In short: many silent retreats ask you to hand in your phone so that you can give full attention to the practice. Prepare by telling family and work, leaving the centre's emergency number, and expecting restlessness for the first couple of days. Afterwards, come back to screens slowly.
Before you go
- Tell people when you will be offline and when you will return.
- Give a trusted person the centre's emergency number.
- Set an out-of-office reply and download what you need.
On retreat
Expect urges to check; notice them and return to the breath. See noble silence and restless during meditation.
Coming back
See coming home after a retreat and Buddhist minimalism. If you want a gentler step, try a home retreat.
Related: 10-day silent retreat · what to bring
Questions people ask
Do meditation retreats take your phone?
Many silent retreats ask you to hand in your phone and other devices at the start, and some also ask for books and writing materials.
What if I need to be reachable?
Give the centre's emergency number to a family member. Most centres can reach you in a real emergency.
Will I feel bored without my phone?
Boredom and restlessness are common on day one or two, then often settle into a clearer, calmer attention.