Te Moata, a true sanctuary. A day at a silent meditation retreat.

I absolutely love my job, but modern life can take a toll. So when thinking of my own self care, digital free quiet time really appeals. As does being in the bush with nature. I am attracted to other people who are working on self development, leaning into unique experiences.

I heard about Te Moata earlier this year and attended a womens 5 day event in May. I came home beyond buzzing. So I kept an eye out for other retreats I could fit into the busy calendar and this one in September came at the perfect time.

There were around 25 of us, including the service team. More males than females, our ages from 25 -75 at a guess.

A day at a silent retreat starts at 6.15am with a soft gong to wake everyone up.

I would often wake before this to the smell of fires being lit which heat the mediation room, the water system and the heaters.

At 6.45-7.30am we meditate as a group. This is not guided meditation, a self reflection style.

At 7.30am breakfast of oats, bircher, homemade yoghurt, toast and fruit is provided, for me being gluten free they offered rice porridge as well as options for other people with allergies. I would eat with purpose to get out on my first run for the day, making the most of the amazing training at Tairua with all the hills. I was running each morning 5-7km up and down gravel roads and bush. Much harder than flat Cambridge!

At 9.30am-11am we did more meditation, first a sitting, then a walking practice.

Lunchtime is 12pm and was always my favorite meal of the day. Amazing salads and always a hot selection. Lunch is the main meal of the day on retreat.

Next from 1-2pm we would meditate or have the option of one on one time to talk about life and the world with Stephen. Some days there was more free time to explore the extensive bush tracks, ‘ice plunge’ in the river or take a nap.

From 3-5pm more meditation sitting time, then walking style.

5pm is dinner time (personally my least favorite meal). Dinners are soup and homemade toast, still really yummy, but I do like my paleo diet and protein.

After dinner 6.30pm-8pm further meditation and afterwards an enlightened talk from Stephen. He had a wondeful way about him and so interesting to listen to. I really loved the evenings.

At 8.30pm it is pretty much bed time. There is only solar power at Te Moata, so with such dim lighting it is easy to be tired early. My sleep quality was incredible with no light pollution and no digital stress. I was having daily naps plus 9-10hr night sleeps at night.

Lunch on the last day is when silence was broken and we got to share our experience of the last 7 days with the group. It was interesting to chat to people you formed 'silent relationships' with while on retreat. Then after a lot of goodbyes and thank you to the wonderful team who run Te Moata, I had a very quiet drive back to Cambridge.

It was a deeply self reflective experience. Lots of thoughts, ideas and emotions came up along the way. And at times a fresh view on life and self. The silent element for me was super relaxing and a contrast to my busy life.

The biggest challenge I personally had was missing my family and the food. Sam and Bela were happy to support me going away, but 'Mum guilt' is always present and something I did work on while on retreat.

Food anxiety from years of sore tummies and intolerances is very real for me. And I a do seem to perform at my best on a diet of meat and higher protein, less fibre, beans and legumes. I struggled with a sore stomach most days (but that's the story of my life). I don't want to put anyone off, the food was exceptionally well made, home grown organic and delicious, but for my tricky tummy this was my personal issue.

Would I do it again? A resounding yes! Te Moata feels like my second home and I am looking at events to attend next year. It is magical, spiritual, incredible.