Go into silence to find the boundless more that lies beyond the limits of thinking
This three night, four day silent meditation retreat provides an opportunity to slow down, get quiet, observe, receive, and just breathe for a few days. The schedule will provide the support and discipline of multiple sessions of sitting & walking meditation each day.
This retreat is designed to be very small: 5 to 9 participants will be attending,
A retreat modeled closely on zen practices
While not officially zen, this silent retreat is modeled closely on zen practices. We’ll follow the arc of natural daylight to help participants naturally align with the rhythms of nature. The schedule will provide the support and discipline of multiple sessions of sitting & walking meditation each day. Meditation periods are interspersed with time for personal reflection, slowing & quieting, exploring the grounds, eating mindfully, star-gazing at night, sitting in a rocking chair on the porch – or in an Adirondack chair in the field – maybe with a cup of tea, simply connecting to the sounds of life moving in natural peace.
Prerequisites
The retreat will be led by Kirstin Broderick
When a new practitioner first ventures into the vast, boundless quiet, challenges inevitably arise around the practice of silence, stillness, and solitude. This retreat is not designed to help you with those early-practice challenges, and so the first basic prerequisite is having a silent meditation practice of at least 20 minutes a day, for at least six months.
Those new to working directly with me, or those who haven't practiced zen with a sangha for at least a year, must come one day early for basic training in the practices taught in this retreat. See the section, “Want to Extend your Stay?,” below for avaibility and pricing. For those arriving early/staying late, there is good wifi at the Inn if you need to work before or after the retreat, but no “work” may be done once we go into the silence on Friday evening. Basic training for newbies is pre-silence.
Guardians of each other’s solitude
“[T]he highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other. ”
We will spend from about 8pm Friday evening until about 11am Monday morning in total silence: no speaking. Your attention is turned inward. If you need to communicate with another, there will be an abundance of note pads and pens for which to write another a note. But, as others have found in the past, the schedule and organization of the retreat will carry you, and there is rarely a need for a note.
In this spirit, phones and online access during the retreat period will not be permitted, with the exception of emergencies. Emergency calls or check-in with family-in-need are allowed, but please keep such contact brief, to only when absolutely necessary, conducted where other's can't see or hear you.
About silence
An intimacy and connection arises in collective silence that is more powerful than one can anticipate. It is an intimacy and connection not only with others, but – perhaps more importantly – with oneself. In the container of a silent retreat, you slow down and listen more. As you do this, hour after hour, you will find and develop your gravitas, your grace, and your poise. I, Kirstin, have found that silence is where this real power lies. And, that power isn't just in you, it is you.
This power is not a power over. It's a power of and from. It's a presence, a connection, a respect to yourself first, found in attention to the body-based breath.In zen, this power is referred to as great doubt, the place where one can open into the vast, boundless more that lies beyond the limits of our language-based thinking. This is poise.
You need extended time in silence to hear and experience that grace & poise. And, the opportunity to get quiet enough to hear yourself and really develop that quiet poise is rare. That is the power of this spring silent meditation retreat at Willow Vt. This retreat provides the structure and support for you to stay in the silence for longer than you might otherwise, and in that silence … you expand. You hear more, you feel more. Hence, I'm so excited to offer this silent retreat opportunity, where a small group of us go into the vast, boundless silence together, in a beautiful, cozy space and location.
What’s included
Three nights of accommodation at Willow.
Exclusive use of the main house. If selected by a guest, we will also occupy the Willow’s four-season treehouse.
All meals: seasonal, fresh, and lovingly prepared by Ravi
Snacks & non0alcoholic beverages, except on check-in and check-out days
Mats, blocks, cushions, straps and other supports are provided by Willow
Gorgeous mountain views, acreage of fields & walking paths, and a large pond,
Ample free time to rest, write, or wander
Fee Options
Fees cover all expenses and activities during the retreat. Your fee covers the retreat leader’s accommodations and meals. However, the retreat leader has opted not to charge any program fee for this retreat. You are welcome to make a donation directly to the retreat leader at the end if you feel compelled. Tips to Inn staff are not included in the fee.
Main house, double occupancy: $892.50, inclusive of taxes and fees. You may book a room together with a friend or be matched with another participant by the retreat instructor. All rooms have two beds and one dedicated bathroom.
Main house, single occupancy: $1,532.45, inclusive of taxes and fees.
Treehouse. The treehouse has one queen bed and can accommodate a single person or a couple or close friends. Single occupancy: $1950, inclusive of taxes and fees. Double occupancy $1250.00pp inclusive of taxes and fees.
Payment schedule: A 50% deposit is due at booking. The full balance is due two weeks before the retreat starts
Refund Policy
We understand that travel plans may change. We offer a number of refund options.
Grace Window: Willow offers a full refund minus applicable credit card charges for cancelations made within 24 hours of booking. Credit card charges are 3% for most cards or 4.5% for Amex and are applied by your bank on all transactions, including deposits and refunds. Additional charges may be incurred on international cards.
Early Cancelation Window: When you call or email to cancel at least 60 days prior to a retreat, Willow offers a 75% refund of deposit(s).
Travel Insurance and Late Cancelations: Our travel insurance partner, ResNexus, offers partial to full refund options right up to the day your retreat starts. Travel insurance must be purchased at booking. If you opt not to purchase travel insurance at booking, refunds are not possible after the early cancelation window closes.
In very rare circumstances—such as a natural disaster or global pandemic—Willow may be required to cancel the retreat. If we cancel the retreat for any reason, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to date.
The Schedule
FRIDAY
3-5pm: Arrival
5:30: Dinner & welcome
6:45: Meet in the zendo for training and schedule overview, Q&A.
7:45: SILENCE BEGINS: two periods of 20 min meditation, 5 min walking meditation in between
8:30 Break/Prepare for bed
9pm: LIGHTS OUT
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
6:05am: Wake bell
6:35am: On mat: 25 min meditation
7:00: outdoor walking meditation + sunrise exercises (sunrise at 7:06am)
7:20: 25 min meditation
8:00 breakfast
8:20: break (walk outside, rest, art, journal)
9:40: On mat: sitting meditation –– outdoor walking meditation –– sitting meditation
11:05: Break
12:15: On Mat, 25 min meditation
12:40: Lunch
1:00 Break
3:00: On mat: sitting meditation –– outdoor walking meditation –– sitting meditation
4:15: Break
5:30: Respectful break silence for Q&A and/or reading & teaching at dining table
6:05: On mat (20 min meditation)
6:30: Dinner
7:00: Break
7:45: Two periods of 20 min meditation, 5 min walking meditation in between
8:30 Break/Prepare for bed
9pm: LIGHTS OUT
MONDAY
6:05am: Wake bell
6:35am: On mat: 25 min meditation
7:00: outdoor walking meditation + sunrise exercises (sunrise at 7:06am)
7:20: 25 min meditation
8:00 breakfast
8:20: break (walk outside, rest, art, journal)
9:15: On mat: sitting meditation –– outdoor walking meditation –– sitting meditation
10:30: Break
11:15: On Mat, 25 min meditation
11:50: Break Silence & Lunch
1pm: Pack & Departure
What to bring
Refillable water bottle
Clothes that you feel comfortable in to practice meditation
Slippers or house shoes. Willow is a shoe free household.
Hiking shoes and clothes
Headlamp or flashlight
Rooms and Amenities
Willow is a comforting and nurturing environment — furnished with a harmonious combination of custom contemporary and vintage furniture, rugs, artwork and crafts.
We provide comfortable overnight accommodations in double occupancy rooms. All rooms have dedicated ensuite or hall baths. We are outfitted with all the comforts of a typical guest house — linens, blowdryers, individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Our mattresses, pillows and furniture are exceptionally comfortable. Our soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions are organic. We support local craftspeople by supplying Willow with handmade and high quality goods — everything from lamps to rugs have been made by hand. You will feel very much at home.
The Colonial Revival main house offers open living space on the first floor: a grand foyer with sitting area and library, a spacious and light-filled living room with fireplace, a sunny veranda, a dining room, and a 14-person yoga studio painted in soft colors of the willow tree. The studio is fully outfitted with yoga mats, cushions, straps, blocks and blankets.
Meals
Meals are provided throughout the retreat, including dinner on arrival day, 3 meals each full day, and brunch on departure day.
Our menu is Indian, Tex-Mex and American-inspired vegetarian dishes with balanced proteins, fats and carbs. Our meals are healthy, filling, and made of local organic and natural ingredients. Please let us know at registration if you prefer vegan or gluten-free options. Please let us know if you have any food allergies. We cannot accommodate last minute requests during the retreat.
Coffee is served with breakfast at no charge. Tea is available all day at no charge.
Espresso, cappuccino, and fresh-pressed juices are available for purchase throughout the retreat. A menu of options will be posted in the dining room. Charges will be added to your account and billed at the end of the retreat.
Meet our cats
Willow is home to two sweet and friendly cats, Bear and Scratch. They love our guests and they absolutely adore being petted. But we ask that guests not pick them up. Too much of that and they will become stressed little souls.
We do our best to keep cats out of the guest rooms so that people with allergies can comfortably stay with us. Please help with this by discouraging the cats from entering or napping in your room.
Want to stay longer? Extend your retreat experience!
Willow encourages retreat participants who wish to stay in the area longer to book rooms or book the treehouse on nights before and after the retreat at sharply reduced rates. Extended bookings include a hearty continental breakfast.
Individual rooms are $150-375/night for up to two people. A discount of 10% automatically applies to bookings of 3 or more nights.
Traveling to Willow
Willow is located in the beautiful and quintessential village of South Newfane (population 300), a satellite of Newfane (population 1,700). We are located 20 minutes northwest of Brattleboro, 20 minutes northeast of Wilmington, and 20 minutes east of Dover and Mount Snow.
By car:
From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north about 9 miles. Go left on Depot Road where the West River and Rock River meet; travel 2 miles on Depot Road until you cross a small bridge over the Rock River; go left on Dover Road through the village of Williamsville; after passing through Williamsville you will cross a covered bridge. Willow is exactly 1.2 miles on your left. If you come to a stop sign you have gone 300 feet past our driveway.
From Wilmington, take Route 100 north toward West Dover about 3.5 miles. A half mile past the River Valley Market, take a right on East Dover Road; travel 1 mile. Take a right on Dover Hill Road; travel 8 miles on Dover Hill Road and E Dover Road (they are continuous) until you reach a 3-way stop sign in the village of South Newfane. Willow is 300 feet past the stop sign on your right.
By train: the daily Amtrak Vermonter stops in Brattleboro as it travels from Washington DC to Montreal and back. You can pick it up in New York, Hartford, Springfield to the south or in Montpelier to the north. Taxis are available in Brattleboro or Willow’s owners will pick you up in Brattleboro on the Vermonter’s arrival at 5pm (note this is after check in time).
By plane: Travelers may find Hartford (BDL—64.4 miles, 90 minutes) and Boston (BOS—85.7 miles, 2 hours 20 minutes) to be most convenient. Other nearby airports to check are Rutland VT (RUT, 55 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes), Manchester NH (MHT—85 miles, 2 hours), Albany NY (ALB—73 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes), and Worcester MA (ORH, 81 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes).
A note on driving: We are located in rural Vermont! You may have spotty cell service in areas throughout our area. Be sure to set your GPS before leaving from home. Set it by typing our business name “Willow Vermont Retreat” into your search bar. Please don’t use our address, as most GPS engines get rural addresses wrong. But don’t worry one bit, just remember this: following our guidance will land you safely with us; following Google to our address will lead you 4 miles off target.