“Silence is not an absence of something, but a presence of everything.”
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
Who We Are:
Lisa and Becky have been friends for nearly 20 years. Over time, both found themselves searching for a way of living rooted in purpose, presence, and connection. Their journeys carried them to very different landscapes, yet they arrived at remarkably similar truths.
Lisa found refuge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where she began her shamanic journey. Under the guidance of her teacher, Linda Star Wolf of Venus Rising, Lisa discovered a mentor. Becky, meanwhile, returned to a path she had started on many years before. She journeyed back to a Buddhist monastery in California and renewed her commitments as a student of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh. Her meditation practice deepened over the years, and in 2013, she and three friends started a Thich Nhat Hanh sangha in San Antonio, Texas. As their lives continued to unfold, Lisa and Becky began to notice how deeply their practices overlapped. In 2025, at the encouragement of a friend, the idea of offering a silent retreat was born.
What we offer:
Our three-day silent retreat invites you into Noble Silence (for 24 hours). Noble Silence is not merely the absence of speech, but a practice of deep listening beyond words. We set the intention together to honor ourselves and each other through the shared experience of Noble Silence. Starting at 9 pm on Friday, we commit to refraining from talking and from using electronic devices. All day Saturday, we offer various practices, including walking, sitting, eating, and being in nature, all in silence. There is no expectation to be “good” at silence or meditation. Actually, you are warmly invited to recline and be at ease during all meditation sessions, participating as much or as little as you feel called. Since we are in silence, a detailed itinerary is provided to help you know what activity is coming next. We offer delicious, healthy plant based food often grown on the ranch to nourish your body during the retreat. On Sunday at 9 am, we gently emerge from silence with a beautiful ceremony.
Where we gather:
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Spiral Dance Ranch is surrounded by majestic oak and cypress trees, offering a sense of wisdom, grounding, and steadiness. The lower Sabinal River flows through the property, offering us the gift of water medicine. Purchased in 2020, Lisa recalls, “The land spoke to me—especially Grandfather tree” (join us to hear the whole story). For the past six years, Lisa and her team have been offering a variety of retreats and ceremonies. Our Silent retreat offers you a different way to be on the land, to be with yourself, and to be connected in community in Noble Silence.
No meditation experience is required. All are welcome.
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