Overnight Retreats

“You are such a mystery. Our true depth lies beyond the domain of objective understanding. To know what we really are, we will have to go beyond the mind itself. This is the purpose of the Art of Contemplation.”
— Richard Rudd

Evolve Quietly

Evolve Quietly is a silent meditation retreat designed for you to come back home to yourself, rediscover your inspiration and reignite your inner spark without any distractions from technology. Enjoy the feeling of your mind and heart becoming clearer as your thoughts slow down.

Your time at Castle Grace will cleanse and nourish your body, clear and rejuvenate your mind, reconnect you with the truth of your inner essence and your felt sense, present moment experience of a Higher power. 

The retreat also emphasizes the power of prayer and devotion, providing a peaceful, quiet and supportive environment for deep heartfelt reflection and meaningful Self-discovery.

With over 100 days of silence under our belts in the past 2 years, we’ve found that meditating in silence allows us all to do the deep personal work while being supported by a collective container.

All of You is welcome here, and you’re invited to bring your full Self to the table, as you feel and move through any of the emotions and experiences that you may have found hard to handle alone, allow insights to arise organically and bringing you back into connection with your core reason for being. 

These events are 1, 3, or 5 full days of silence, and typically include 4-5 hours of meditation a day, along with a selection of morning movement, breathwork exercises, two hours of Yin Yoga with accompanying music/prayer transmissions, guided visualizations, and hiking/creek dipping for those so inclined

Why Silence?

Silence is an exceptionally powerful tool with a variety of benefits that can have a profound impact on our daily mental and physical well-being, including:

  1. Stress reduction: Silence can help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to a decrease in feelings of anxiety and stress.

  2. Improved focus and concentration: In a world filled with noise and distractions, silence can provide a much-needed respite and allow us to focus on a task or activity more effectively.

  3. Enhanced creativity: Research has shown that silence can increase creativity and problem-solving skills, as it allows the mind to wander and process information more deeply.

  4. Greater self-awareness: Silence can provide an opportunity for introspection and self-reflection, helping us to become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

  5. Improved physical health: Silence has been linked to a number of physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved immune function, and reduced chronic pain.

Gift yourself or someone you love a rare technology detox, in the heart of Nature’s embrace, in this beautiful, nourishing retreat environment nestled in the spectacular Colorado mountains.  Read on for more details.

 

Being Alone…Together

It can be a tough to build your meditation muscles alone, but together–with the support of community in a nourishing container–you can relax. No meditation or yoga experience is required to attend our retreats.

  • Meditation

    We meditate (with minimal supportive guidance) for up to one hour, several times a day. Our meditation sessions are inspired by Vipassana, Kundalini, Chakra energy-center work, The Gene Keys, and Richard Rudd’s Art of Contemplation offering a fusion of both traditional Eastern, Western and cutting edge modalities.

  • Morning Movement, Yin Yoga, Breathwork & Visualization

    We warm-up each morning with guided movement to activate your body & breath. Each afternoon we spend 2 hours gently stretching ourselves in Yin Yoga with accompanying music/prayer transmissions. There is plenty of time to relax in nature, enjoy the amenities, contemplate, and sleep between sessions.

    We offer a variety of daily breathwork practices to awaken the body and support rhythmic breathing and meditations on each of the energy centers. The energy that’s liberated through the breathwork is then directed into guided visualizations in service of your own self-actualization and the regeneration of our planet.



  • Nourishing Ayurvedic Meals

    Our breakfast, lunch, and dinners are designed to support your meditation and detoxify your body (while being hella delicious). 90% of our menu is vegan, gluten-free, and organic. 100% of our menu is prepared with unconditional love.

    Breakfast typically includes gluten-free oatmeal, nut milks, maple syrup, hemp seeds, raisins, berries, and/or congee, and tea.

    Lunch includes a variety of options such as Ayurvedic mung bean dal, brown rice, roasted vegetables, and salad.

    For dinner, we offer light options, such as soup, rice, and salad.

    *If you have special dietary needs, please do bring what will help you feel nourished.

Our Setting

The Silent Foundation is set in a national forest north of Boulder, Colorado, one-hour from the Denver International Airport. Amenities include cold plunging & sun bathing in Boulder Creek, hot tub, sauna, gym, putting green, and epic hiking.

 

This experience changed our lives. It’s amazing how much can happen when you give yourself the gift of slowing down.

Our Schedule

 

5:00 AM Wake Up Bell

5:30 AM - 6:00 AM Morning Movement

6:15 AM - 7:15 AM Meditation

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Meditation

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Movement on Your Own

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Meditation

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Giving Back

1:00 PM - 3:00PM Lunch Break

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Yin Yoga with Music

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Meditation

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM - 8:30 PM Meditation

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM Surprise

*schedule is subject to change

Our Upcoming Dates in 2023:

 

January 3-6

January 19-22

January 25-28 (full)

February 2-5

FAQs

 

How much does it cost?

Our silent retreats include all programming, lodging, and meals. We ask for a minimum donation deposit of $900 for our 3-day retreats at the time of registration to secure your spot. The Silent Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and you’re welcome to give an additional donation post-retreat.

How should I book my travel?

Please arrive between 6pm-7pm the first evening for dinner and orientation. If you’re coming by plane, plan to fly into Denver International Airport by 4:30PM on the first day and fly out in the evening on the last day. 

Programming ends with an integration circle around 5pm on the last day, followed by an optional dinner.  

The Silent Foundation is located 1 hour northwest of the Denver International Airport. You can plan to take an Uber/Lyft to The Silent Foundation for around $90 each way.

What do I need to do to prepare for the Sit?

Clear your schedule and let your contacts know that you will be unavailable during the retreat. We’ll provide a contact number for your family to call in case of an emergency. You’ll be asked to turn off all electronic devices while we are in silence (aside from things like electric toothbrushes or hairdryers).

What is Noble Silence?

Noble Silence is from the tradition of Vipassana meditation. The intention of Noble Silence is to support you in going as deep as possible into meditation without having to interrupt your experience with casual conversation or because of conditioned behaviors that have us typically seeking external validation or a sense of safety from others.

During Noble Silence we ask that you refrain from talking and physical contact. Traditionally Noble Silence also restricts eye contact, reading and writing but we’ll leave that up to you.

Are there chores?

We ask everyone to offer seva, selfless service, in the form of being assigned a role in helping to contribute to beauty and reverence of the space, for example, by preparing or cleaning up a meal each day. If you have special skills in carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work, please let us know.

What should I pack?

  • Clothing for sitting and easy yoga. Check the weather for 80302, before you pack. Temperatures can vary widely because we're in the mountains. Most sessions are held indoors with bare feet. Bring a few layers because temperatures can change 40 degrees in a single day.

  • Warm Sweater or Shawl

  • Sandals or Slippers to walk between buildings.

  • Hiking Shoes for the rocky terrain.

  • Swimsuit for hot tub and cold plunge in Boulder Creek.

  • Water Bottle

  • Personal Medications & Supplements

    These are additional suggested items:

    • Eye Mask can make focusing in meditation easier.

    • Robe for trips to the bathroom.

    • Water Shoes or Sandals for the short walk to Boulder Creek.

    • Work Clothes for optional gardening tasks.

    • Sunscreen, Sun Hat and Sun Cover-up. We are at 6,320 feet above sea level so you get 25% more UV radiation. Sunburn is our most common injury.

    • Moisturizing Skin Care, Lip Care & Hair Care. We are in a dry climate. Most skin types will need to moisturize with oil or lotion daily.

    • Moon Cycle Supplies for women. Your cycle may be heavier while in meditation.

    • If you have a meditation cushion or yoga mat, you are welcome to bring them. We have cushions & mats you can borrow as well.

  • The Water Temple

  • The Gym

  • Back Porch overlooking Boulder Creek

  • Castle Grace

  • Living Room

  • Dining Room

  • Kitchen

  • Dining Room Fire Place

  • The Temple

  • Front Porch South