REPORT: Call of the Time Experiments-in-Silence Retreat
The Global Retreat Centre, Oxfordshire, UK

6-10 May 2026

Silence is the most universal portal in all traditions to the path –
beyond dogma, beliefs and sacraments - it just is. Peter Senge

The Call-of-the-Time (COTT) Experiments-in-Silence Retreat took place at the Global Retreat Centre near Oxford, UK, from 6-10 May. The retreat was led by Peter Senge, a Senior Lecturer at MIT in the US, and Sister Jayanti, and facilitated by Sister Judy of New York. There were 22 international participants - from Belgium, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK.

The days unfolded with a gentle combination of spiritual input, personal time for reflection, collective meditation, and meals in silence. Following a brief check-in on Wednesday evening, the retreat moved straight into silence. Each day began with an optional amrit vela, which quite a few guests joined. At 6:00 am, there were silent stretches in front of the house, led by Sister Marneta. Then, after some meditation together, Sister Jayanti gave a talk on a specific theme, such as the soul, connecting with the Divine, the Home, and integrating spiritual practice in daily life, followed by more collective meditation. Every evening, Peter gave a short talk, translating spiritual concepts into everyday language. This year with both check-ins and check-outs we experimented with small group discussions before whole group dialogue, which worked well. It seemed to allow people to speak more freely and authentically.

The retreat was held by a team of BKs – Sr Julia (NY), Sr Luciana Rossi (Brazil), Sr Carolin (Germany) and Sr Rachel (UK). Brother Jonathan from Sheffield offered interludes of beautiful piano music throughout. He also performed at the intimate ‘Family Night’ session after meditation on the final evening, in which many offered poems, songs, and readings close to their heart, reflecting what had been shared and experienced over the previous few days. The house, garden, kitchen, and support teams of the Global Retreat Centre all contributed hugely in a most unlimited way to the experience, and nature, also - with the abundance of May and unexpectedly good weather too. Om shanti.