Admittedly, I doubted whether I could do it myself. When you're used to being available almost 24/7 and the phone finds its way into your hand to fill every dull moment, it seems quite a terrifying thought to give up your phone for several days. A bit like getting rid of a part of your body, the relationship with that hand extension has become so close. And when at the same time the possibility of verbal communication is also taken away, a person has to face what he has perhaps unconsciously or sometimes consciously tried to avoid – his own self.
I participated in Utula Nature's silence retreat in July. For me, the retreat turned out to be the most eye-opening experience in years. Only when you are really forced to be present do you have the patience to stop and listen to your needs and feelings coming from deep inside. The phones were put away during the joint start briefing and silence was gently descended after the sharing circle and audio journey. I was surprised how naturally everything went. In advance, I was worried whether the silence would be awkward. I was in vain, it was really wonderful!
If you want, you can connect with people even without words. Just a smile has an incredible effect when the words are stripped away. I was equipped for the retreat with books, knitting and writing utensils. I was worried about how to pass the time. The first evening was a bit unnerving. I didn't really know how to settle down. I read, went for a run, moved things in the sleeping area and wondered what I had come to. Already the next day, the pace started to slow down and the heart rate to drop. The days were rhythmic in the cycles of meals, program and personal time.
I read, knitted, wrote down my experiences and just simply was. And I slept. And it was WONDERFUL. I already knew from experience that in Utula you won't get hungry and the food is heavenly. I was not disappointed this time either. Risotto, vegetable lasagna, rosemary orange cake... Those are just a few of the dishes I can still recall the flavors on my tongue when I think about them. Did the retreat have an effect?
In my case, it made it concrete how much time and concentration the phone steals from my day with its various apps and news applications. My ability to concentrate and be truly present returned substantially within a few days. I recovered. I breathed.
On Sunday, we were asked what we should take from the retreat with us to our everyday life. I promised myself that I would have a non-social day once a week, and I would not bring my phone into the bedroom anymore. I haven't been able to keep the promise of a full detox day (I wasn't ready for this yet), but no entry to bedroom -rule for my phone has kept. I also try to stretch out that time in the morning as much as possible before I let the outside world steal my attention.
I warmly recommend this experience to everyone. Because hand on heart, when was the last time you existed only for yourself? When was the last time you dared to arrange a date with yourself, without external distractions? When was the last time you were able to concentrate without anyone or anything interrupting you?
Utula offers an environment with the right amount of community and personal peace whenever needed. If you want, you can spend time in the common areas, on Utula's own beach, or if you want complete peace of your own, you can walk to the nearby Huuhanranta. If you wish, you can also participate in personal therapeutic discussions and a sharing circle.
Guest blogger: Katri Vesikko
Season 2024 last Silent Digital Detox - retreat is organized from Tue 27. or Thu 29. to Sun 1.9.2024, choose if you want to make it a 4-day or 6-day one. More info and book: www. utulanature.com
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