Nectar of Silence - Meditation Retreat
Join internationally known master meditation teacher Harshada Wagner for an ECSTATIC Silent Retreat! Dive into a new level of freedom, embodiment, and connection to Spirit. Our silent retreat in Wallkill, New York will be a deep dive into meditation and other awareness practices rooted in the ecstatic yoga tradition.
Silent Practice (maun sadhana) is an age old practice to help facilitate altered states of consciousness in a retreat setting. This IS NOT Vipassana. Our ecstatic approach to silence includes laughter and engagement of the senses. Harshada will teach you how to practice silence without going into your head or getting too serious. It really is ecstatic.
Mahayoga is a ancient tradition originating in India that works with the awakened Kundalinī Shakti - the innate spiritual intelligence dwelling deep inside every person. The retreat will spend from Thursday night to Sunday lunchtime meditating, doing silent tantra walks in the wilderness surrounding the retreat center, moving in Body Temple dance ceremonies and asana sessions, working with mantra, and diving deep into powerful meditative states. This retreat is a profound immersion experience.
Our retreat venue is the wonderful Wild Heart Center for Performance and Embodiment Practice in Wallkill, New York. The indoor spaces are warm and comfortable. The outdoor areas and surrounding land offer the stunning natural beauty of the Catskills in Spring. The Wild Heart Center is situated on Schaghticoke and Munsee Lenape ancestral land surrounded by 46 acres of forest, field, lake, and wetlands.
Our retreat has single rooms, double rooms, dorm-style housing, and camping options. The center has a commercial kitchen and we will provide abundant delicious vegetarian food. Many of the buildings with rooms have their own kitchens so you can make tea, store snacks, etc.
This retreat could be for you if:
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You want to dive deep into the healing power of meditation.
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You want to experience the power of silent practice.
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You have an established spiritual practice and want to go deeper.
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You need a paradigm shift in your inner being.
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You’re needing answers to important questions in your life.
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You’re needing a deep reset in your body, heart, mind, and life.
Schedule
Thursday
Arrival and orientation.
Participants will be speaking as we discuss the intentions for the retreat and establish the teachings and principles for the work we’ll be doing together. The group will go into silence before bed on Thursday.
Friday-Sunday
Retreat schedule: waking early for tea and journalling before meditation and then coming in and out of sitting meditations, breath work practices, walking meditations, Body Temple Dance sessions, gentle stretching and periods of rest.
*Note: For those who need to leave Sunday, we will have a (speaking) integration circle after lunch before saying goodbye.
Monday
Retreat schedule up until the morning session which will be the final retreat integration session.
Closing ceremony before lunch and then departure.
*For more FAQ scroll down to the bottom.
Here’s what past participants have said about practicing silence with us on our India retreat:
“The 48-hours of ecstatic silence I experienced on retreat with Harshada was mind-blowing and game-changing. I experienced a deepening of connection with the natural world that was truly magical, significant creative inspirations, and increased potency in my meditations. I can’t wait for the opportunity to do it again!”
“Ecstatic, transcendental and psychedelic. Calming, relieving to all parts of me that pretend or speak out loud to appease. The most grounding time that I’ll take with me forever. Relieving. Honestly just fully relieving.”
Because of the small group and medium-advanced level of this retreat, we'd like you fill out the questionnaire below so we can learn about you and your previous experience. After we get the questionnaire, we'll get back to you and schedule a time to have a talk about all the details.
Retreat fees: $795 -1295 USD* (** based on accommodation choice)
*limited LGBTQ+ and BIPOC discounts available
**Accommodation options include shared dorm, shared double room, and private room.
FAQ
Is this retreat appropriate for beginners?
Generally speaking, no. But some beginners have a "jump into the deep end" spirit. The practices, schedule, and teachings in this retreat are designed for experienced sincere practitioners and spiritual seekers.
How long are the meditations?
The sitting meditation sessions are between 20 and 60 minutes. Any sitting practice longer than 45 minutes will include a stretch break.
Are cellphones allowed?
Participants are allowed to have their phones but will be encouraged to have them switched off for the duration of the retreat. Our team will have a secure place to keep them if participants want to give up their phones.
What about whispering?
The intention of the silent practice isn't to be "quiet" or not make sound. The intention is to give participants the experience of holding back the energy of speech for the sake of their inner experience. Whispering is not allowed during silent time.
What if there is something important to communicate?
Participants are able to write notes for retreat team members and to communicate practical needs to roommates and venue personnel during silent time. Of course, if there is any kind of emergency please speak up!
What if I don't follow the rules?
The main "rule" is that there is no talking during the silent portion of the retreat. Participants who repeatedly and intentionally break silence will be asked to leave. But really, this never happens. The silence is so delicious that people only break it by accident.
How is this different from Vipassana or other silent retreats?
Vipasanna is a very specific practice from a specific Buddhist lineage. Harshada's Nectar of Silence is a retreat based in the yogic tradition. There will be a variety of practices and meditation techniques and we will also incorporate practices like movement, dance, and open eyed walking meditations where participants are encouraged to open up and take in the beauty and energy around them.