INTERVIEWSMARISKA JANSENPHOTOGRAPHY©LINDSAY CRANDALL/STOCKSY UNITED, LUPEN GRAINNE, ©VISUALSPECTRUM/STOCKSY UNITEDWhat is the appeal for you of
these silent weekends? I live in
Rotterdam, the Netherlands, a lively
city where the streets are never really
quiet. I’m a freelance videomaker and
also organize concerts, so no two days
are ever the same for me. What I do
miss sometimes is a routine: My work
doesn’t allow for regular work days and
times. I think about all sorts of practical
things all day long. There’s rarely a
moment to stop and think about what
I actually want and how I see my life.
Sometimes, I get the feeling that all
I do is give. During one of these silent
weekends, it’s suddenly all about me
and I can take the time to answer these
questions. It’s a place to really unwind
and relax, organize my thoughts and
reflect. I always come home with
renewed energy.
Isn’t it hard to keep silent all
weekend? No, it’s pretty natural
actually. The surroundings, a beautiful
spot in the middle of nature, are
enough to relax me. And I’m with
people I don’t know. There are plenty
of opportunities to take a walk alone or
retreat to my room. I also like having a
set program; you’re expected to be on
time to breakfast, for example. Once
I’m there, my focus is really on the
food, on eating, unlike at home where
I’m checking my email while I’m
rushing to make my breakfast.
Constantly being in contact with other
people also tends to really stress me
out and make me restless. At home,
there’s not a single moment when I
don’t have my smartphone, iPad or
laptop within reach.Do you meditate a lot during these
retreats? Yes, this is actually the focus:
silence and being in the here-and-now.
The thoughts that swirl around in my
head are finally about me instead of
what other people want. I never can
completely shut off though; to be honest,
I’ve never participated in a meditation
session where I shut my eyes and my
thoughts just stopped. I’m always having
a (silent) conversation with myself.You’re not allowed to bring your
iPad? It’s allowed, but I like being
able to really shut myself off from
the outside world. I do take my
smartphone with me to take pictures
of myself in nature for example, to
remember it by.Mahesvari Autar (31, camera journalist and cultural
organizer) regularly attends silent weekend retreats.