This week I am grateful for…
166. Silence
167. Community
168. Awe moment 1
169. Awe moment 2
170. Nature
#166: Silence
Two weeks ago, I embarked on a five-day silent retreat at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center in Barnet,Vermont. I’m eager to share the profound gratitude I experienced during that time. It was my first silent retreat—a journey where I spent five days in silence, meditating for eight hours each day.
The first thing I am deeply grateful for is the silence itself. It’s astonishing how much you learn about yourself, your thoughts, your surroundings, and even other people when you choose to be silent. The retreat allowed me to observe my thoughts and emotions in real-time, without the usual distractions. Over those five days, I began to notice patterns in my thinking. I became aware of where my mind tends to wander, and I was able to evaluate whether those thoughts were serving me. If they weren’t, I felt empowered to gently let them go.
There were moments when the urge to speak was almost overwhelming, especially when I was in the company of others in a casual setting. Yet, I discovered the power of non-verbal communication—how much connection can be achieved through simple gestures and body language. In short, the silence was transformative. It’s incredible how much you can notice about yourself and the world around you when you embrace silence. I would highly recommend a silence retreat for anyone seeking peace, joy, and personal insight.
#167: Community
The retreat wouldn’t have been as meaningful without the incredible community that surrounded me. The teachers were knowledgeable and truly inspiring, guiding us with wisdom and compassion. My fellow participants were supportive and kind, adding layers of richness to the experience. I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of them, as they made the retreat not just rewarding, but deeply meaningful and unforgettable.
#168: Awe Moment 1
During the retreat, I experienced two moments of intense awe and gratitude. The first occurred on the third day during a walking meditation. We strolled through a garden bursting with vibrant flowers. After three days of silence and eight hours of daily meditation, I found myself in a state of profound peace, fully present in the moment. As I knelt down to smell two different flowers, I was struck by the beauty around me—the bright colors, the fresh scents, and the sight of tomatoes ripening from dark green to bright red. My heart swelled with gratitude for the Earth and its endless gifts. A tear slipped down my cheek, and for about ten minutes, I was enveloped in an overwhelming sense of gratitude—a feeling that stayed with me for the rest of the retreat.
#169: Awe Moment 2
The second awe-inspiring moment happened later that evening. It had been raining on and off throughout the day, with a hurricane passing nearby. During our last meditation session at 7 PM, the rain was pouring down. But as the session ended at 7:30, the rain stopped. A fellow participant gestured that there was something beautiful outside, and I rushed out, thinking I might catch a glimpse of a rainbow. Instead, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight—the moon, enormous and radiant, peeking through fast-moving clouds at dusk.
Drawn by the beauty, I walked down to a stream that passes close by. The power and sound of the water was humbling. As I looked up hill, I saw tall grass swaying gently in the wind, and the moon glowing brightly as the clouds danced across the sky. I was filled with an intense sense of awe, gratitude, and pure joy. The birds were singing their final songs before nightfall, and in that moment, I felt incredibly fortunate to be alive, witnessing such natural beauty.
#170: Nature
This retreat reminded me of just how breathtaking nature can be, especially when observed in silence. The retreat was nestled amidst mountains, their slopes lush with a variety of green trees. I noticed the vivid colors of birds and their sweet songs, the intricate patterns of rocks, and the dance of butterflies. Throughout the week, I encountered deer, a groundhog, and even fish in the stream.
On the last night, a meteor shower lit up the sky. I woke in the middle of the night to marvel at the stars, and in remote Vermont, it was undimmed by light pollution. At 4 AM, I joined two other participants to watch the sunrise, a moment of serene beauty that filled me with joy. For all these experiences, I am profoundly grateful.
What are you grateful for this week?