Jennifer Aniston wants to do a 'silent retreat' in India: What is it all about?

While promoting her new web series 'The Morning Show,' Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston recently said that she wants to visit India and try a hand at a 'silent retreat' and meditation. A few months ago, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu also revealed that she went on a three-day silent retreat with no phones or communication, which even scared her. However, she also said she would love to do it 'A million times' again. Is it a new celebrity fitness trend or something that just shot to the limelight? 

Silent retreats are organised by many yoga and spiritual platforms across India, and they are performed all over the world as well. While some are hardcore, residential retreats that can last for months, many also offer one-day experiences or online options. In Kerala, too, silent retreats of various durations are organised at multiple locations like Varkala, Kollam, Kovalam and Idukki. The practitioners and gurus say the benefits of this retreat is manifold. Here's what you get to experience at a silent retreat.

What is a silent retreat?
While there are different kinds of silent retreats, what a person basically gets to experience is a break from all types of stimulus - phones, notifications, conversations, media or entertainment - of modern-day life. Kochi-based yoga trainer Jaiji VG, who has also organised similar retreats, says that the basic rules of silent retreats, though of many different designs and durations, are the same. "It began years ago as a Buddhist Vipassana practice and now, it is undertaken on various meditation platforms," he says. Here are some of the general rules of silent retreats:

The sessions often have rules, even to have food, Jaiji explains. "All participants will have a number, a designated spot to sit at and their own plate. Their names will not be written anywhere. They shouldn't try to interact with anybody at any time." Interestingly, participants are allowed to leave if they find it extremely tough to follow the rules. "While these retreats often start with 30 or 40 participants, as days go by, the numbers reduce. If the retreats are long, often the final day will have only around eight or nine people," explains the trainer.  

'It's not easy'
Jaiji says that while people might wonder what the big deal is about staying silent, it's not as easy as it sounds. "Many participants often find it hard to be silent. Various thoughts and things to do crowd their mind so much that they decide to leave the retreat halfway through," he explains. Apparently, many participants attend the retreats a second or third time to see whether they can handle silence better, the next time, he explains.