Shhhh. . . is the title of Ode Magazine’s July/August 2008 issue – Everything you always wanted to know about peace and quiet The Silence Issue. www.odemagazine.com Books and magazine articles toot the many benefits of silence. They write that the world is getting noisier. mystics have said the silence is where answers to our deepest questions are often found. If this is so, silence seems a very good idea. Once upon a time people hungry for quiet time found it in monasteries. Now reserving space is not always possible. There are, however, silent retreats led by innovative leaders taking place not only indoors, but outside as well – no limit there. According to some people who have been on silent retreats, silence speaks volumes to them. Nice! Not everyone knows what to do with silence though – for some it causes anxiety even though they’re seeking it. And beginning on page 69 is a neat article called “Because God Whispers” written by Tijn Touber, Ode’s senior editor. Ah, – so many reasons to find your way to this magazine.
Last year I read a very good article in Yoga+Joyful Living November/December 2007 issue www.yogaplus.org on silence called My Accidental Silent Retreat by Alexandra Starr, and in the article five silent retreat places were listed. And they are:
Insight Meditation Society, Barre, MA, 978-355-4378; www.dharma.org
Mount Madonna Center, Watsonville, CA, 408-846-4064; www.mountmadonna.org
Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, KY, 502-549-4133; www.monks.org
Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, 405-488-0164; www.spiritrock.org
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA, 866-200-5203; www.kripalu.org
Shhhh . . .