Sounds of Silence: The Power of Mindful Music & Chanting with Satigata (Residential)

What does it mean to use music and chanting to foster mindful awareness? What is it like to come together in community and allow melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to emerge from the vast space of silence? How does music enhance sacred teachings and mantras, bringing to life the wisdom they transmit?

Explore these questions during a unique residential retreat with visiting teacher Chris Berlin, Darren Becker, and the members of their band, Satigata.

Founded in the chapels and classrooms of Harvard Divinity School, Satigata blends traditional Buddhist chants with acoustic instruments, hand drums, singing bowls, and folk-inspired melodies. “Satigata” is a Pali term that roughly translates to “moving into mindfulness.” During this immersive weekend, you will be invited to explore how sound and musical expression can arise naturally from contemplative practice and communal presence. Prior musical knowledge is not necessary, and no one will be put on the spot to perform!

Please Join Us To:

• Practice core mindfulness meditations
• Explore the relationship between silence, sound, and mindful awareness
• Create sound together in a supportive, non-performance environment
• Discover how music and chanting bring sacred teachings and mantras to life
• Learn basics in breath, voice, rhythm and improvisation to support your own chanting practice

During this retreat, Chris Berlin, Darren Becker, and the members of Satigata will guide participants in an experiential exploration of these questions. Drawing on the band’s original music, Buddhist chants, and contemplative practices, the weekend offers an opportunity to discover how musical expression may arise naturally through mindfulness, a few simple techniques, and a sense of communal presence.

The retreat will include core mindfulness meditation, group chanting, collaborative sound-making, a few brief dharma talks, question-and-answer sessions, and discussion. The remainder of the weekend will be held in noble silence, allowing participants to experience how sound can emerge from—and return to—the spaciousness of stillness.

Music will be woven throughout the retreat. Some practices, including walking meditation and nighttime sky-gazing, will take place outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Wonderwell Mountain Refuge.

Residential retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice while being nourished by the natural beauty of Wonderwell Mountain Refuge’s verdant campus, tucked in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley. Through meditation, music, chanting, noble silence, and community, the weekend unfolds within a supportive rhythm of daily practice, nourishing meals, and time to rest and reflect amidst the surrounding fields, forests, and sky.

No prior musical knowledge is necessary, and no one will be put on the spot to perform. Rather, this retreat is an invitation to explore how musical expression may arise naturally for you with the help of a few resources and a sense of communal presence.

Typical Retreat Schedule

(All times are Eastern time zone)

First Day — Opening session begins around 7:00 pm.

Full-Day Schedule — Morning meditation 7:00 am; Breakfast break 8:00-9:30 am; Lunch break 12:00-2:00 pm; Dinner break 5:30-7:00 pm. Evening session 7:00-8:30 pm

Last Day —The closing session ends at 12:00 pm followed by a light lunch.

These times are just for reference. An expanded schedule will be provided in pre-retreat information emailed during the week prior to the event.

Important Health Information

COVID-19 testing is no longer required. Masks are optional and encouraged if you are at higher risk. We encourage you to stay at home if you are symptomatic to protect others.

Scholarships

Cancellation Policy

We understand that personal circumstances may require you to cancel your registration. In these cases, please contact us right away at register@naturaldharma.org. Cancellations affect our ability to offer rooms to others and create additional work for our staff, therefore we charge the following fees to help mitigate these costs.

For cancellations (based on program start date):

• > 45 days: 100% refund minus a $75 admin. fee.
• 31-45 days: 50% refund of the required deposit; or 75% refund if registration paid in full.
• 21-30 days: 50% refund of total registration cost
• < 21 days: nonrefundable

If you must cancel due to an emergency or extenuating circumstances, please contact us at register@naturaldharma.org.

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