SILENCE on RETREAT

One of the criticism that those of us who live at St Beuno's have about the BBC2 Programme, "The Big Silence" is that rather too much emphasis is placed on silence, particularly in the difficulty or even impossibility of not talking. We feel that silence on retreat isn't an end in itself, merely a means to help us centre on what is deepest within.

As Christians we believe that God speaks to the heart of each individual. But we probably won't hear God's 'still small voice' if we fill our days with the noise of TVs, Computers, phones, work and busy-ness of all kinds. We can try to fill the emptyness within by the busyness without.

Therefore we encourage those on retreat to leave e-mails behind for a week, to switch off the mobile phone, to take time away from the TV and chatting. It is surprising that after a week away you will realise that you have missed very little; the world is just the same as it was last week. But the silence gives you time to change and be different.

You needn't worry in the silence that you will miss anything really important: let your nearest and dearest know where you are and give them our contact number and if there is a real emergency you will be contacted.

Most retreats at St Beuno's are conducted in a prayerful silence both during the day and usually at meal times when some quiet music helps foster a reflective atmosphere. Participants are expected to remain silent around the house and respect the silence of others. The silence enables participants to move deeper into prayer and meditation and not be distracted by the concerns of others.

Within the silence you will spend about three quarters of an hour daily talking to your retreat guide. For most people it doesn't disturb the silence to offer a friendly smile as you pass others in the corridors of St Beuno's or respond to a 'Good Afternoon' when passing another walker on your climb of the local hills. You will notice how David in episode three of The Big Silence found inner silence whilst sat on a washing machine in the kitchen watching the traffic rushing round in circles. Most people seem to find the silence less difficult than it seems in the TV programme. There is a tendency in making TV programmes to want to increase the tension by having difficulties last until the very last moment. In fact, most of the five folk in The Big Silence were fairly comfortably into silence after the first few days.

You too will probably find the silence a liberation and get thoroughly used to it after a couple of days.


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		SILENCE on RETREAT

		One of the criticism that those of us who live at St Beuno's have about the BBC2 Programme, "The Big Silence" is that rather too much emphasis is placed on silence, particularly in the difficulty or even impossibility of not talking. We feel that silence on retreat isn't an end in itself, merely a means to help us centre on what is deepest within. As Christians we believe that God speaks to the heart of each individual. But we probably won't hear God's 'still small voice' if we fill our days with the noise of TVs, Computers, phones, work and busy-ness of all kinds. We can try to fill the emptyness within by the busyness without. Therefore we encourage those on retreat to leave e-mails behind for a week, to switch off the mobile phone, to take time away from the TV and chatting. It is surprising that after a week away you will realise that you have missed very little; the world is just the same as it was last week. But the silence gives you time to change and be different. You needn't worry in the silence that you will miss anything really important: let your nearest and dearest know where you are and give them our contact number and if there is a real emergency you will be contacted. Most retreats at St Beuno's are conducted in a prayerful silence both during the day and usually at meal times when some quiet music helps foster a reflective atmosphere. Participants are expected to remain silent around the house and respect the silence of others. The silence enables participants to move deeper into prayer and meditation and not be distracted by the concerns of others. Within the silence you will spend about three quarters of an hour daily talking to your retreat guide. For most people it doesn't disturb the silence to offer a friendly smile as you pass others in the corridors of St Beuno's or respond to a 'Good Afternoon' when passing another walker on your climb of the local hills. You will notice how David in episode three of The Big Silence found inner silence whilst sat on a washing machine in the kitchen watching the traffic rushing round in circles. Most people seem to find the silence less difficult than it seems in the TV programme. There is a tendency in making TV programmes to want to increase the tension by having difficulties last until the very last moment. In fact, most of the five folk in The Big Silence were fairly comfortably into silence after the first few days. You too will probably find the silence a liberation and get thoroughly used to it after a couple of days.
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