When was the last time you experience true silence?

28 Jul

When was the last time you experienced true silence? I asked this question recently during a coaching session. The answer came almost immediately: "I don't remember... maybe never, really."

So now I'd like to ask you the same question. Can you remember the last time you were simply in silence?

No phone.
No headphones.
No podcast.
No music.

Just you, the sounds around you, and the space in between.

A quiet practice

I have not always been comfortable with silence, but it has become something I deeply value. It's where my mind begins to settle, where I slow down enough to notice what's happening within me and around me and when I get the most amazing breakthroughs.

This photo was taken during the Wildflower Abundance Retreat, where I had the privilege of co-facilitating, it was taken specifically during our silent walk.

When we designed the retreat programme, there was something non-negotiable for me: a silent walk in nature.

I knew that after facilitating a workshop in the morning, the silent walk would help renew my energy.

Having a clear energetic field when holding space for others is non-negotiable. This silent walk was for me as much as it was for the retreat guests!

And for the guests, my intention was for them to experience silence. Just like my coaching client, the reality is that many of us are distracted nowadays, and there is not much room for silence in our daily life unless we consciously choose to bring it in. This pocket of silence, as part of the retreat, was the perfect opportunity to invite slowing down and reconnection with themselves, nature, and their senses.

What silenced revealed?

Not everyone was comfortable being in a group in silence, so the group was smaller at the end, and when we broke the silence, after one hour, the feedback from the people who remained in the group was amazing. They all shared having a sense of calm and peace within themselves and awe from the nature around them. One person said: "If we had been talking, I would never have noticed the fish jumping in the river." Another shared "I would have never realised how magical this place was." Someone else said : "I noticed that I was walking on the tree roots. I've would never have noticed that before."

Others told me they wanted to try walking without headphones or invite a loved one on a silent walk.

And now, coming back to my coaching client, can you guess the one action they have agreed to take before our next session? To drink their morning coffee in silence. Without phone. Without radio, TV or any distractions.

Transformation starts here, not with doing more, but with making more space.