Inward Bound - Exploring Silence, Movement, and Meditation

Know from the rivers in clefts and in crevices: those in small channels flow noisily, the great flow silent. Whatever’s not full makes noise. Whatever is full is quiet. — Buddha

We treasure this life, and yet we rarely can hear ourselves think. We are constantly being bombarded and absorbing information at a dizzying pace. In the 21st century, where stillness and silence are scarce, fast-paced living keeps us bouncing from one task to the next. What might happen if you simply sat and allowed yourself to be? What would arise in the spaces between your thoughts, your breath, and your heartbeat?

Join celebrated teacher, author, and documentary filmmaker Hawah Kasat to explore the depths of silence and solitude. Hawah will guide you with a culturally sensitive soft touch and a compassionate heart toward the bounty of silence. Participants will be guided through silent meditation practices, pranayama (breathwork), asana (movement), and dharma talks, to support the following process:

• Still the “monkey mind” through pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses.
• Experience the profound connection between physical stillness and silence.
• Sit with what comes up in the spaces between your thoughts, breath, and heartbeat.
• Explore the subtle nuances between Yogic and Buddhist meditation traditions.
• Unravel the mystery of Vipassana Meditation.

This retreat is suitable for those who have never taken a vow of silence and want to explore what it feels like to observe noble silence, as well as veteran silent retreaters who want to tune up their senses of awareness and perception. 

NOTE: For parts of this retreat, participants will be encouraged to take a vow of noble silence — so there will be no writing, reading, or talking. There will be certain hours of the day when writing will be permitted, and a Q&A will take place. Even eye contact with others will be discouraged during some time periods.

This workshop includes a $10 material fee.