Podcasts about silent retreat

This talk was given by Andrew Chapman at the Imperfect, Impersonal, Impermanent Meditation Retreat on Jan. 28th - Feb. 1st, 2026 in Sewanee, TN. These are the first afternoon instruction on practicing with dukkha. Enjoy! Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.orgDONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit:https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donateFollow Us on Socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildheartnashville/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildheartmeditation

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comSally is a journalist, columnist, TV commentator, author, wife to Ben Bradlee, and legendary DC hostess. Who better to talk to about the implosion of The Washington Post? She also founded the Post's religion website, “On Faith.” She's the author of six books, including the spiritual memoir Finding Magic, and We're Going to Make You a Star — about her time at “CBS Morning News.” Her latest novel is Silent Retreat, and she's now working on a memoir called Never Invite Sally Quinn. Her energy at 84 is, well, humbling. We had a blast.For two clips of our convo — on Sally's initial impression of Bezos, and the time Bill Clinton called her the b-word — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born in Savannah, GA, and learning voodoo as a kid; moving as an Army brat; her general dad who captured Göring and helped create the CIA; at Smith College wanting to be an actress; rebelling against Vietnam and the wishes of her dad by marrying Bradlee; the Georgetown party circuit and how it's grown more partisan; throwing a pajama party for Goldwater; dating Hunter S. Thompson; Watergate and Woodstein; the Grahams; Tom Stoppard; Hitchens; Howell Raines; Newt's revolution; Bill's womanizing; Hillary defending her cheater; the Monica frenzy; Obama rising on merit; Barack the introvert; Jerry Brown; the catastrophe of Biden running in 2024; Dr. Jill's complicity and cruelty; Jon Meacham; Maureen Dowd; David Ignatius; Bradlee's dementia; declining trust in journalism; Bezos nixing the Harris endorsement; his life with Lauren Sanchez; sucking up to Trump; the Will Lewis debacle; Sally's spiritual life; silent retreats; Zen meditation; the humor in Buddhism; the denial of death; debating the the Golden Rule; children in Gaza; and the need more than ever for in-person gatherings.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Jeffrey Toobin on the pardon power, Michael Pollan on consciousness, Derek Thompson on abundance, Matt Goodwin on the UK political earthquake, Jonah Goldberg on the state of conservatism, Tom Holland on the Christian roots of liberalism, Tiffany Jenkins on privacy, Adrian Wooldridge on “the lost genius of liberalism,” and Kathryn Paige Harden on the genetics of vice. As always, please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com. A listener writes:Thanks for all these good episodes. Is Vivek still planning to be a guest soon? I have been looking forward to that episode.He got cold feet. Too bad. On the other hand, I tend to avoid active politicians. Because they're rarely as candid as I'd like a guest to be. Oh well.A fan of last week's pod who lives near Atlanta writes, “The longtime Dishheads on the Mableton cul-de-sac definitely approve of your interview with homegrown talent Zaid Jilani”:I agree with his description of Mableton as a bit like the United Nations; I see that diversity in our grocery stores and local restaurants. He mentioned how he was often the only Pakistani and thus perceived as a nonthreatening minority. It makes me wonder how much the diversity mix affects how people perceive immigration? If a large group from one country arrives, does that seem more like an invasion? If a similar number arrives but from a wide range of locations, does that seem more like the normal American melting pot?After 30 years of living in Mableton, this may partly explain why I am not bothered by immigration in the way that you are, Andrew. I expect to see and hear all sorts of people wherever I go in my neighborhood. Today the teller at the bank spoke accented English. There are regular clerks at my grocery store who are immigrants. Our new HVAC was installed by immigrants. As an Atlanta suburb, there are many people descended from African slaves. European ancestry is merely one possibility off the long colorful menu around here.I think pace and numbers matter. A slower pace and fewer — with no massive homogenous populations arriving at once. And a new emphasis on Americanization over “multiculturalism”.From a listener who wants to “Make Democrats Great Again”:Great conversation with Zaid Jilani last week. I am very concerned that hardly any Democrats are being at all introspective, trying to figure out where they went wrong and how to become a party that can actually win elections — maybe even hearts and minds. They are only defined as anti-Trump, and their only hope is for Trump to go down in flames — which he very well might, but all they aspire to is winning as the least-worst party.The policy directions for reclaiming sanity and moderate voters are obvious (to me, at least). Here are my top three issues:1. AffordabilityThe longest lever to affect affordability is housing. Democrats have been complete failures in this regard, with strongholds like California and NYC being the least affordable places. When they talk about “affordable housing,” they only mean housing that is forced below market rate for the few poor people lucky enough to get it. They offer no solutions for the middle class or young people.The solution is obvious: build more. Plough through the various restrictions that are preventing housing from being built. There is no reason housing can't be cheap, except for NIMBY politics. Scott Weiner in California has been doing great work on this.Health care is the second-longest affordability lever. Obamacare made some progress, but not nearly enough, especially in terms of keeping costs down. But I'm not sure we're ready for another push on this; I say focus on housing.2. ImmigrationObviously there should be some immigration, and obviously we have structured our economy such that many jobs are only done by immigrants. But the Democrats' policy of simply not enforcing immigration law is untenable, especially for a group asking to be put in charge of law enforcement. We need those migrant workers, so find a way for them be here legally. Not through amnesty, but through some sort of bureaucratic process: have the employers fill out a form; have the prospective worker fill out a form in some office in Mexico; have someone process the form; and give them a green card.This is simple stuff! And yes, it would be helpful to admit that open borders, sanctuary cities, and subverting the law were not good ideas.3. CultureEnd wokeness. America is not a country consumed by white supremacy, and the people who voted for Trump are not racists. There are hardly any racists! And drop the other insanities, like the trans stuff.The message needs to be, “We are the Democrats and we want to help anybody from any state who needs help.” Hard to convince struggling white people in the South that you're going to help them when you seem to despise them. Love your brother, for crying out loud. And naturally, today's woke Democrats would be much more accepting of this message if it came from a racial minority candidate.Another wanted to hear more:I wish you had asked Zaid about Josh Shapiro. Also, when Zaid talked about affordability, he never mentioned housing — which is why there are so many ex-Californians in his home state of Georgia and elsewhere. “Build Baby Build” should be the slogan of the Democratic Party, rather than gaslighting Americans into believing housing prices will come down because we are getting rid of immigrants (Vance).Here's a dissent:About 20:30 into your interview with Zaid Jilani, he said that the root of all the Abrahamic faiths is that the meek have rights. You replied that this applied more to Christianity and Islam than to Judaism. I say this neither rhetorically nor to admonish you, but how much do you know about Judaism? Your comment is completely mistaken. Just what do you think Judaism says about the meek?Another has examples:In Genesis, you find that all humans were created b'tzelem Elohim (in the image of God). Moreover, Jewish texts consistently frame care for the poor as a legal obligation and moral imperative, not mere charity. Every Jewish child learns that promoting economic justice is mandated. It is called tzedakah.This religious mandate has manifested itself in the real world. Jews have been disproportionately represented in social justice movements aimed at promoting human equality. It wasn't an accident that two of three civil rights movement activists murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi by the Ku Klux Klan were Jewish.Points taken. Big generalizations in a chat can be dumb. My quarrel may be semantic: the meek is not merely the weak. It's about the quiet people, those easily trampled upon. Like many of Jesus' innovations, it takes a Jewish idea further.Another listener on the Zaid pod:I wonder if you ever play the game of “which time would you like to go back to”? I do! And only half-jokingly, I often say 1994 in DC. Something about, for example, Christopher Hitchens on CSPAN in a dreary suit jacket discussing such *trivial* aspects of politics in a serious way. How perfect! When I listened to your episode with Zaid Jilani about how the left can win, it seemed dated to about this period in the early ‘90s.Ah yes, the Nineties. They were heady times and I think we all kinda realized it at the time. The economy was booming, crime was plummeting, Annie Leibovitz took my picture, and we had the luxury of an impeachment over a b*****b. Good times.On another episode, a listener says I have a “rose-colored view of President Obama”:In your conversation with Jason Willick, you said that Obama was a stickler for proper procedure and doing things the right way. I might instance, on the other side:* Evading the constitutional requirements on treaties in pursuit of the Iran deal (an evasion that the Republicans were stupid enough to go along with)* Encouraging the regulatory gambit of “sue and settle”* The “Dear Colleague” letter* “I've got a pen and a phone”Points taken. Especially the DACA move. But compared to Biden and Trump? Much better. One more listener email:I've been following you for years, but more recently I became a subscriber, and it's a decision I don't regret! I usually listen to the Dishcast over the weekend, and I always find it extremely stimulating, but there is also something relaxing about the length and scope of your conversations.I want to respond to something you said in your Claire Berlinski episode on the subject of Ukraine. Although I appreciate your position in defence of international law, you implied that Russia's claim to Ukrainian land is somehow “historically legitimate.” This is not only problematic from a logical standpoint (does Sweden have a historically legitimate claim to Finland and Norway, or does the UK have a claim to the Republic of Ireland, the US, and all its former colonies?), but also not based on historical reality.Unfortunately, this is not the first time your comments on Ukraine seem come through the prism of a Russian lens. I am sure it's not intentional; perhaps that's not a subject you have invested much time in, which is legitimate. However, I find it a bit surprising that, as we approach the fifth year of Russia's full-scale invasion, you still don't seem to have had the curiosity to explore this and invite any specialist on Ukraine. If Timothy Snyder is too political these days, I would recommend Serhii Plokhy — possibly the most eminent historian of Ukraine — or Yaroslav Hrytsak. They would each be a very interesting conversation.The Dishcast has featured many guests with expertise on the Ukraine war, including Anne Applebaum (twice), John Mearsheimer, Samuel Ramani (twice), Edward Luttwak, Fiona Hill (twice), Robert Wright, Robert Kaplan, Fareed Zakaria, Douglas Murray, Edward Luce, and Niall Ferguson.A reader responds to last week's column, “The President Of The 0.00001 Percent”:Like you, I'm not against people getting rich. A lot of good is done by a few people who have enough money to seed research and the arts, and pursue things that ordinary worker bees would never have the margin of time or resources to pursue. Good so far.But all strong forces need regulation and/or protective barriers, whether it's the weather, sex, patriotism, or capitalism. What's going on now is obscene. Progressive taxation is a social good: it doesn't stop anyone from getting richer and richer; it doesn't remove the positive motivators for success; it just means that the farther they get, the higher their proportionate contribution to the system that lets them get there. There are various ways to tweak the dials, but there is nothing philosophically wrong with tweaking them in a way the sets some outer limit. Let it be very high, but let it not be infinite.Here's a familiar dissent:You were right to torch the nihilism of the .00001 class. You were right to call out moral evasions. But when you referred to “the IDF's massacre of children in Gaza,” you collapsed a morally and legally distinct reality into a slogan. Words matter. “Massacre” implies intent. It suggests that the deliberate killing of children is policy rather than tragic consequence. That is a serious charge, and it deserves serious evidence.The governing reality in Gaza is not that Israel woke up one morning and decided to target children.

  It's another brain wrinkling Wednesday as Father Koys reflects on his silent retreat and acts as our spiritual advisor. The purpose of the silent retreat is to remove the distractions in order to find that you are not alone in your solitude. Father Tom also gives us a strategy to remember the names of the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish 

In this episode we'll look at where attention naturally wants to go…and where attention might be going in ways that are unwanted. The more we have in our lives and around us that demand attention, the less free attention there is for exploring direct experience. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, and only a few spots remain. You can check out all the details at dramyjohnson.com/newmexico The post EP391: Pruning life so attention can go where you want it to go appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

  https://www.uncommen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Church-Hurt.mp3 Quick Answers Is church hurt real? Yes. It isn't just "feelings"; it is often the result of broken trust, bad teaching, or leadership failure. Should I stay home? While isolation feels safe, the "PJs and YouTube" model cannot replace the community and accountability of the local church. How do I start healing from church hurt? Healing begins by separating the character of God from the failures of men and re-engaging with Scripture for yourself. What if it wasn't "hurt"? Sometimes what we call "hurt" is actually the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin through a difficult message. Is there a "Plan B"? The local church remains God's "Plan A" for the world, despite the fact that it is filled with broken people. The Invisible Scar Man, you've been there. You walk into a lobby, the smell of cheap coffee hits you, and suddenly your chest tightens. You remember the meeting behind closed doors, the legalistic comment made about your family, or the pastor who turned out to be someone completely different behind the scenes. You aren't "weak" for feeling this. You are reacting to a breach of a sacred trust. When we talk about healing from church hurt, we have to start by acknowledging that the pain is legitimate. For many men, the church was supposed to be the one place where they didn't have to keep their guard up. When that environment becomes the source of the wound, the natural instinct is to retreat, bunker down, and vow never to get burned again. But here is the hard truth: staying in the bunker won't heal the wound; it only lets it fester into cynicism. Defining the Damage: Hurt vs. Conviction One of the most important steps in healing from church hurt is identifying exactly what happened. In our current culture, "hurt" has become a catch-all term, but there is a massive difference between being wounded by a person and being convicted by the Truth. The podcast hosts made a vital distinction: if you left a church because the pastor talked about lust, greed, or pride, and it made you "feel some kind of way," that isn't church hurt. That is the Holy Spirit doing His job. Real healing from church hurt involves a gut-check. Are you mad at the messenger because the message was true? Or were you truly mistreated by a "broken, sinful person" in a position of authority? If a leader used their platform to shame you, manipulate you, or offer bad theology in the face of tragedy—like the story of the pastor telling a grieving family their daughter's accident was due to their sin—that is a legitimate wound that requires a process of restoration. The "PJs and YouTube" Trap Since the COVID-19 era, many men have traded the sanctuary for the sofa. It feels safer. You can't get burned by a screen. You can change the channel the moment the teaching gets too close to home. But this "pseudo-soul feeding" is a dangerous substitute for the real thing. Healing from church hurt cannot happen in total isolation. You were designed for the "gathering of the saints". When you stay home, you lose the iron-sharpening-iron accountability that keeps a man sharp. You lose the opportunity to serve and be served. You might feel "fed" by a podcast, but you aren't known by a community. Broken People in a Holy Place We often forget that the church is not a showroom for saints, but a hospital for sinners. Every person in that building, from the guy in the front row to the man behind the pulpit, is a "broken, sinful person" just like you. When we expect perfection from the local church, we set ourselves up for resentment. Healing from church hurt requires us to adjust our expectations. We don't go to church because the people are perfect; we go because the God they serve is. As the podcast mentioned, "Hurt people, hurt people". Recognizing the humanity of those who hurt you doesn't excuse their behavior, but it can be the first step toward the forgiveness that sets you free. The Role of Scripture in Your Recovery If you want to move toward healing from church hurt, you have to stop being "spoon-fed". A major cause of spiritual wounding is a lack of personal biblical literacy. If you don't know the Word for yourself, you are vulnerable to "false teachers" or "misinformed" leaders who spout nonsense as if it were Gospel. You need to "crave the Bible" and study it enough so that if someone quotes it incorrectly, you catch it immediately. When your foundation is built on the actual text of Scripture rather than a personality behind a pulpit, your faith becomes much harder to shake. Healing from church hurt often starts with a man opening his own Bible and saying, "Lord, show me who You really are, regardless of what that last guy said." Five Practical Steps for Healing from Church Hurt 1. Separate God from His "Salesmen" The biggest casualty of church hurt is often our view of God. We assume that because a leader was cruel, God is cruel. Because a church was disorganized, God is chaotic. Healing from church hurt requires you to consciously decouple the Creator from the flawed people who claim to represent Him. 2. Practice "70 x 7" Forgiveness The podcast reminded us that we are called to forgive "seventy times seven". This isn't a suggestion; it's a command for our own survival. Holding onto bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Healing from church hurt isn't about saying what happened was "okay"; it's about handing the debt over to God so you don't have to carry the ledger anymore. 3. Seek a "New Model" If the "model" of church you were in featured sarcasm, control, or heresy, it's time to find a healthy community. Not every church is like the one that burned you. Look for a "Church Home" where the leaders invite you to "do your own research" and read along in the Word. 4. Engage in "Breath Prayers" When the anxiety of re-entering a church space hits, use small physical and spiritual shifts. A simple prayer like "Lord, give me peace" can reset your nervous system. These small acts of trust are vital components of healing from church hurt. 5. Stop the "Silent Retreat" Tell a trusted friend what happened. Silence is where shame and bitterness grow. By bringing the hurt into the light, you rob it of its power. A key to healing from church hurt is realizing you aren't the only one who has walked this path. When It's Time to Move On There is a time for reconciliation, and there is a time for relocation. If the teaching in your current environment is "straight up the opposite of what the Lord said," you have an obligation to lead yourself and your family elsewhere. Healing from church hurt sometimes looks like a clean break from a toxic environment so you can find a place where the Gospel is actually preached. However, make sure you are leaving because of "legitimate church hurt" and not just because the truth got uncomfortable. If you find yourself "changing the channel" every time a pastor mentions a sin you're struggling with, the problem isn't the church—it's the heart. The Goal: A Restored Spirit The ultimate goal of healing from church hurt isn't just to get you back into a seat on Sunday. It's to ensure that you don't "turn your back on your faith" because of a human being's failure. Your relationship with Jesus is too valuable to be held "hostage" by the actions of a broken leader. God wants you to have a "settled kind of calm" that isn't based on a perfect church experience, but on His presence. As you navigate the road of healing from church hurt, remember that Jesus Himself was "hurt" by the religious establishment of His day. He knows the sting of betrayal, and He is the only one who can truly bind up those wounds. FAQs on Healing from Church Hurt How do I know if I'm ready to try a new church? If you can talk about your past experience without a flare-up of intense anger, you are making progress. Healing from church hurt is a journey; you don't have to be 100% "fine" to walk through the doors of a healthy church. What if my wife wants to go, but I'm still too hurt? Be honest with her. Don't just "stay home in your PJs" and let her go alone. Take small steps together. Perhaps start with a small group or a mid-week service where the pressure feels lower. Does "healing from church hurt" mean I have to trust the old leaders again? Forgiveness is mandatory; trust is earned. You can forgive someone for hurting you without putting yourself back under their authority. Is online church enough? Online resources are great supplements, but they aren't a replacement for "the gathering of the saints". You need to be in a room where people know your name and your story. A Challenge for the Wounded Man Don't let a bad experience with a "model" of a man or a church define your eternity. The world will try to convince you that the church is obsolete or toxic, but God calls it His Bride. The challenge today is to take one small step toward healing from church hurt. Pick up your Bible. Reach out to a brother. Decide that your faith is worth more than your past pain. If you are going to be something, be uncommon. Check out our other resources in our library. Follow Our Podcast on Apple | Spotify

This episode explores what it means to be energetically open versus closed, why and how we open and close, and what being open (versus closed) does for our vitality, wellbeing, and relationships. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at dramyjohnson.com/newmexico/ The post EP390: Open and closed appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

How I survived a silent Buddhist retreat, and other thoughts on the commodity of our attention!Welcome back to another episode, if you enjoy this, please send it to a friend and consider leaving me a review ♥️I will be off of Instagram for the foreseeable future perhaps until spring perhaps longer. If you want to get in contact, please email me at Jena ocean@gmail.com. I will still be accepting bookings for one-on-one work at Joyplay.org/bookings.

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor Barreca sits down with Caleb Hennigan to share a story about saying yes to God before having any idea what that yes would actually require.Less than a year after becoming Catholic, Caleb packed up his life, boarded a plane to Florida, and arrived at FOCUS new staff training with more excitement than clarity. He barely knew the prayers, didn't know many people, and quietly wondered if he belonged at all.Hoping to find his place and prove himself, Caleb stepped onto the soccer field during training — and moments later walked off with a serious knee injury that left him on crutches, in pain, and wrestling with doubt.What followed were weeks of discomfort, unexpected friendship, and people praying for healing when nothing seemed to change — until a silent retreat, a simple prayer, and a moment that would redefine how Caleb understood God's presence in his life.In This Episode You'll Hear:

I'll explore how to look at, and ultimately change, patterns in more detail.  I discuss how and why to reflect on patterns, how and why to communicate what's arising, and how and why to examine identity as part of this exploration. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at dramyjohnson.com/newmexico The post EP389: More on patterns appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Dr. Riz Ahmad could have been diagnosed with social anxiety, autism spectrum, and depression as a teenager. Instead, he became one of the most talented psychologists I've ever worked with.In this episode, Riz shares his journey from fear-driven perfectionist—completely fused with his mind and disconnected from his body—to an eight-week stay at a Zen Buddhist monastery that changed everything. What happened when his mind finally went quiet? And what does his story reveal about the dangers of how we label and treat human suffering today?A radically genuine conversation about ego, consciousness, and what mainstream psychology is missing. Visit Center for Integrated Behavioral HealthDr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine WebsiteYouTube @RadicallyGenuineDr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / XSubstack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillinInstagram @radicallygenuineContact Radically GenuineConscious Clinician CollectivePLEASE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)10% off Lovetuner click here

In this episode, I strongly encourage you to look at the beliefs you're living by. There may be conflicting beliefs. You may believe things you swear you don't believe. The only way to know – and for those beliefs to change – is to honestly and eagerly look and be willing to see what's there. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at dramyjohnson.com/newmexico/The post EP388: Beliefs you live by but didn't choose appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

In this episode, I speak to a question from a listener who says she chooses romantic partners who are not right for her because – in her words – they make her feel more worthy.  I talk her through some of the ways she can examine this pattern in depth, noticing the beliefs behind her behaviors, so she can see this with more objectivity and ultimately so it can change.***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at dramyjohnson.com/newmexico The post EP387: Choosing the wrong relationships: A question from a listener appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

There's a progression that seems to happen.You might say it's from gross to subtle. Where attention shifts from being absorbed in abstractions, thoughts, representations, and relationships…to attention moving to much more subtle energies like sensations, sensory input, and maybe something like intuition or perception.Identity is viewed in these different ways. From gross thought and beliefs being questioned, to more subtle physical and emotional reactions felt. As we sense at this more subtle level, the unraveling process seems to pick up some steam. Identity is seen through rapidly. Thoughts barely arise before they dissolve or fall away. Something like this is how the fabric of thought-based reality comes apart in the best possible way. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at https://dramyjohnson.com/silent-retreats-2026/ The post EP386: Special Rebroadcast: Unraveling Ego at the Feeling Level appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Being in silence is not about suppressing anything.  It's also not about creating anything, such as an environment of peace or thoughtlessness or anything like that. It's the exact opposite, actually. It's about leaving everything alone to simply be exactly what it is.“What it is” is constantly changing. It is totally unknowable. It's far too fluid to be known.  In silence, the self-ing process is more clearly seen. It's like seeing how a magic trick is done; you can't be fooled in quite the same way once it is seen. In that silence, the inherently safety in experience becomes obvious. The concept of safety is not even relevant there.  Consider steeping in this deep knowing in 5 days of silence with us in February. It would be an amazing way to start the new year. For better or worse, whatever comes and goes, things will not look the same afterward. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at https://dramyjohnson.com/silent-retreats-2026/The post EP385: Special Rebroadcast: Noise is Silence Shouting appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Check out this encore show from December 4, 2025 Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris joins Patrick in studio to discuss Silent Prayer What is he language of God? (8:42) Jan - Silence. There is a silence that exists after the guests go home. There is joy when guests come and the silence after they leave is saddening. Can you help me appreciate this more? (13:14) silence as an invitation to prayer (15:39) Judy - I thought I was going to go mad during silent Adoration. I thought I could find comfort but could not. Can you help? (19:50) Break 1 (21:05) Email from MT – Why do sins seem to become really profound when I am in silence and especially before receiving the Eucharist? Maureen - I wonder if the devil is trying to disquiet people in adoration who have trouble with silence? (26:57) Ben - I am a seminarian. I want to share that silence has helped with my vocation and discernment. I would not be here without it. (31:17) Nicole - I wanted to go on a Silent Retreat but now have to cancel. I find it hard to put myself in silence. How can I make a spiritual retreat for myself. (36:51) Break 2 Mark - Talking about silence. My grandfather starting going on silent retreats during the 1950s. We used to go on a yearly silent retreat. Some years I couldn’t wait to talk but other years I couldn't wait. (43:16) David - Going to Adoration really trained me to be in the Presence of the Lord. What is the correlation of creating space in our hearts for silence and making room for our Lord?

What if 95% of attention and energy went toward sensing, feeling, and intuition, and 5% went toward the use of thought? That ratio is typically reversed. I'll explore this with regard to being with trauma, brainstorming and problem solving, and self inquiry.***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at dramyjohnson.com/newmexico The post EP384: 95/5 appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

In this episode, we'll explore how to end habitual psychological patterns such as reactivity, shutting down, becoming controlling or hypervigilant, or eating or drinking. The way to end a pattern – very oversimplified – is to become deeply familiar with the elements of the pattern and stay open, rather than react, when the pattern begins. ***I will be leading a Silent Retreat in Taos, New Mexico, February 22-27. The retreat will provide a supportive space for you to steep in your essential being. You'll immerse in what's always here, unchanging, beyond the pull of thoughts, feelings and identities, in the absence of everyday distractions and conditioning.The retreat is small, so space is limited. You can check out all the details at https://dramyjohnson.com/silent-retreats-2026/The post EP383: Staying open appeared first on Dr. Amy Johnson.

Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris joins Patrick in studio to discuss Silent Prayer What is he language of God? (8:42) Jan - Silence. There is a silence that exists after the guests go home. There is joy when guests come and the silence after they leave is saddening. Can you help me appreciate this more? (13:14) silence as an invitation to prayer (15:39) Judy - I thought I was going to go mad during silent Adoration. I thought I could find comfort but could not. Can you help? (19:50) Break 1 (21:05) Email from MT – Why do sins seem to become really profound when I am in silence and especially before receiving the Eucharist? Maureen - I wonder if the devil is trying to disquiet people in adoration who have trouble with silence? (26:57) Ben - I am a seminarian. I want to share that silence has helped with my vocation and discernment. I would not be here without it. (31:17) Nicole - I wanted to go on a Silent Retreat but now have to cancel. I find it hard to put myself in silence. How can I make a spiritual retreat for myself. (36:51) Break 2 Mark - Talking about silence. My grandfather starting going on silent retreats during the 1950s. We used to go on a yearly silent retreat. Some years I couldn’t wait to talk but other years I couldn't wait. (43:16) David - Going to Adoration really trained me to be in the Presence of the Lord. What is the correlation of creating space in our hearts for silence and making room for our Lord?

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

On this week's episode of ReBloom, we welcomed yoga and meditation guide Matthew D. Lyons, whose path reminds us tha t purpose rarely arrives all at once. More often, it appears in quiet signals that we only understand in hindsight. After nearly twenty-six years in politics and government relations, Matthew realized that the career he had built no longer aligned with what brought him joy. Looking back, he reflects, “I see that I was laying breadcrumbs for my heart a long time ago.”Those breadcrumbs eventually led him to leave his former profession and begin teaching yoga in Washington, D.C. What started with a single Bikram class opened the door to yin and restorative yoga, Yoga Nidrā, meditation, and sound healing — practices that helped him reconnect with what felt meaningful rather than merely impressive. Today, Matthew guides students toward presence, steadiness, and inner clarity. Through stillness-based practices, he invites others to pause, reassess, and follow what feels true. As he shared, “If it's truly your calling, it will keep calling you.”Matthew's story is not just about changing careers. It is about listening deeply, honoring what is real, and allowing life to unfold at a pace that feels human. Growth does not require perfection, only a willingness to begin.https://www.matthewdlyons.com/aboutBig thank you to our sponsor: Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

Originally recorded in January 2023. In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍

In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️‍