understanding teachings that can only be communicated through one's own direct experience. We offer 2-3 silent retreats each year, usually in the summer (see July 1-6, and in the winter holiday season (see future postings.)
The silence we emphasize on retreat has two important qualities: 1) it is a "friendly" silence and 2) its focus is on "inner" silence. We chant and sing together every morning. In some instruction periods, questions or comments are invited from the audience. Retreatants have opportunity to engage teachers, either one-on-one or in small groups. All this is considered part of the silence of social conversation.
But we do not engage one another on a social level. We do not have mundane conversation. We do not greet one another verbally. Why is this so important? The answer is that something happens deep within each of us when we maintain an outer silence as described. An inner silence arises after a few days. A spaciousness makes itself known and we experience an ease that is uniquely satisfying and deeply connected on some kind od soul level that is inexplicable. We begin to feel profoundly connected with others around us, even though we are not speaking. And we begin to experience an awesome connection with our surroundings, nature, life.
It is true that initially, for the first few days, the experience feels a bit strange. We are social beings. But we are also very adaptable and soon we begin to realize the extgraordinary wonder of the possibility of a moment-to-moment connection with what is happening right now--the magic and mystery of the unfolding NOW. When this happens, the silence becomes a precious gift. Indeed, on our retreats, after the third or fourth day, retreatants love the silence so much they want it to last as long as possible.
This practice has been done by tens of millions of people in many different cultures over thousands of years. It has a powerful impact on one's view of life, and for many people it is a transformative experience. It has changed the lives of thousands of students in both the East and the West.
To register, see listings and dates on this page.