The Art of Living

Signature Retreat

Stepping Into
Silence Retreat

Quiet the mental chatter and step away from constant input. Over five guided days, experience breathwork, meditation, gentle yoga, nourishing meals, and a gradual transition into silence so you can return to clarity, steadiness, and ease.

No prior silent retreat experience required.
5-Day
Guided Retreat
Sudarshan Kriya
Meditation
Gentle
Yoga
Guided
Silence
Retreat Format 5 Days  |  Wed–Sun
Location Boone, North Carolina
Register Now
170,000+
Graduates in the U.S.
4.8/5
Average Guest Rating
Blue Ridge Mountains
380+ acres of peace, nature & renewal

Stepping Into Silence Retreat

Quiet the Mental Chatter. Come Back to Yourself.

When your mind is always processing, planning, and responding, even time off may not feel restorative. Stepping Into Silence is a guided 5-day retreat designed to help you step away from constant stimulation, settle the mind, and reconnect with the calm and clarity beneath the noise.

Through Sudarshan Kriya, gentle yoga, guided practices, nourishing meals, time in nature, and a gradual transition into silence, you are supported in doing something that can feel nearly impossible in everyday life: truly switching off.

Come as you are. No prior meditation or silent-retreat experience is required.

REGISTER NOW

Featured In

“Life changing”
“May be the fastest growing spiritual practice on the planet”
"Shows promise in providing relief for depression"
"Like Fresh air to millions"

In Their Own Words

Hear What Silence Made Possible

Guests describe what happened when they stepped away from work, conversation, and the momentum of daily life long enough to notice what was underneath.

In this short video, hear how the retreat helped participants feel calmer, more rested, more connected, and better able to meet life with clarity and steadiness.

Watch the 3-minute guest story ↓

★★★★★ 4.9/5
Rated by more than 1,800 Google reviewers

Live More Mindfully

Turn off mental chatter and quiet the mind,

See Your Patterns More Clearly

With fewer external demands competing for your attention, you can notice thoughts, emotions, and habits without immediately reacting to them.

Create Space to Heal

Silence, guided meditation, and a supportive environment give you room to acknowledge and process emotions often pushed aside in daily life.

Experience Effortless Calm

Return to stillness through breath, meditation, nature, and rest, so calm feels less forced and more naturally accessible.

The Science of the Breath

A Breath-Based Practice You Can Take Home

Sudarshan Kriya breath meditation is a central part of the retreat and gives participants a repeatable practice for settling the mind and reconnecting with the present moment after returning home.

Explore more than 100 independent studies
37%

Increased calm in 4 weeks 1

23%

Reduced anxiety in 6 weeks 2

31%

Reduction in insomnia 3

60%

Reduction in stress hormone “cortisol” in 3 months 4

25%

Increase in social connection in 4 weeks 1

34%

Reduced depression in 4 weeks 2

Research findings are shown as presented on the Art of Living Part 1 research page. Study populations, methods, and timelines vary. Select a numbered reference to review the underlying publication.

Key Highlights of the 5-Day Course

What Becomes Possible When the Noise Finally Settles

Five guided days create enough distance from daily stimulation to begin noticing meaningful shifts in attention, energy, and perspective.

Clearer Focus

Step away from notifications, decisions, and competing demands so your attention can become less fragmented and more steady.

A Deeper Connection Within

Silence can help you reconnect with your inner wisdom, spiritual center, or simply the part of you that is often drowned out by daily noise.

Renewed Perspective

Return to daily life with more space between a challenge and your reaction, along with a clearer sense of what deserves your energy and attention.

A Guided, Gradual Journey Into Silence

You are not expected to arrive and immediately know how to be silent. The retreat is structured to help you transition gradually: first learning the breath and foundational practices, then entering silence with guidance, and finally returning to conversation with time to integrate what you experienced.

Welcome

4:00 pm Check-in Begins

6:00–7:00 Dinner

7:00–7:20 Orientation (Dining Hall)

7:30–9:30 The Secret of the Breath

Prepare for Silence

7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga

8:30–9:30 am Breakfast

10 AM–12:30 pm The Rhythms of Life

12:30–1:30 pm Lunch

3-5 pm Deepening Our Experience

6–7:30 pm Dinner

7:30–8:30 pm Practices to Calm the Chatter in the Mind

Step Into Silence

7:30–8:30 am Daily Dive Group Practice

8:30–9:30 Breakfast

10:00 am–12:30 pm Step Into the Silent Zone

12:30–1:30 Lunch

3:00–6:00 Soaking in the Silence

6:00–7:30 Dinner

7:30–8:30 Wisdom to Deepen Your Silence and Q&A

Reflect in Silence

7:30–8:30 am Daily Dive Group Practice

8:30–9:30 Breakfast

10:00 am–12:30 pm Guided Meditations

12:30–1:30  Lunch

3:00–5:00 Experiencing the Deeper Self

6:00–7:30 Dinner

7:30–8:30 Understanding the Tendencies of the Mind and Q&A

7:30–8:30 am Session

8:30–9:30 Breakfast

10:00 am–1:00 pm Gradually move out of Silence

1:00  Lunch (included on the day of your departure)

Depart for home (book departure flights for after 5:oo pm)

Breakfast  7:30–9:30 am • Lunch 12–1:30 pm • Dinner 6–7:30 pm

Retreat activities include
Meditative Chants • Bonfires • Labyrinth • Time in Nature

Enhance Your Experience

Extend your retreat to unwind, reflect, and enjoy R&R workshops or Ayurvedic treatments. Arrive early or stay longer and save 20% on R&R rates. Simply select extra days during registration.

"I thought a silent retreat sounded intimidating and might be difficult, but it was so easy and much needed!  The quiet time in nature, disconnected from technology and the chaos of the outside world allowed me to completely rest and recharge."

—Tyler G.

“I would recommend the Silent Retreat for anyone who has anxiety and stress. You come out feeling calm and confident, with an amazing sense of gratitude.”

—Sarita P.

"I recently finished the Stepping into Silence retreat - it was fantastic. I left feeling empowered and rejuvenated. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I feel so blessed to have fallen right into the place I needed to be!"

—Lizzy D.

Choose the Space That Helps You Fully Unplug

Your room is more than a place to sleep during a silent retreat. It is part of the environment that helps you step away from stimulation and settle into a quieter rhythm. Choose from simple retreat rooms, hotel-style accommodations, or private apartments based on the level of privacy and comfort that best supports your experience.Daily vegetarian meals are included from dinner on arrival through lunch on departure.

Private Hotel Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • King bed or two queen beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Shared Hotel Room (2 People)

Ideal for friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • Twin beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Private Retreat Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.

  • Twin beds
  • Private bath
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Note Room may contain extra single beds.

Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment

Fully furnished 665 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 2 persons)

  • 1 queen bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment with Loft

Fully furnished 995 sq. ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)

  • 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds or 1 full bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range, & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

Upgrade Options

Extend your Stay and Don’t Miss a Thing

Add a day and enjoy R&R activities!

Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops

Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments

Learn More

Nourish Your Body

Take your rejuvenation to another level. Our spa offers treatments and therapies that integrate ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness.

Call to check availability during Shankara Ayurveda Spa business hours; seven days a week, 9:00 am–6:00 pm.

Learn More
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Have Questions About Being Silent? Start Here.

We’re here to help.

It is normal to feel uncertain before a first silent retreat.

The experience is guided and gradual: you begin with orientation, breathwork, yoga, and preparation before entering the silent portion of the program.

No. The retreat is structured for both first-time and experienced meditators, with guided instruction throughout the five days.

No. Silence reduces ordinary conversation, but the retreat remains facilitated.

Guided sessions, scheduled practices, staff support, and Q&A are built into the experience.

Confirm the exact communication process with the program team before publishing.

Many guests come because they feel overstimulated, anxious, or unable to switch off.

The retreat is a wellness and educational experience, not medical treatment. Anyone with significant mental-health concerns should consult an appropriate healthcare professional before registering.

That can happen at first. The goal is not to force the mind blank.

The guided practices help you notice mental activity without constantly following or reacting to it.

For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:

  • Refunds are available (less a $50/per person processing fee) up to 15 days before your program or stay.
  • Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50/per person processing fee) is available if you give notice between 14 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.

AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.

Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.

To encourage a healthy environment, we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces. However, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms.

Our property is always smoke-free.

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. You may email us at info@theartoflivingretreatcenter.kinsta.cloud.

Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.

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.

We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.

  • It is safe to leave your windows open—and necessary for proper airflow!
  • Nature surrounds our campus, and it’s common to see rabbits, deer, gophers, wild turkeys, and other small animals. Please give them space, and they’ll do the same for you. We’ve never had a safety incident with animals on campus.

You can help!

  • If you come across an animal on campus or a trail, give it space, and please do not attempt to pet or feed it.
  • There’s no need to bring valuables to the retreat center; leaving them at home is best.

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Art of Living Retreat Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.
  • Fly into Charlotte, NC—Two hours away by drive.
  • Check-in at 4:00 pm first day—eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Leave after lunch the last day—schedule your flight anytime
    after 5:00 pm.

Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service  Book online  hickoryhop.com  The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations are required, so book ahead online and be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.

High Country Limo  828.898.9595   highcountrylimo.com

Oscar’s Car Service  704.965.5800

Edwardo’s Car Service  704.949.6775

Blue Bird Transportation  828.989.7286   Blue Bird of Boone

Abby Cab 828.475.2988  abbycab.com

Uber or Lyft  Book in app on arrival.

Other airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center include

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)

Visit our directions page for more information.

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