We’ve been reserving the smallest sauna at Sauna Village for guests who want to enjoy quiet during their steam rounds. I find myself slipping in there as often as possible and remembering why I love sharing this experience.
Now, don’t get me wrong – Sauna talks are some of the best. I’ve laughed hard, delved deep into complex and heady topics, and cherished the emotional honesty and vulnerability in the Sauna. But there is something profoundly different about sitting and sweating in silence. Without the distraction of conversation, your stress and the chatter of your mind come to the surface.
Then, the body succumbs, breath eases into peace – the silence consumes you.
This kind of intense silence coupled with the heat forces you to observe and digest things you might otherwise not notice – and just as quickly forces you to let go, but without effort. The magic of the heat takes over – the stress, the chatter – it all dissolves, slowly and gently like the steam itself coming off the rocks.
Most of the people I’ve met who love sauna get this, and exhibit their own kind of understanding and gratitude for this simple and profound reset button. This is the golden kind of silence that tells you things you couldn’t hear until just now—and suddenly—now is new again.
In your Sauna practice – what do you prefer? Are you a social creature? Is Sauna a silent retreat?
The golden light of most saunas fits the phrase “Silence is golden” perfectly. In my practice probably 90 percent are social saunas, although even these may have moments of profound communal silence. But there is nothing quite like the depths that are reached in a solo sauna. For this reason I often plan ahead to fire up early enough ahead of arrivals at an announced sauna to grab some solo time, or take it after departures. Very easy to do at my personal sauna, or when guest hosting at the saunas of friends. But nothing compares to the full solo firing taken “in secret” from the regulars. Quite simply stated, it is the bliss of the bench magnified many many times. Don’t miss any opportunities! ~Garrett Conover
Great thoughts and noticings. I agree entirely with the stress and thoughts coming to the fore in silence – it’s impossible not to once the heat agitates. Valuable perspective here
Special thanks to Stokeyard Outfitters Editor and Chief, Teke O’Reilly for transforming my scattered ramblings into a coherent reflection. So grateful to be working with The Sauna Whisperer once again!