You are invited to just be.
Stepping into Silence is a 4-day immersive experience designed personally by Art of Living Founder, spiritual leader, and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for individuals carrying responsibility to experience inner silence in a fun and light atmosphere. It delights beginners to advanced meditators alike for its ease, simplicity, and proven results.
We put so much effort into doing, building, striving, learning, and accumulating. Even self-care can become another task on the list of things we should be doing or perfecting. Discover what happens when you pause, unwind and let go.
There is dynamism and power in silence. Silence creates space for us to listen to ourselves. It allows inspiration and creativity to rise up.
This retreat is designed for anyone striving to be your best self while holding responsibility for your company, for your family, for the world. We want to take care of you.
The Perfect Program Structure
What to Expect
Shram means effort in Sanksrit. An ashram is any place where everything is taken care of for you to experience the joy, deep rest, and revelations that wisdom and meditative practices uncover. Stepping into Silence takes place in the award-winning Art of Living Retreat Center—a place of pristine beauty designed by Gurudev to serve as an ashram for you.
Care
A team of wellness concierges will work with you to facilitate your experience before, during, and after the retreat to support an optimal experience and make your experience effortless. Let us care for you.
Nourish
A team of chefs trained in restorative cuisine delivers a delicious menu of organic freshly prepared vegetarian food designed to deeply nourish, heal, and facilitate a profound experience during the meditative practices you will experience. Our team will work with you to accommodate dietary requirements.
Rest
Retreat to the award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness each evening in rooms outfitted with queen beds, premium linens, and Ayurvedic body products.
Whether you are just beginning your meditation journey or hoping to go deeper into the practice, these few days will make the rest of your year more alive, productive, and full of energy. When you emerge from Stepping into Silence, you will feel recharged and refreshed, ready to take on all of your responsibilities with greater focus and unshakeable joy.
Profound Spiritual Immersion
Perfect Program Structure
Includes
- Daily yoga and meditation
- Wisdom tools and techniques
- Learning Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) and its benefits
- Contemplative silence
- Special guided meditations
- Experience the 7-levels of your existence
- Monthly reunions and reconnects
- Access to AOL meditation app
- Membership in our exclusive Facebook group.
Who is it for?
For those who have not taken the Happiness Program, an Art of Living Course, YESPlus, or SKY Breath meditation workshop and would like to learn the tools and techniques to begin a meditation practice and experience the power of silence—gentle, light, and easy.
The Silent Component
You’ll spend the first full day of the program learning breathing techniques and other tools to manage and calm the mind, which includes talking processes. You’ll enter into silence after dinner on day two. There are ample opportunities for questions during designated talking periods.
Please note, because we want to ensure you get the full experience, attending all of these sessions is important, so make your travel plans accordingly.
Day 1
7:30–9:30 pm The Secret of the Breath
Day 2
7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga
10:00 am–12:30 pm The Rhythms of Life
3:00–5:00 pm Deepening Our Experience
7:30–8:30 pm Practices to Calm the Chatter in the Mind
Day 3
7:30–8:30 am Daily Dive Group Practice
10:00 am–12:30 pm Step Into the Silent Zone
3:00–5:00 pm Soaking in the Silence
7:30–8:30 pm Wisdom to Deepen Your Silence and Q&A
Day 4
7:30–8:30 am Daily Dive Group Practice
10:00 am–12:30 pm Guided Meditations
3:00–5:00 pm Experiencing the Deeper Self
7:30–8:30 pm Understanding the Modes/Tendencies of the Mind and Q&A
Day 5
7:30–8:30 am Daily Dive Group Practice
10:00 am–1:00 pm Gradual move out of silence and returning home instruction
- Charlotte (CLT) is the closest airport to fly into.
- From CLT to Boone is a 2-hour ride. Book your travel according.
- Day 1 check-in time is 3:00 pm; dinner is included on this day.
- Day 5 checkout time is 10:00 am; we’re happy to hold your luggage in Registrations. Lunch is also included on your final day. Book your return flight anytime from 5:00 pm onward, keeping the commute and course session in mind.
Options for Transportation between CLT and AOLRC
| Name | Phone No. | Website |
| Hickory Hop Shuttle Service | 828.327.2340 | hickoryhop.com |
| High Country Limo | 828.898.9595 | highcountrylimo.com |
| High Country Black Car | 828.387.1977 | highcountryblackcarservice.com |
| John Olson’s Car Service | 704.608.8455 | |
| Blue Bird Transporation | 828.989.7286 | Blue Bird of Boone |
| Abby Cab | 828.475.2988 | abbycab.com |
| Uber or Lyft | Book on the app on arrival. |
On-Campus Program FAQs
Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
- Refunds are available (less a $50 processing fee) up to eight days before your program or stay.
- Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50 processing fee) is available if you give notice between seven and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following date of issue.
- No credit or refund is available if you cancel on the arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.
Yes, we ask that guests with food allergies simply inform us so we can communicate those needs to our chef. Typically, we label potential allergens such as gluten, dairy, and nuts.
We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.
