Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the rules on a silent retreat?
Silent retreats ask for mouna: no speaking, no phone, no reading or writing beyond retreat notes, and no eye contact in shared spaces, with brief written notes to staff for practical needs. Teacher talks are the usual exception. Three nights is the shortest common format.
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How is a silent retreat different from a vipassana retreat?
Silent retreats are defined by the silence and can hold any practice within it, while vipassana retreats teach one specific Buddhist technique, anapana followed by systematic body scanning, on a fixed ten-day timetable. Silent formats run three to ten nights and vary by centre.
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Is a silent retreat hard for a first-timer?
The first two days are the hardest part of a silent retreat, when restlessness and boredom peak; most guests describe day three onward as steadier, with sleep and appetite settling. Starting with three nights is sensible. Ten days without prior practice is not.