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Silence is a rare commodity now.

But many people report that silence can be a terrific catalyst for creative ideas and insights. There's a legend that Archimedes discovered the implications of displacement as he stepped into the bath. Perhaps the bathroom is one of the few places these days where people have solitary space.

However, some UWA staff have been availing themselves of another opportunity for silence in contemplative retreats and quiet days.

They are run by UWA 's Anglican chaplain, Michael Wood, with support from Heather Deighan and Richard Pengelley. Michael presented information about them to staff during Teaching and Learning Month.

He has been running retreats for four years, since reading Parker J Palmer's books, including The Courage to Teach .

"The sessions evolved out of Parker J Palmer's ideas and retreat programs and I thought that UWA staff could benefit from them," he said.

Palmer is a US author and educator who focuses on community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He is the founder of the Centre for Courage and Renewal which has developed various retreat programs for teachers and community leaders. He is a Quaker and his approach emphasises the value of quiet time to reflect, and allow inner wisdom to emerge in the company of other people who share a commitment to deep and careful listening.

"In his book, The Courage to Teach , Palmer reflects on the courage required to get up in front of a class of students," Michael said. "Teaching requires not just sound pedagogy but also the courage to put your whole self out there with integrity and authenticity."

He originally framed the retreats for teaching staff, but they soon expanded to include other academics and professional staff.

The retreat is run once a year, in the week after final exams. It is a two day reflective space at the end of a busy year, and it is held in a bush setting, either in the Perth hills or at Muresk. "I started the quiet days last year for people who have family commitments or can't otherwise take two days away.

"These days are also spent in a bush setting, twice a year. This year, the first quiet day was during the non-teaching week in first semester; the second will be during the July break.

"The day starts with a conversation about the underlying principles and boundaries for developing safety and trust - which are essentially about listening deeply to yourself but also listening to others, and not having to offer advice or try to solve their problems," he said.

"After we agree on the boundaries, we help people to move into a more ‘interior' space by reflecting together on a poem. Then the rest of the day, from about 11.30am to 3.30pm, is spent in silence.

"Participants can read, go for a walk in the bush, write in their own journals, whatever they like, to help themselves gain clarity in whatever they are thinking about.

"The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Staff say they have had exceptional success in focusing their thoughts once they are removed from the business of their everyday lives."

The retreats are run along the same lines as the quiet days. Most of them have about six participants but it's possible to run with groups of up to 20. Michael said some staff had chosen to continue to meet as a contemplative group.

"I'm really pleased that staff are finding them so useful," he said. "The days are low on content and high on space."

Published in UWA News , 28 May 2012