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Do you have any effective ways to protect yourself from the distractions and stressors of daily life? Or to quiet your mind? Have you ever tried meditating or practicing mindfulness?

In My Week of Noble Silence, Caren Osten Gerszberg writes about her experiences at a silent retreat where she wasnt supposed to use a phone, read a book or even make eye contact for a week:

We woke at 5:30 a.m. to the clang of a brass bell for the days first sit at 6 a.m. All meals were eaten in silence, save for the clanking of silverware and unavoidable sneezes and coughs.

Talking was permitted only in a few instances: during small-group meetings scheduled with each teacher; after each evenings dharma talk delivered by a teacher on a specific Buddhist teaching or practice when time was allotted for asking questions; and during one hour of mindful open time on the retreats final afternoon.

She explains some of the rules participants observed during the retreat and their intended effect:

Not speaking to the other yogis was easier than Id expected. We were asked to keep noble silence, which in addition to verbal quiet meant not reading (I cheated on this one), not journaling, and averting our eyes when passing others to give them a sense of spiritual refuge. Exceptions were made, for people whose kitchen jobs involved interaction with others.

Being together but silent forms a tremendous community, said Sharon Salzberg, a meditation teacher and co-founder of the retreat center. Theres an intensification with silence, where you dont have to present yourself as interesting or funny, and theres a lot of freedom or joy in that.

Finally, she reflects on what she sought from the experience, and what she feels she attained:

Did a week of silence change my life? I hadnt come on retreat in search of that kind of epiphany (I have a therapist for that). I came rather seeking an adventure, and a deeper knowledge of the power of meditation that only extended time can give. The week had given me a sort of spalike experience for my mind, protected from the distractions and stressors of daily life.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Have you ever tried mindfulness or meditation practices that focus on the present moment and being aware of your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations? What was the experience like for you? Is meditation or mindfulness a practice you hope to include in your daily life? Why or why not?

Did Ms. Osten Gerszbergs description of a silent retreat appeal to you? Would you be interested in doing something similar, perhaps for a few hours, a whole day or even a week?

The article mentions again and again the role and importance of silence. Do you feel you need silence at times? If so, when? Would your life be better with more quiet time? Why or why not?

Do you think schools should teach meditation or mindfulness? Should the practice become a core part of the curriculum, like math, science, language arts and social studies? Why or why not?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Read this article:

What Are Your Experiences With Meditation? - The New York Times