# @lotuswei on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/BgcUV-THlKl
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/75550866-lotuswei-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/1cc8fbaa13.jpg
- **Posted:** 2018-03-17T23:17:21.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** LOTUSWEI Flower Essences (@lotuswei) — https://gondola.cc/lotuswei

## Caption

Tay + I just returned from a 1 day silent retreat at Wilbur Hot Springs. Here are some observations we took away from a full day of no speaking ... just being ::
-We LIVE all the moments. We don’t miss out on anything by not talking about it as it’s happening.
-I had the thought “why aren’t we better at telepathic communication!?” ... because when you are 100% present, you can understand what someone else is feeling + communicating — without words.
-Observation mode requires you to see things differently. *Being + observing* is a powerful practice (vs. *being + engaging*), because you capture everything in rich detail + gain deeper insights into the people around you + your surroundings.
-I became super aware of who was around me, along with my effect on them + their effect on me.
-When you’re not talking, the act of tuning into + having a dialogue with nature is effortless. You notice when winds are acknowledging your presence. You hear birds singing with sheer clarity. You notice every little detail of the environment around you.
-I didn’t miss talking.
-I was reminded that I really love eating in silence + meditating on taste. Flavors become so much more complex.
-Having a card that says “I want to communicate with you, but I’m on a silent retreat ☺️” would be helpful.
-Meditation on sound is so lovely. We took a power nap on the couches in the community lounge area and woke up to an older gentleman playing guitar + singing old bluegrass songs. Sounds become so rich!
-Even when you can’t talk, your presence can be just as much a part of a conversation or experience.
-Laughter is inevitable. One night when we were walking from the hot flumes to the warm springs in the freezing rain, Taylor slipped on the slippery wooden deck and ended up in a cheerful pile on the floor with a wtf just happened look on her face. Not wanting to break my vow of silence unless absolutely necessary, I just stared at her to make sure she was ok. She popped up + we busted out in uncontrollable laughter ... and weren’t able to stop for almost 10 minutes. 😂

Have you ever taken a day of silent retreat? Or done a silent Vipassana retreat? What observations surprised you? #hotspringjunky

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## Tags

hotspringjunky

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