We invite you to take the energy into movement research, meditation, and self-contemplation. A retreat is an exceptional opportunity to leave aside the social noise and daily life tasks, knowing that you are not expected to behave according to habitual social conventions.

A deeper presence and a subtler focus emerge as the verbal communication is removed…

We aim for self-awareness, to manifest through our dance. For this, Verbal Silence is paramount.

Silence, nevertheless, goes beyond the absence of verbal communication. We invite us to question and observe what arises to replace the verbal and drop this as well, until what is left is authentic and unconditioned.

We commit to:

• Avoid Verbal communication and be aware of the boundaries and choices of others.
• Avoid the use of communication devices. (if you find it convenient you can leave yours under the care of the organization for the duration of the Retreat).

This commitment is a collective agreement meant to sustain a common field.  If this commitment is broken and participants are disturbed or the retreat is compromised, the facilitators will intervene to find a solution. Facilitators have the last option to ask someone to leave the retreat.

We also commit to doing our best in:

• Understanding that each one follows her/his process.
• Respecting and supporting those who go deeper into silence or meditation
• Not judging those who stay only within the frame of the Verbal Silence.
• Be mindful in interactions with others.

Exceptions:

• Need for emotional support. Facilitators are available to listen and give emotional support to participants if needed. This is an exceptional context, common practical needs will be addressed in a non-verbal way
• The team follows the same commitment as the participants, and will only meet to manage the practical needs of the retreat.

The organization has an email address available that participants can share with any close person, relative, friend, partner, or with whom they want. Both are being checked during the day, and participants will be notified immediately if someone requests so. This is, however, a resource for exceptional situations, for instance a relative with serious health issues, or a particular event might request the participant’s urgent attention. Therefore we request discretion.

Delicate situations, in which the participant needs to communicate with the outside (for example, a child in the care of another person), have to be communicated in advance to the organization. In such cases, exceptions will be made, in a way that doesn’t compromise the process.

The Silent Contact Retreat is neither hard nor restrictive, and it’s flexible to accommodate diverse situations and intentions, as long as the common field is taken care of.