Bali Silent Retreat

Why joining a retreat?

Why does someone join a retreat? Answer varies from finding peace, gain clarity, develop spiritual practice, or just simply for a better mental health condition. I asked myself that same question before visiting Bali Silent Retreat. For one reason or another, this was a great opportunity for me to reconnect back to myself as well as the nature. Imagine staying in a peaceful place surrounded by nature where everything seems to be peaceful, serene, and calming your mind. That was my first impression when I visited the Bali Silent Retreat venue. Something that at first I was quite reluctant about at first, but it definitely gave me a much better clarity and I did enjoy being in silent. Read more below on more details about it and my first hand experience. I decided to went there because I think at that time I needed the clarity and in the phase of spiritual growth.

Bali Silent Retreat Location and How to Get There

Bali Silent Retreat is located in Tabanan area at the mountainside of Mount Batu Karu. Everywhere you look is rice field. It is sort of in the middle of nowhere, away from the hustle bust of the city. It really shows the natural part of Bali, unlike the touristy are we usually visit. I went there by car and the journey from Ubud City Centre takes about one and a half hour. You will be greeted by a two storied house which is the reception where you do the check in. After getting your room key, the staff will show you the location of your room. 

The Room and Food

The room is pretty simple and mine is located on the downhill side of the venue. This place has an ashram style, meaning you have to clean your own dishes, make your own bed when you get in and out of the venue, and so on. There is a simple bed, mirror, a small table, a box where you can put your belonging, windows, and in room bathroom with water heater. So thankful for the water heater because the weather is definitely cold. The meals are vegetarian and we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as snacks. I was truly surprised of how good the food was! The food concept is garden to table, so everything is fresh and cooked in house. There was so many choices I think about 10 menus or so. We had our meal in the main building which is also where the library and reading lounge is located. The entire place is also plastic free and they encourage recycling.

Activities and Facilities

As the name mention, you are not allowed to talk to others here, make a call, and is recommended to turn off your mobile phone. It is truly and completely silent. Event hough the venue has certain activities listed out, but you can opt not to follow any activities and just enjoy your own time. On 6 am we will be greeted by a morning 1 hour meditation followed by another hour of yoga at the meditation tent located outdoor. Breakfast runs from 8 - 9.30 am and lunch is between 12- 1.30 pm. There is another yoga and meditation session on 4-6 pm, then dinner is served around 7pm. In between those hour, you can explore the facilities.

You'll find a crystal labyrinth near the meditation tent. On the entrance is a prayer card and a basket of stones with different word on it. I took the universal prayer and choose the stone of "duality". The phrase always mesmerizes me because for me it translates to the physical and spiritual realm, the yin and yang, the light and show and so on. I took my own time to go through the circular labyrinth in and out. Nearby it is a set of staircase leading you down to the water meditation place. I sat there under the water to meditate. Not lying, it was cold and was kind of freezing even in the midst of the day. Nevertheless, it was on of the most profound meditation I have ever had in my life. 

When I'm not attending the guided classes, I spent my time in the library reading books or just sit and gaze forward to the broad rice field. At times, I would be doing some colouring while munching on my snacks. If I am not in the main building, I will be looking at the ducks near the rice field and how they move in sync with each other. I took a walk around the rice field and sometimes find butterflies with different colours hopping from one flower stem to another. It is the little things that makes me feel happy. In the evening there are different activities provided like the bonfire and herbal mini class. The area is pretty dark at night with very minimal lighting. At night there is also a stargazing point, where you can sit or lay down just to look at the star formation. A little bit further is where the crying bench located, where you can stay there to cry your heart out.

My Key Takeaways from The Retreat

Silence is definitely needed and I don't think I will be able to have this kind of experience in the city I'm living in. It gave me so much peace, clarity, and opened my mind to another level. I might be going back to the place again one day. One thing I recently realised is that, during my water meditation I said that I want the universe to release me from everything that no longer serves me. Little did I know the following months, a lot of things happened. I ended a job, friendship, as well as relationship. I truly truly didn't know how or why that happened. Only today did I realise that now, in this moment, everything and everyone I have around me is something that i truly deserve. To have a job that speaks to your heart, surrounded by love that excel to the next level, and genuine friends are things that I am grateful for every day. Maybe, just maybe, if I didn't attended this retreat, i wouldn't be where I am today. Everything happens for a reason isn't it?

What do you think of this retreat? Have you ever gone for a retreat? Will you do one in the future?

tags:bali,travel,wellness