FAQ | Mystic7

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We look forward to providing YOU a safe and pleasant atmosphere to experience SILENCE OF THE MIND and your innate EXPERIENCE AS SOURCE

Where is the Samadhi Retreat? We are located in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas about an hour southwest of Tyler, and about 1.5 hours south of Dallas. See us on Google Maps in the "footer" below.

Is the whole retreat silent? Not exactly! What we normally consider as silence is environmental, or a quiet external atmosphere. The whole purpose of the Samadhi Silent Retreat is to discover and develop "Silence Of The Mind", which is an internal mental stillness, marked by the absence of thinking. You can achieve Samadhi or “Silence Of The Mind,” while chanting mantras as a group, which you will be doing every day. You can be in a state of silence while we are listening to the Yoga Instructor lead you in asana practice. You can be in silence while you listen to the spiritual discourses led by David Browning; or while listening to guided meditations, or Tibetan bowl meditations. Silence of the Mind is a rare and beautiful beginning to a practice that leads ultimately to self-realization as the Source.

Is there anything I should know before I come to a Silent Retreat? It would be a great idea to become familiar with the Mystic 7 which are the 7 Source Experiences a person has while waking up into the Enlightened Mind, as well as the Principles used for self-inquiry as one awakens. The PDF book: The Mystic's Guide To Enlightenment will be provided to you when you register. We recommend you read Section One before you arrive. David will reference these Experience/Principles frequently throughout the retreat.

What makes a Samadhi Silent Retreat different than other Silent Retreats? Recently we had two participants who had gone to Silent Retreats with other organizations and this is what they have told us: -"The odds are stacked higher [at Samadhi Retreat] for having better and more profound experiences of deep meditation and Spiritual breakthroughs" -"Samadhi Retreat is a more pleasant experience, even in silence there is a fun atmosphere due to David's light-hearted personality, and lack of seriousness." -"At Samadhi there is 'no purification through pain', you are encouraged to make yourself as comfortable as possible, even sitting in a chair, using bolsters, pillows, and blankets; lying down, drinking tea during discourses, comfort counts!!" -"Multiple breaks including a two-hour lunch and an hour and a half dinner break allow for unmonitored free time to dive deeper into the blossoming awareness." -"Diversity is rampant and the flow is great, the changing scenery from morning yoga to chanting, to breathing exercises, to guided meditations, to silent meditations, to discourses, to contemplation walks, to evening Satsang, with snacks or meals every couple of hours keeps you interested, moving, and engaged." -"The opportunity for transformation is present, palpable and enjoyable."

Even though advised, is it required to attend everything on the schedule, or may I have more time alone if needed? You may choose which events you feel inclined to join. We encourage you to follow your own guidance. Recently we had an attendee who was simply here for the SILENCE OF THE MIND. She was encouraged to do whatever she felt compelled to do regarding group activities.... she did, in fact, participate in all activities, but it was entirely her option.

Do you have a list of things I should bring with me? Yes, we've made a list of things that would be great to bring with you, phone numbers, and other things that you may want to bring with you. Please see the Pre-Arrival Packet for all the information you may need to prepare for your 3-Day Silent Retreat.

I have bad knees. Do I have to participate in the yoga sessions? No, you do not have to participate in the yoga sessions. However, we would like to suggest that you try a modified version of the yoga positions from a seated position just to receive some benefit from this relaxing practice that helps to settle the mind and make it ready for the deep states of meditation you can expect during the retreat. We do very gentle beginners level yoga during the retreats.

Are the activities indoors or outdoors? I mainly ask because I am concerned about the heat. All organized activities are indoors. Unlike other silent retreats, you will have ample free time each day for walks in the woods or sitting on the dock or relaxing on the covered patio..... but you can feel free to rest inside in the climate controlled spaces during that time. There is a two-hour lunch break and an hour and a half dinner break in which you will have personal time all to yourself as The Source.

What is included in the vegetarian meals for the 3-day retreat? I'm not a big fan of veggies but I like the idea of the retreat. If I don't like what is served may I bring my own food/snacks? We totally understand your concern!!! Of course, you may bring your own snacks, but you will not have an opportunity to cook or prepare meals. One of the benefits of the Retreat is that you will have No Responsibilities, any added thing that you do beyond the scheduled curriculum will take away from your experience. One of the reasons we eat a vegetarian diet is that it creates a physical environment that is conducive to deep meditation. Most of the guests at our retreats have not been vegetarians either..... we're in Texas for heaven's sake!!!! That being said, we have the most wonderful menu. There are a variety of soups, breakfast tacos, grilled quesadillas, flat-bread pizzas, quinoa Chili, sandwiches, a variety of hummus and salads. Platters of tasty fruits and snacks are always available on breaks. We know you'll be pleasantly surprised. One of the most common comments after the retreats is how WONDERFUL the vegetarian menu was.

I love the music/chanting you use during the retreat, what was the name of that group? We play lots of chanting by different groups, but the largest selection of chanting music is from our favorite Texas group, The Bhakti House Band. Please support their music and if you get up to Fort Worth, they throw an awesome house party, Bhakti Bash.

I plan on paying for a private room. It there a lock on the door? Is it possible to choose my room or is it chosen for me? There are 2 private rooms and both lock from the inside, they are standard bedroom doors and not key entry, there is also one private room that does not lock, it is a very unique "bell tower" room. You may choose which of the rooms you prefer as long as they are available.

My husband and I both want to come to a Silent Retreat, can we sleep in the same bed? Co-Registrants: Because of the nature of a Silent Retreat, you will want an opportunity to allow the mind to settle completely including no talking, gesturing, or physical contact with friends or significant others. If your co-registrant is your significant other or a close friend, it is highly advised that you do not share a private room, this will be explained in further detail during the introduction on your arrival. Whereas this is not a mandatory policy, you may want to take it into consideration, if purchasing private accommodations. CONTACT US for your options where this is concerned.

Will there be bathing facilities? Are they private? Will I have a private restroom in reserving my own room? There are two bathrooms that are shared among all retreat participants. There are no private restrooms. Participants elect to take morning, noon, or evening showers, so the restrooms are lightly used and there is rarely a waiting line.

What if I don't agree with what you are saying? What if it is completely different than my beliefs? Feel free to come just for the SILENCE OF MIND! You do not have to sit in on the discourses or question & answer sessions. David will tell you repeatedly to only trust your own inner guidance! You will have an opportunity to write comments and questions asking for further clarification that will be responded to during the question & answer sessions. Sometimes getting your buttons pushed makes space for new awareness and the dissolution of outgrown beliefs.

Do you teach Buddhism, Hinduism, or some other Eastern Religion? David embraces all religious traditions and may quote from some you are familiar with and some you are not familiar with. The principles of the Mystic 7 often sound like the mystic teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, and even mystic Christianity. It is not our goal to teach but to provide a space where you can have the direct personal EXPERIENCE AS SOURCE. We will provide some guidance, and then you will have your own revelations. These retreats give you the opportunity to (1) silence the body, so you can (2) silence the mind, so you can (3) experience yourself as Source. It will be helpful if you come with an open mind willing to let-go of old paradigms and be open to new awareness.

Can I bring my camera? I am a photographer and would love to be able to take some nature photos. Please feel free to arrive any time after 4:00 on Friday to take a walk in the woods and take all the pictures you like. Once the retreat begins, all communication stops and we encourage the mind to stop its usual processing. This would include even the right brain creative tasks and the composition and mental processing associated with your art form. We want you to have the best of all worlds, so please plan to come early and satisfy your love of nature and photography.

Can I arrive early just to get settled in? Yes, you can arrive as early as 4:00! We especially encourage arriving early during the winter months when it gets dark early. The Samadhi Retreat is not easy to find at night for the first time. All participants will need to arrive by 6:00 on Friday for dinner and be prepared to go into Silence about 8:00 pm that night in order to receive as much time as possible in the state of stillness.

Why SILENT Retreats? You might be surprised to find out that all the mental stimulation we entertain ourselves with, from phones to TV's to computers, even books and music, politics, and gossip, is actually masking our own Self-Realization that we are the Source. In the beginning, we start to achieve silence of the mind or "Samadhi" with verbal silence, then we begin to achieve mental silence, and sometimes in the midst of the silence, we can have brief glimpses of Self-Realization in a Source Experience. Source Experiences are crucial to Awakening into the enlightened mind, knowing the Oneness of everything, and living in sustainable bliss. At a Samadhi Silent Retreat, we expect to introduce you to real silence of the mind so you can begin living a life of unequivocal bliss, in Unity.

What is the difference between Vipassana and Samadhi retreats? Enlightenment Can Be A Blast! By Jason Reagan 10/9/15 “Wow, this was so much fun, so light hearted, so humorous, yet profoundly deep and practically inspiring.” These were my thoughts at the end of the 3-Day Samadhi Silent Retreat in Athens, TX. With my history of attending two Vipassana 10-day silent retreats I have a unique perspective of how each benefited me and how they compare. I can say with full conviction that both styles have powerfully affected me, my first Vipassana being the catalyst for the most major life change ever thus far. That said, the Samadhi retreat delivered more value in less time and with more tangible benefits. I would gleefully choose to do another Samadhi retreat, which I cannot say the same for Vipassana. The most notable standout from my experience was how much freaking fun it was! During the first evening discourse David Browning, founder and instructor of the Samadhi Retreat & Meditation Center, made the statement that indeed enlightenment can be a blast, which is a far cry from most orthodox silent retreats throughout history. The remainder of the retreat proved he wasn’t kidding. It was a jubilant time for me, and I suspect the others as well. There was so much laughter! This was such a pleasant surprise for me, as my background is only one of rigid, silent retreats who take themselves very seriously. So often I would catch David beaming a smile as he explained the philosophies of what we were doing. It’s so obvious to me that he ‘gets it’ because of his light heartedness. I don’t believe a person with actual Source experiences in their lifetime could be anything but jovial, and joviality is David’s nature (although he would argue that his nature is everything). The emphasis on comfortability was another big deal for me. So often meditation practices encourage pain as a focal point or to be driven through, but not here. Instead, they insist we be as comfortable as possible so that we may concentrate on the goal: Silencing Our Mind, which is difficult when thinking “ouch, ouch ouch”. We were allowed to sit however we wanted, or even to lay down the entire time. I really believe one of the reasons I had so many mind blowing experiences was because I was constantly comfortable and able to concentrate fully. Autonomy is very valuable to me and I’m pleased to say I didn’t have to give it up during the 3 day retreat. Once again, compared to the Vipassana retreats, I didn’t have restrictions on what I could do with my time. Many of us sipped tea between the meditations and if anything occurred we could get up and leave the room freely. Being able to do what pleased me during personal time was even better. I did daily calisthenics and yoga in the sunshine, and then explored the forest at my leisure. The evening Bhajan concerts alone were worth it! In case you are wondering how a concert fits into a “silent” retreat, remember the aim is silence of the mind, and singing in unison with mesmerizing, transcendental music fit the bill perfectly. Also, it was a blast! Enlightenment has never been this fun for me, and glimpsing enlightenment was only the beginning as we journeyed beyond enlightenment in the truest sense. Naturally my deep, personal experiences with what I call God source was the only real reason for attending. I can graphically recall a couple that I’ve never encountered until now. The first was using a Koan (paradoxical question with no answer) and venturing out into the forest awaiting an enlightened perspective. It occurred to me more than once I’m pleased to report and in mere minutes. The wisdom I gleaned from it stays with me today and helps me in my daily life. The most powerful experience I had was literally indescribable but I’ll do my best. During one of the chanting practices something snuck up and hit me, which felt like an instant shot of euphoria more powerful than any opiate. I was immersed in a feeling of total bliss and cosmic unity, and this happened a total of 15 times (!) during that one session. It’s the kind of experience that makes you feel like life is complete and you can go now. The whole weekend was an adventure of self-discovery. If more people knew how pleasing the process can be, on top of the indescribable after effect benefits, I believe the masses would agreeably adopt these types of practices. There is no fear to be had. It is benefit atop benefit. The Samadhi retreat in particular was all win for me. It was hilariously fun, comfortably pleasant, and so richly diverse in its activities that I received more from the 3 days there than all 20 of the combined days of my former retreats.

Real truth waits quietly inside to be heard when we are ready.

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