22 Days in a Buddhist Monastery: Clarity That Comes From Silence

22 Days in a Buddhist Monastery: Clarity That Comes From Silence

From Tell Me What It's Like by Stacy Raine

March 4, 2026 · 51 min · Season 2 · Episode 29

About this episode

Laurie Jacobson shares her transformative experience during a 22-day silent retreat at a Buddhist monastery, which helped her gain clarity and strength to leave her unhappy marriage.

When Laurie Jacobson was 43, she found herself in a deeply unhappy marriage and increasingly isolated and depressed. After years of trying conventional therapies and self-help approaches without relief, she made a decision that felt radical at the time: she signed up for a silent retreat at a Buddhist monastery she’d discovered through a pamphlet in a coffee shop. Over the next 22 days of meditation and silence, Laurie experienced a profound shift in perspective that helped her see her life differently, and ultimately gave her the clarity she needed to make a difficult life decision. "Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, because sometimes it takes stepping outside your comfort zone to find a better place." Hear Laurie talk about: What daily life was like during a silent meditation retreat Why she decided to go to a Buddhist monastery after trying many other forms of help The surprising mental clarity that can come from long periods of silence and meditation How the experience changed the way she saw her marriage and gave her the strength to leave it The lessons she carried forward about openness, desire, and letting go Mentioned in this episode: Theravada Buddhism…

People in this episode

Host: Stacy Raine

Guest: Laurie Jacobson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Theravada Buddhism

Books & works: Unexpected Awakening: 22 Days at a Buddhist Monastery Freed Me from Abuse

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