Cultivating Joy: A Silent, Mindfulness Retreat for Individuals

Cultivating JOY through the lens of silence and self compassion is a noble offering to yourself.

Join us at Menla for a powerful silent retreat consisting of meditation, self compassion, mindfulness, and guidance. We will begin to gather as a group at 4pm Wednesday for check in and will enjoy our first dinner together at 6pm. Silence will commence around 9:30 pm after the evening introductory session and will continue through Sunday morning when we will break our silence and enjoy our final lunch together with shared reflections.

All participants are encouraged to commit to the full program for maximum effect. Journaling, sitting and eating meditation practices, music with eye shades and a mat, and movement will also be integral parts of our experience. A full digital detox is highly encouraged, and at a minimum no cell phones will be allowed in the conference center or at meals. Finding freedom from our phones will feel liberating after the initial moment of letting go. In the evenings after our silent dinners, we will have an opportunity to listen to evening discussions and contemplate their relevance to our lives.

Self-compassion is a vital component of personal growth and emotional resilience and can be especially poignant during a silent retreat when you are confronted fully with the contents of your mind. Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, describes self-compassion as treating yourself with kindness, recognizing your struggles, and understanding suffering as a shared human experience. In a retreat setting, where silence creates space for introspection, the practice of self-compassion can be particularly transformative.

You may encounter discomfort or self-judgment as you confront your thoughts and emotions without distraction. According to Dr. Neff, self-compassion involves three core elements: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-kindness entails being gentle with yourself rather than harshly critical. For instance, if you feel overwhelmed by emotions at any time during the retreat, instead of berating yourself for this reaction, embracing self-kindness can help you foster radical acceptance and deep healing.

Common humanity reminds us that imperfection is part of our shared human experience. When we grapple with feelings of isolation or inadequacy during a retreat, acknowledging that others also experience such challenges can create a common sense of connection and belonging.

Mindfulness allows for a balanced awareness of negative thoughts, enabling individuals to observe their feelings without becoming overwhelmed or overly identified with them. This aligns with Dr. Tara Brach’s teachings on radical acceptance, suggesting that embracing our present experience with compassion leads to deeper self-awareness and growth.

In essence, self-compassion during a silent retreat is essential, facilitating a nurturing space for exploration, acceptance, and personal transformation.

No meditation experience is required. A capacity for self regulation, self reflection and self care is appreciated. The group experience is a deeply profound and sacred opportunity to connect to one’s self and to the reality that we are all connected.

All applicants will be invited to a preparation session via zoom prior to the retreat.

Contact Person:

Jayne Gumpel jayne@relationshipresources.info, 914 924 1509
David Gumpel David@relationshipresources.info 212 286 1850

All participants will be invited to attend a 60 minute preparation and information zoom call June 2, 2025 at 8 am; or July 21 at 8 am. This is an essential meeting.

Schedule

Wednesday, July 30

• 3 – 6 pm Arrival & Check-in
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 9:15 Opening Session – Silence Begins

Thursday, July 31 – Silent Day

• 7:15 – 8 am Early Morning Sit
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:30 am – 12 pm Morning Meditations
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 2:30 pm Afternoon Break, Free time for Relaxation, Spa & Rest
• 2:30 – 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 8:30 pm Evening Program

Friday, August 1 – Silent Day

• 7:15 – 8 am Early Morning Sit
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:30 am – 12 pm Morning Meditations
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 2:30 pm Afternoon Break, Free time for Relaxation, Spa & Rest
• 2:30 – 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 8:30 pm Evening Program

Saturday, August 2 – Silent Day

• 7:15 – 8 am Early Morning Sit
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:30 am – 12 pm Morning Meditations
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 2:30 pm Afternoon Break, Free time for Relaxation, Spa & Rest
• 2:30 – 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 8:30 pm Evening Program

Sunday, August 3

• 7 – 11 am Check-out of Rooms
• 7 – 8 am Morning Meditation & Yoga – Silent
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast – Silent
• 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Closing Morning Program – Silence Broken
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change.