I’m back and the radio silence is over.

I’ve been away from my blog for a few weeks preparing something wonderful for you. As I mentioned in my last blog of 2017, I want to be more creative and be part of something transformative and uplifting.

2018 is all about raising the positive vibration for me and I would love for you to join me in the year long experience.

Curious? Knew you would be! Click HERE to learn more, and claim your space.

This desire to go in a new direction began a little while ago with a gift that came from an unexpected source – my father’s death. I had always feared the death of a loved one so when he died, I braced myself for unbearable loss and grief.

That didn’t happen. Rather than the despondency and depression I had expected to find in the face of death, I found, instead, a harbinger of soulfulness, silence and stillness.

I felt myself being pulled into that profoundly silent and still place again and again during those first weeks. I had moments of grief and sadness but it was the silence and stillness that drew me in and soothed me..

In places where I assumed I would find only loss and emptiness, I discovered relief and spaciousness, it was as if I had come across an oasis in the desolate desert that is grief. When I wasn’t in that space I was thirsty for it. And when I was in it, I felt deeply nourished and connected to the source.

It has been a surprising gift and a steady catalyst in my life bringing joy, clarity and a more defined purpose.

I have become more productive and focused in pursuing my dreams. I am now enrolled in film classes and have started a T’ai chi and qigong practice; both of these things I have been wanting to do for aeons.

The experience of silence continues to teach me and I in turn keep returning for more because it feels so good. I want to shout from the rooftops and say to people: “Turn off the phones, turn off the TVs and tune in. Sit in silence. There is rest, relief and, real results.”

So, without further ado, please let me introduce you to My Silence Retreat

– a FREE meditation program of 5 easy to follow audio meditations introducing you to the joys of meditating in silence.

The benefits I have experienced and continue to experience are tangible and energizing. You don’t have to take my word for it. Scientific studies point to the many health benefits of surrounding ourselves in silence daily.

The top 4 Benefits of Silent Meditation

  1. Stimulate Brain Growth – Did you know a 2013 study (1) published in the journal Brain Structure and Function found that at least two hours of silence could create new cells in the hippocampus region? This is essential since the hippocampus is linked to our ability to learn, remember things, and even our emotions. Yay!
  2. Relieve Stress – Noise causes stress. Whether it is the sound of traffic, listening to a podcast or cell phones. A 2006 study (2) in Heart found silence can release tension in the brain and body in just two minutes. Researchers found it was more relaxing than listening to “relaxing” music. This was based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain.
  3. Fight Insomnia – This I have found to be especially true for me. My sleep is much improved. Spending a few minutes a day in silence can lead to improved sleep, especially for insomniacs. A 2015 study (3) in JAMA Internal Medicine found older adults who had trouble sleeping experienced less insomnia, fatigue, and depression after doing mindfulness meditation.
  4. Heighten Sensitivity – There are retreats that promote the power of silence by refraining from reading, writing, or eye contact. One hundred scientists (4) went on a retreat for research and found shutting off speech heightens awareness in other areas. They practiced the technique of vipassana meditation, which promotes overall wellbeing.

So, my only question now is… are you in? It would be my honor to have you join us.

Sign me up I’m Ready to go deep!

  1. Kirste, Imke & Nicola, Zeina & Kronenberg, Golo & Walker, Tara & Liu, Robert & Kempermann, Gerd. (2013). Is silence golden? Effects of auditory stimuli and their absence on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Brain structure & function. . . 10.1007/s00429-013-0679-3.
  2. Bernardi, L., Porta, C., & Sleight, P. (2006, April). Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory changes induced by different types of music in musicians and non‐musicians: the importance of silence. Retrieved January 24, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1860846/
  3. Black DS, O’Reilly GA, Olmstead R, Breen EC, Irwin MR. Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(4):494–501. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8081
  4. Harris, S. (2006, February 02). A Contemplative Science. Retrieved January 24, 2018, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-harris/a-contemplative-science_b_15024.html