Into the Silence: Discover the Power Within
Returning to Myself: How a Silent Retreat Changed My Life
by Jeanne Hoag

A few years ago, I found myself longing for something I couldn’t quite name. Life was full—full of responsibilities, full of people, full of noise. Yet despite all the activity, I felt disconnected from something essential: myself.

As a self-realized meditation teacher, I regularly shared practices with others—guided visualizations, breathing techniques, chanting—but none quite hit the mark for my own deeper needs. I wasn’t just looking for calm. I was craving stillness. That’s when I discovered Vipassana meditation, one of the oldest meditation techniques rooted in the Buddhist tradition. It’s practiced in complete silence and focuses on observing thoughts and bodily sensations without judgment. It sounded simple—and profoundly transformative.

Then I learned the commitment: ten days of total silence. No talking, no phones, no reading, no journalling. Just me and my mind.

Terrifying? A little. Necessary? Absolutely.

I signed up.

When I told my husband Dale, he surprised me by saying he wanted to join, too. We both felt the need to unplug in a meaningful way. As a couple, the challenge was even greater—we wouldn’t be allowed to speak, or make eye contact, the entire time. In the meditation hall, we’d sit together in silence, like strangers.
From the moment I surrendered my phone and my voice, I stepped into a different world. The first day was rough—my thoughts were loud, my discomfort louder. But by day three, something shifted. The mental chatter began to slow. I became more aware of what I was feeling—not just on the surface, but deep down. Buried thoughts and long-ignored emotions rose gently to the surface.

There was nowhere to run. And strangely, I didn’t want to. I had finally found the space to just be.
What once felt like oppressive silence, became sacred. It held me, challenged me, and ultimately healed me. I left that retreat feeling mentally clear, emotionally balanced, and spiritually grounded in a way I’d never experienced before.

And something shifted in me permanently. I realized silence isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. A refuge. A place where we can strip away the world’s noise and finally hear ourselves again.

Why I’m Hosting My Own Retreat

Since that first Vipassana experience, friends and clients often ask me about it with curiosity—and hesitation. A full ten-day silent retreat can feel daunting and out of reach, especially with work, family, and life responsibilities.

I used to believe that anything less than ten days couldn’t go deep enough—until a close friend and fellow energy practitioner shared her experience attending two separate three-day silent retreats. She described them as profoundly transformational. That conversation planted a seed. Silence isn’t empty—it’s full of answers.

It inspired me to create a three-day all-inclusive silent retreat, designed to offer a powerful but more accessible entry point into the world of deep stillness.

This isn’t about replicating the full Vipassana experience in miniature. It’s a gateway—a chance to step back from the outer world and reconnect with the inner one, even just for a weekend.

At this retreat, participants will be gently guided through silence with daily meditation, mindful movement, time in nature, nourishing meals, and space to simply rest. No phones. No speaking. Just presence. The silence will feel supportive—not intimidating. Whether you’re new to meditation or just seeking a mental reset, this retreat is an opportunity to experience the clarity, peace, and grounding that arise when the noise fades away.

You don’t have to go away for ten days to benefit from silence. Even three days—when held with intention—can be deeply transformative.

What You Might Discover

During my own silent retreat, I realized how often I override my own instincts in the rush to meet external expectations. In the silence, I finally heard myself clearly. I grieved unprocessed emotions. I gained insight into limiting patterns. And yes, I laughed (internally) at how noisy my mind could be without distractions like screens, or small talk.

That’s the gift of silence: it doesn’t demand anything from you. It doesn’t push or preach. It simply reveals what’s already there, waiting for your attention.

I’ve seen how powerful this experience can be—not just for me, but for so many others. That’s why I feel so called to create a space where people can drop into stillness without fear or pressure. You don’t have to be an experienced meditator. You don’t have to “do it right.” You just have to show up—and be willing to listen inwardly.

An Invitation to Pause

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or just exhausted by life’s noise, I invite you to consider stepping into silence—not as an escape, but as a return. A return to clarity, to presence, to your most essential self.

This upcoming three-day retreat isn’t about isolation. It’s about connection—with your breath, your body, your truth. And I’ll be there alongside Dale and Brenda, co-facilitators holding the space with love, knowing how powerful even a short pause can be.

Sometimes, the most important conversations we’ll ever have are the ones we hold in silence.

Jeanne Hoag, and her husband Dale, are respected spiritual/energy healers, teachers, and transformational retreat leaders with years of experience guiding others on the path of healing and inner growth. Known for their grounded wisdom and heart-centred presence, they offer twice-yearly, three-day all-inclusive transformational retreats designed to support deep self-discovery. This year, they are expanding their offerings to include a three-day all-inclusive Silent Retreat, inspired by the profound impact silence has on emotional clarity and spiritual awakening. They are delighted to welcome Brenda Zahn—energy practitioner, meditation guide, and long-time friend—as co-host for this inaugural event. After attending two silent retreats, Brenda was deeply moved by the experience and felt called to share the transformative power of silence with others. She brings not only her background in energy healing and mindfulness, but also her firsthand experience with extended silent meditation, and a deep passion for helping others reconnect with themselves through stillness and reflection. Together, Dale, Jeanne, and Brenda offer a safe, nurturing, and sacred space for anyone ready to pause the noise and listen inward. For more details and contact information, see the full page display ad on page 31 of the 31.2 July/August issue of the WHOLifE Journal.