Silent Stay Meditation & Retreats

Silent Stay Retreats has led silent retreats worldwide since 1986, and it is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Its co-founders, Bruce Davis, PhD, a spiritual psychologist whose 1975 book The Magical Child Within You is considered by many the first on nurturing the inner child, and Ruth Davis, a spiritual teacher and retreat leader, began leading retreats together in 1993.

The lineage runs through places as much as people. In 2000 the Davises founded the Assisi Retreat Center in Italy as a Temple to the World Religions, and opened Silent Stay Assisi in 2002. They lived there twelve years. According to the center, its ecumenical work received the blessing of Pope John Paul II, and CNN and Travel & Leisure named it one of the top ten meditation centers in the world. In 2012 they co-founded a meditation center in Vacaville, California, which a wildfire destroyed in 2020. Ruth has described the loss as a spiritual surrender, finding that the peace found in silence can never be taken or destroyed.

Today the retreats are held at Pacifica Graduate Institute, 801 Ladera Lane in Montecito. The campus sits at the foot of the Santa Ynez mountains on 35 acres of gardens with ocean views, and it was originally a Jesuit monastery dedicated to silent retreats. Meandering paths invite silent walking, and the lawns invite sky-gazing.

The program draws on Vedic philosophy, Franciscan spirituality and modern psychology. Days alternate guided Heartfulness meditation, silent sitting and moving practice with open time for journaling and reflection. No experience is needed, and instruction is given to newcomers. Nicole Becker, a holistic yoga therapist, offers gentle heart-centered yoga on retreat. The campus is under renovation, and retreats resume in spring 2027, with private rooms and all meals from $1,050. Six-day Assisi retreats, which include guided pilgrimage walks, are also offered.