My Seven Days in Silence – Day Two
The Chopra Center offers an annual retreat at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA. It’s called Silent Awakenings. It’s literally adjacent to Pebble Beach, for some context. We spend seven days in silence. No phone, no TV, no online YouTube cat videos, no social media, and no talking! It’s a complete digital detox. I’ll be sharing my learnings and insights from each day. Day Two is about Healing.
I made it through Day One with surprising ease. It was such a ‘relief’ to not talk and just be inwardly and outwardly at the same time. It was comfortable and liberating. The evening before Deepak answered questions submitted throughout the day. There were several questions on pain, suffering, dualism, and healing. The biggest starred item in my notes is pain can be protective but to a point. Suffering is identification with that pain. Rumi says, “the way through the pain is in the pain.”
The daily theme to awaken to is Healing.
The morning lecture is centered around just how amazing our bodies and minds actually are. The emphasis is we have all the resources to heal most everything. The body’s natural state is homeostasis. Of course, there are times when medical interventions are necessary, but frequently, we tend to over-medicate. Dr. David Simon, one of the founders of the Chopra Center shares “Healing is when every molecule, thought, feeling, emotion and relationship is resonating on the level of how we are expressions of the same divine force.” In addition to healing, we are invited to focus on color and form today.
Expanding the view on what is healing or nourishing:
Firstly, this conversation was a great reminder that nourishment and healing come from more than just the obvious of diet and exercise. Secondly, we consume energy in the forms of sight, sound, food/taste, and smell. Lastly and most importantly, everything we consume affects the mind, body, and spirit.
Questions to ponder:
So, when we stare at a computer screen for hours on end, what impact do you think that may have? If you watch and listen to the news directly before bedtime, how beneficial or toxic is that? How about the cumulative significance of noise pollution? You know, the constant chatter on the bus, planes overhead, blaring tv or computer games? If your dinner frequently consists of takeout and microwave meals washed down with a soda, how nourishing is that for your body? And, how is that friendship or relationship that depletes you more than builds you up affecting you over time?
Get your daily dose of:
Nourishing sounds: This will vary for each person. Nature sounds like water running, waves crashing, birds singing, rain can soothe the soul. Instrumental music, classical music, spa music are some other suggestions. Babies laughing, people laughing.. Heck, just laughing. I bet that made you smile. It’s hard to see, hear and experience people laughing without it being contagious.
Nourishing touch: As a single person, this can be a bit challenging or fun.. Hugs! Family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” While that may sound like a lot of hugs, it seems that many hugs are better than not enough. Additionally, an embrace that is 20 seconds or more is better. There is also an Ayurvedic practice of self-massage, called Abhyanga that is helpful. Or if your budget affords, get a professional massage regularly.
Nourishing sights: Again, this is highly personal. Nature and Art are my favorites. For every hour you spend on a screen, it would be good to balance that with actually looking at something that is NOT a screen. When was the last time you watched a sunrise or sunset? I remember a vacation in Hawaii where I had a goal to watch the sunset every evening… And I met it!
Nourishing foods/tastes: This goes without explanation, but here’s a twist. Eat the colors of the rainbow daily. We do eat with our eyes first. Fresh, whole foods are best.
Nourishing smells: Ah, fresh air… Remember that? Essential oils are also a favorite of mine. Depending on my mood, the scent of choice varies. Additionally, I notice there are natural smells that work for me as well, like the smell after a rain, freshly cut grass, the seashore, and mountain pines. In summary, I challenge you to find some silence today and simply notice all that you are consuming, is it healing or nourishing?!
Finally, we only have a finite amount of time on this planet, and you can choose how to spend that time.
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I wish you much success in your career quest. Yours in balance, learning, growth, and harmony. – Melissa DeLuca, CEO
