Sharing Silence: Still Water Practice Retreat

In her poem "Presence" Gunilla Norris notes:

Sharing silence with others is a profound act of trust,
love, and courtesy. It is a mutual gift, a necessity,
a helping hand, a path, and a discipline.

Through silence our days are illumined—like rooms
filled with light—so we may inhabit our lives.

The Still Water Sharing Silence Retreat offers us the possibility of calming our minds and looking inward at the energies flowing through us. We give ourselves time for spiritual work: the integration of our minds, bodies, and spirits. The nurturing environment includes a supportive community of fellow practitioners, and the quiet grounds of the Sanctuary Retreat Center, nestled in Montgomery County's agricultural preserve.

The retreat will be led by Mitchell Ratner, the Senior Teacher of the Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center, and by other experienced members of the Still Water community.

Retreat Schedule We will gather on Friday evening for a silent pot-luck dinner and a sitting.

Saturday morning, after breakfast, we will break the silence for introductions and a short talk on practices for developing our mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

The rest of Saturday, and early Sunday, will be periods of guided and self-guided formal sitting meditation, group walking meditation, eating meditation, and time for mindful walks, naps, or exercise.

Late morning on Sunday we will come out of our silence and share together our experiences, challenges, and insights. The retreat will end after lunch on Sunday, about 1:30 p.m. Location and Responsibilities: The retreat will be held at the Sanctuary Retreat Center in Beallsville, Maryland (about 33 miles from downtown Silver Spring).

The community will share responsibilities for the three meals on Saturday and the two meals on Sunday. Each participant will be assigned to a meal team and will contribute to the purchasing and silent preparation of one meal.

Payment The Still Water MPC has established a sliding scale for our retreats so that all may attend:

Everyone will be staying in the spacious and comfortable rooms of the Sanctuary Retreat Center. The suggested donation for the weekend is $210 per person; the benefactor donation is $270 per person; and the limited income donation is $160 per person.

You are welcome to contribute any amount between the limited-income contribution and the benefactor contribution (or more if you wish), in accord with the urgings of your heart and your means and circumstances. If contributing at even the limited-income level would be a hardship, please let us know and we will endeavor to make other arrangements with you.

NOTE: The accommodations and expenses cost is $160 per person. All contributions above this amounts are considered to be voluntary, tax-deductible contributions.

Cancellation policy: If the registrant cancels 8 days or more before an event, the entire amount will be refunded. If the registrant cancels 7 days or fewer before the event, 75% of the amount paid will be refunded.

Register now

Questions? Please contact the Retreat Registrar, Gary Stone, at garold.stone "at" gmail.com or 301-509-0983.