KASSIE GOUNDEN
IN OUR constantly connected world, filled with the distractions and demands of work, family, and social obligations, the longing for inner calm, rejuvenation, and a renewed sense of purpose grows stronger. Yet, carving out time to reflect and grasp life’s deeper meaning often feels out of reach.
The Silence Retreat is a natural progression from the Happiness Program or the Meditation and Breath Workshop, which is a prerequisite.
The program is a perfect holiday one can gift themselves for their body, mind and soul with powerful breathing techniques, deep meditations and experience of deep rest in silence, in the wonderful journey from head to heart in the midst of nature
This program can help you drop limiting beliefs, regrets, and worries, and tap into a bigger vision for yourself. You come back to your life more grounded and centred, unshaken by outer circumstances. The more often you do this retreat, the more this strength and freedom builds inside of you.
Many people want to achieve inner peace but find it a challenge to quieten their minds. The Silence Retreat provides optimal conditions for sinking deep within and breaking free from our mental chatter. Your whole day is carefully guided and crafted to give you as relaxing and transformative an experience possible. It’s no wonder that many participants refer to it as the ideal vacation for body, mind, and spirit.
Silence in true sense is much more than not speaking. It is about giving a break to the chattering mind, which gives way to renew ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Silence during the retreat results in deeper rest to our mind, body and soul.
A set of deep “Hollow and Empty” guided meditations created by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar are the core part of the retreat during silence. These meditations are geared towards drawing out the deepest layers of stress and tension from our nervous system.
The practice of silence has been used in different traditions and cultures throughout time as a unique pathway to personal discovery: consciously withdrawing our attention from outer distractions and observing silence for a few days can allow us to experience an extraordinary sense of physical, mental and spiritual renewal.
The Art of Silence Retreat is carefully structured and closely guided by experienced senior instructors, offering you an optimal setting to let go and truly relax. Your day is designed to offer you the perfect balance between guided sessions and personal time to contemplate and connect with yourself.
What will I get from this program?
Effectively manage emotions, tools to effortlessly relax, understanding the mind, the power of breath, and experience of absolute silence.
* The programme will be held from March 20 to 23 at the Westville Yoga Studio in Durban. For more information on the programmes email: kassie@artofliving.org.za
Kassie Gounden is a volunteer teacher with the Art of Living Foundation for over 17 years. She teaches the programs with her husband Pat. Both are practising accountants in Westville.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.