Our next Silent Retreat is on May 7, 2022 from 10:30am – 5pm.

Located at Amethyst Retreat Center (44 Buffalo Creek Rd, Duncannon, PA).

Cost: Free Retreat but online Registration is Required to Attend 

Click Here to Register: Registration

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be mindful and register for this event only if you can absolutely make a commitment to attend. With a limited number of spots, we want to make sure they are filled the day of the retreat. 

Silent Retreat is a signature offering for Amethyst and is a gift we give ourselves to restore peace and clarity. Retreats are offered in the Spring and Fall. Each retreat day focuses on a different theme and is designed to build resilience, peace and clarity.

The world is noisy, sometimes toxic and it's not always possible to easily pull ourselves up. Over time, stress manifests in too much thinking, excess doing, anger, anxiety/depression and low energy.

Don't worry if you've never tried a silent retreat. The day is well organized and facilitated by Karen and Don Kovacs. You will move easily through four facilitated group sessions alternated with your own personal retreat time. Each Silent Retreat is structured in the same way but has a different contemplation to guide the day.

1st Group Session includes an orientation to the day, the retreat house and grounds. During this time, you can speak and ask questions. When the retreat portion of this session begins, all participants will be silent for the rest of the day.  A Dharma talk and a guided meditation will fill this session and then you will move into your solo personal retreat time where you will have the opportunity to wander the beautiful natural scenery, walk the labyrinth and trails, or sit quietly in forest, fields, or by the fire in the library.  

2nd Group Session gives the opportunity to enjoy mindful eating and tasting of your food in silence. From this session you will once again move into your solo personal retreat time. 

LUNCH will be prepared with local, fresh, and organic foods when possible. Lunch options will include Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free dishes. Special dietary needs can be accommodated. 

3rd Group Session is a group session that supports deep healing. We will lie in Shavasana pose (on your back), nestled into a comfy self made bed of yoga mat, blanket and pillows. We will focus within while immersed in a guided healing experience. Once again you will move from this session into your solo personal retreat time. 

4th Group Session brings us out of silence and into presence. There will be a brief period of sharing insights (optional) before we close the retreat. 

Balance is restored throughout the day and the way forward clears. You will feel very different by the time you hear the closing bell.

THE FACILITATORS are Karen Kovacs who has studied and practiced the Buddha’s teachings for more than 20 years. Karen is an experienced meditator and completed the first level of  “The Sacred Path of the Warrior”, The Art of Being Human, Shambhala tradition.  She has extensive experience with facilitating various types of meditation, Dharma talks and has co-facilitated Amethyst’s Silent Retreats for the past eight years. 

Don Kovacs has his roots in Christianity and is currently a Quaker practicing silence as the path within.  Don is an experienced meditator and has facilitated group meditation.  Don has co-facilitated Amethyst’s Silent Retreats for the past eight years. 

WHERE: Amethyst Retreat Center is located just 25 minutes north of Harrisburg PA. The retreat center offers 144 acres of natural beauty with numerous walking trails throughout the surrounding land, fields, and forests.

GUEST ROOMS: Amethyst has a limited number of guests rooms available for Friday and/or Saturday for one person or up to 3 people attending together. A payment of $65 per person, per night is required and supports Amethyst Retreat Center, a 501 C (3) nonprofit. If you’re interested in staying overnight please fill out the request form when you click add-to-cart at checkout during your registration process,

Camping is free; however please consider making a Donation to ARC. Click Here to Donate to Amethyst

To read more about camping at Amethyst: Click Here