5-Day Silent Digital Detox Retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani with Brian Piergrossi
Have you had enough yet of the news, the social media apps, reality TV, the daily grind of work, your home life, the EMFs, the urban sprawl?
Have you had enough of your own mental wheels spinning, creating endless stories and the emotional roller coaster that comes with them?
Have you had enough of the algorithm running your life?
Do you have the courage to get away with me for five days and turn everything off?
For most of you, the answer will be no.
I’m too scared.
I’m too busy.
I’m too addicted to the mind-numbing churn of the Matrix.
But for a small percentage of you, the answer will be YES.
Are you one of them?
If so, keep reading.
Just over a year ago, I experienced what was probably the most transformational five days of my entire life.
I committed to a five-day, personal, completely screen-free, fully silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani Monastery in rural Kentucky, the former home of 20th-century mystic and writer Thomas Merton. (pictured below)
So many epiphanies and insights arose during those five days that I’ve continued integrating ever since.
I went into the retreat mentally and spiritually preparing myself for what I expected would be a very difficult experience.
I knew I would be completely cut off from my family, friends, music, podcasts, news, and all my usual daily routines and habits.
To my great surprise, instead of being difficult, it became one of the most blissful periods of my entire life.
After months of reflection and prayer, I’ve become convinced that this experience is one of the greatest gifts I could ever offer you.
When all the external stimulation is cut off, truth is revealed. A joy of BEing is discovered that is acausal and ever-present.
An immense, unconditioned love at the source of all creation is touched—free from distraction.
Deeper than any passing thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
Deeper than anything we can imagine.
Anything we could ever hope to gain or fear to lose.
There were times during the retreat, deep in that pristine stillness, that I never wanted to return to “the world” again.
And yet, as I continued to move through the inner process, I found myself inspired to serve humanity more than ever, aspiring to become a beacon of God’s eternal, healing love.
I also came away appreciating my family and friends more deeply than ever before.
It is my prayer that I may show others the way home as well.
Five days.
No phone.
No news.
No social media.
No endless stream of information competing for your attention.
Just silence.
Just nature.
Just prayer.
If something within you is saying “yes” as you read these words, don’t ignore it.
Turn everything off. And discover the Presence that transcends time.
If you feel called to this retreat, I’d love to hear from you.
Setting: A Sanctuary of Silence and Simple Elegance
Nestled among nearly 2,000 rolling acres of protected woodlands and working farmland near Bardstown, Kentucky, the Abbey of Gethsemani offers a rare escape from the noise of modern life.
As the oldest operating Trappist monastery in the United States, it provides a uniquely supportive environment for contemplation, prayer, and deep inner work.
Retreat participants stay in clean, comfortable, air-conditioned private rooms with private baths, a desk, and a simple aesthetic that allows the mind to rest. Meals are prepared by the staff and served in complete silence in the monastery’s refectory.
You’ll also have access to a well-stocked spiritual library, peaceful indoor common areas, and the guest balcony overlooking the Abbey Church, where you can quietly listen to the monastic community’s beautifully chanted daily prayers.
Outside, the property opens into miles of trails winding through forests, ponds, open fields, and the scenic Kentucky knobs.
Whether you’re meditating in the church, reading in the library, walking beneath towering trees, sitting beside a quiet pond, or watching the sunset from a hilltop overlook, every part of the monastery invites stillness.
Your investment includes:
One private preparation call before the retreat.
One group video call with all participants before the retreat.
One guided meeting with me each day during the retreat for teaching, reflection, questions, and practical guidance.
One group integration call following the retreat.
Private online community before & after for all attendees
Personal texting before and after the retreat should questions arise.
Guidance informed by more than twenty years of leading over one hundred retreats in more than two dozen countries.
Lodging & Meals
The Abbey of Gethsemani has no fixed fee for lodging or meals. All guests are invited to make a confidential donation of any amount they feel is appropriate.
Travel
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the monastery:
Abbey of Gethsemani
3642 Monks Road
Trappist, KY 40051
When?
The retreat will be scheduled for a week in November of 2026 that will work for all five registered attendees.
Scheduling a Conversation
This retreat will be limited to just five participants so that it remains deeply personal, intentional, and conducive to the spirit of silence.
If this retreat resonates with you, please message me here and we’ll schedule an immediate conversation, answer any additional questions you have, and determine if it’s the right fit.
Registration deadline: Aug. 1st
About Brian Piergrossi
For over twenty years, Brian Piergrossi has worked with thousands around the world through private coaching, retreats, workshops, online courses, group programs, and authoring two books.
During that time he has led more than one hundred retreats in over two dozen countries.
Brian is happily married to his wife Annie and has two children. They live deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.