Be Still and Know: Practices in Silence and Discernment

This retreat is open to all sincere truth seekers as a donation-based opportunity to experience and imbibe in the sacred Silence within. All participants are expected to observe & respect silence as guided during the full retreat. Song of the Morning is safe space, a place of kindness, and all participants commit to do their part to maintain this at all times. At this time at Song of the Morning, there are a two important things for attendees to know:

• We have thoughtfully considered the best option for being able to come together in a way that honors and respects the collective needs of the whole at this time, and also allows us to fully relax and uplift in the Divine experience while being together indoors chanting and practicing sadhana. We feel the best solution is to put three requests in place that come with the intention of creating a harmonious and intimate retreat where full attention can be placed on our shared purpose for gathering. By everyone fulfilling these requests, our intent is that we can come together without the need to mask or social distance:
  1. We ask that all participants get a PCR COVID-19 test before coming for the retreat and bring with them documentation of negative test results dated no more than 5 days prior. 
  2. After completing your test, we ask that you do your best to mask up and maintain social distance while in public spaces.
  3. Upon arrival, we ask that you pass a basic health screening that we will send out in advance so you know what to anticipate. 
• The second announcement is that during the weekdays of the extended retreat, construction on our River Restoration project will be underway. For the most part, this means that you can expect intermittent background construction noise. Swami reminds us that this will give us an opportunity to focus on inner silence rather than the outer noise of daily life, which is always there. You can read more about the project by clicking the icon on the sidebar of our website. 

Retreat Overview

Deepen and uplift your experience of Life through silence, meditation, chanting, yoga asana and introspection. The retreat is guided by Swami Sankarananda in accordance with the holistic Sivananda Yoga Vedanta tradition. The program is specifically developed to aid participants in their evolution from fear to fearlessness, from discord to Harmony, and from pieces to Peace.

This retreat is both a weekend and one week long retreat. We’ve been offering the weekend Be Still and Know retreats for five years now, and the one consistent request was for the retreat to be longer, and so we extended it to one week for the first time two years ago. You can join this either for the weekend, and complete the retreat on Sunday afternoon, or continue for the full week. Please note that accommodation preference will be given for those participants who are able to stay the full week, and you are encouraged to do so, but no doubt if you are only able to join us for the weekend, it will be a very beneficial weekend for you. If you would like to only book for the weekend, the accommodation selection will be limited to camping or the Domes dormitory. If once the retreat dates draw closer and a more private room is available, they will be offered to those who only wish to stay the weekend to book on a first come first serve basis. When you register, please check the question box that indicates a reservation for only the weekend. 

To learn more about Swamiji, visit www.divinegraceyoga.org 

To learn more about Song of the Morning, visit www.songofthemorning.org 

Main Gathering Places

All scheduled events will take place at the retreat. Weather dependent, we will also gather outdoors for parts of the program. Song of the Morning is situated on 800 acres of forested land with shrine trails and the Pigeon River running through the center of the retreat, offering sacred and beautiful places of solitude for meditation and contemplation on and near the river.

Meals 

A simple and wholesome diet of vegan and vegetarian, gluten-free food will be provided. Two full meals are served each day and all participants gather to eat at that time. Fruits and light snacks will be available throughout the day; hot water and tea will also be available.

Accommodations 

Tent or dormitory accommodations with meals will be included in the retreat on a donation-only basis. Other accommodations options are available on a fixed-fee basis, with priority begin given to those staying the entire duration of the retreat.  

Participants are encouraged to remain on the retreat grounds for the full duration of the retreat. 

Karma Yoga / Seva (Self-less Service)

As part of the deepening of awareness and practices, opportunities for Karma Yoga will be available throughout the week. We operate with a limited staff; this service is both a great spiritual practice and also allows these retreats to function smoothly. Typically seva includes support with meal prep, after-meal clean-up, and other offerings that will be discussed Friday evening. A sign-up sheet will be posted.

Spiritual Counseling

Throughout the week Swami will offer one-on-one counseling sessions for all who are interested. You will have an opportunity to sign up on the daily Spiritual Counseling Sheet that will be posted. 

During counseling sessions, those not involved will be feel free to select any of the offered reading material and take up a comfortable location, or to walk silently in the area, or perhaps to journal or to reflect on experiences thus far.

What to Bring (all items to be kept in your room when not in use):

• Mask(s)
• Toothbrush/toothpaste, bath soap, shampoo and any other toiletries
• Washcloth and Towel
• Sheets, pillow, blanket and/or sleeping bag for camping and dormitory style accommodations. 
• Appropriate clothing
  • Loose, breathable clothing for yoga classes is recommended.
  • Comfortable light-colored clothing is recommended for the rest of the retreat. No tank tops or shorts above the knee are allowed. 
• Slip-on shoes – note that no shoes are allowed in the retreat facilities
• Walking shoes
• Your own personal water bottle and thermos. In reverence to our Mother Earth, we will do our best to avoid disposable dishware. We adopt this minimalist concept to invite you deeper into a simple, yogic lifestyle.
• Sunscreen, bug spray, any necessities for long outdoor time 
• Any medications you are taking
• Please bring your own yoga mats, meditation cushions and other yoga support items (blocks, straps as needed) to safeguard your health and the health of others. Thank you! 

General Guidelines

Silence is to be maintained during the retreat, except for chanting and discussions with the teacher. All of these are in fact practices of silence, including chanting and exploration of Yoga philosophy and practices. If anyone does not feel well or needs to discuss anything, please let Swami know. (Please do your best not to disturb other participants.) All communication devices (phones, computers, etc.) are to be turned off at the beginning of the retreat, or left at home.

Please let family and friends know that you are going to be in retreat. If need be, they may contact the Song of the Morning office at (989) 983-4107 or Swami at (858) 859-0523. We strongly recommend that you detach from your device for the weekend.

Retreat Schedule

Friday, Day 1

3-5:00PM   Arrival Check-In

5:00PM Dinner + Clean-up

• Please note that all meals are communal and begin on time with the meal bell. We join together for prayer, then sit in silence. 

7:00PM Opening Prayer, Introductions, Retreat Overview

7:30PM Satsang – Silence Begins

• Meditation
• Kirtan
• Dharma Talk: Silence

10:00PM Lights Out

Daily

5:30AM Wake up bell

6:00AM Satsang

• Meditation
• Kirtan
• Dharma Talk

8:00AM Yoga Class

10:00AM Brunch + Clean-up

11:30AM       Discernment Workshop

12:30PM Meditation

1:00PM Sadhana – Practice on your own

• Meditation / Contemplation
• Study and Introspection
• Journaling
• Nature Walks
• Seva / Karma Yoga assignments
• Spiritual Counseling with Swami (by appointment)

3:30PM Gentle Yoga Class

5:00PM Dinner

7:00PM Peace Chanting

7:30PM Satsang

• Meditation
• Kirtan
• Dharma Talk

10:00PM  Lights Out

Friday, Day 8

5:30AM Wake up bell

6:00AM Satsang

• Meditation
• Kirtan
• Dharma Talk: Steps Towards Inner Peace

8:00AM Yoga Class

10:00AM Brunch + Clean-up

11:00AM Silence Ends – Closing Discussions & Prayers

• Ask any open questions with the group
• Share your insights & experiences of the weekend
• Feedback on Retreat

1:00 Program Close – Closing Prayers and Arati, Departure

Seva opportunities will be offered for those willing to stay after  to help clean up after the retreat.