Go West, or East, for Silent Retreats

Stop, hey, what’s that sound? 

Oh wait, there aren’t any. 

Save maybe for the gentle whoosh of air going in and out of your lungs, or the chirping of birds in the trees, everything is pretty much quiet. 

Hopefully, your mind, too. 

The outer silence is what allows us to come to inner quiet, a place where connection to something deeper than the incessant chattering of the mind is possible. That’s the concept behind two upcoming weekend retreats, at the Krishnamurti Retreat Center in Ojai and Sunburst Sanctuary outside of Lompoc.

At the Krishnamurti retreat, participants are invited to reflect upon the topic of “Right Livelihood,” one that could be considered immensely pertinent in today’s world as economic, political, and social systems undergo upheaval. It’s a topic that deeply interested the Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, one of the great philosophical and spiritual figures of the 20th century, who lived in Ojai for many years. 

“Most of us are not concerned with right livelihood at all, we are glad and thankful simply to have a job,” said Krishnamurti (in 1950), who spent decades investigating and sharing teaching in the nature of mind, the value of meditation, the potential of psychological revolution on human relationships, and bringing about radical change in society. “So we maintain a society, a culture, that renders right livelihood impossible… Do not treat it theoretically. If you find yourself in a wrong vocation and actually do something about it, do you not see what a revolution it will bring in your life and in the life of those around you? But if you listen casually and carry on as before because you have a good job and for you there is no problem, obviously you will continue to cause misery in the world.”

At the March 7-9 retreat in Ojai, participants will have the opportunity for a structured yet flexible space to reflect on our relationship with work, livelihood and society. Through shared activities including sitting, walking, and meals — all held in silence — attendees can explore these questions in a quiet, supportive environment. 

Facilitator Francesca Gold, who has been teaching yoga and embodiment practices for over 15 years, lived at the Krishnamurti Foundation in Ojai for a year in 2012 as part of the resident scholar program, and has facilitated retreats at the center ever since. The program fee is $215, with an optional on-site room fee of $285. 

Right Mind for ‘Right Action’

The Krishnamurti Center also expands its investigation of the topic later in March with an online program called “Right Action,” which will explore how we meet life’s challenges through dialogue and inquiry. During daily sessions, participants will examine such timely questions as: Is there action free from conflict and can we respond without fragmentation? Grounded in Krishnamurti’s teachings, the program will focus on self-discovery through group dialogue, observation, and reflection. The March 24-28 class costs $100. 

The KFA Annual May Gathering, which takes place at the nearby Oak Grove School in Ojai (May 3-4) returns to the retreat’s focus, “On Silence,” which will guide conversations, workshops, and reflections on Krishnamurti’s teachings. Programs and workshops will be offered all weekend with teachers from the KFA schools and scholars of Krishnamurti’s teachings from around the world who share their understanding of his work. The event will be held both in-person and online, and registration is free.

Visit www.kfa.org. 

Dive into Silence at Sunburst 

The scaffolding is more structured at the Sunburst Sanctuary’s Spring Silent Retreat, slated for March 20-23 at the community’s bucolic and spacious setting outside of Lompoc. The retreats are geared toward both beginners and those seeking a refresher in such weekend gatherings, as the event is not exactly completely silent, even after the orientation setting ends. While participants are encouraged to refrain from speaking throughout the weekend, there are a number of group gatherings in which the leader or teacher talks, and even ones where the participants engage in chanting or other focal meditation techniques. 

The concept is to have participants both explore and experience powerful practices that increase awareness and presence, and to take home from the retreat practical tools for creating a wider, calmer expression of life. Participants enjoy nourishing meals, yoga and other teachings and practices, and plenty of unstructured time to explore the hiking trails, gardens, sanctuary spaces and labyrinth – or simply to read or meditate in the main house. 

All meals, activities and lodging in a shared double-occupancy cabin are included in the sliding scale donation of $340-$440. Register by March 12. Visit https://sunburst.org.