A week in silence may sound like a dream to anyone drained by the constant stimulation of modern life. But the reality of a silent retreat can be far from what you might imagine. Beyond the immediate ...

“I gave my watches away—ain’t got no time for that!” This mantra hummed in the back of my mind every time I craved my phone, a book, or even a pen—anything that allowed me to escape into communication ...

Of course, there wasn’t a plunger. There’s never a plunger when you need one. But there’s always an audience: in this case, three women sitting on the other side of the thin bathroom door waiting for ...

The first time I ever went on a silent meditation retreat, 11 years ago, I thought I had entered the zombie apocalypse. After arriving and having dinner with my fellow retreatants, we went into ...

Grieving a dissolved marriage, a writer seeks peace and compassion at a meditation retreat in California. Illustration by Owen Gent As I sat cross-legged on a red cushion, tears ran down my cheeks.

Silent retreats are a growing travel trend as people seek relief from stress and digital overstimulation. Studies show silent meditation can quiet mental chatter and improve emotional regulation and ...