SILENCE might be golden, but businessman Jon Treanor found it almost impossible to get any in the hurly burly of modern life.

Faced with constant noise from TVs, telephones and even computers, he leapt at the chance to put his life on hold and take a vow of silence helped by Benedictine monks.

Mr Treanor, 55, founder of business advisers Conduit Partners, joined four others for reality TV show The Big Silence.

The silent treatment lasted a total of 11 days, firstly at Worth Abbey, West Sussex, and then at St Bino’s Catholic Centre in North Wales, run by Jesuit priests and spiritual guides.

He was guided by the Abbot of Worth, Father Christopher Jamison, who believes that through silence people can understand themselves better and have a clearer vision of life.

And Mr Treanor said the experience had had a major impact.

Mr Treanor said: “I had been wanting to change things in my life. I have been quite successful in business but it is losing its appeal.

“The idea of silence sounded terrifying but I really did ‘find myself’. You can’t go that deeply into silence and not have it affect your life.”

No talking was allowed, except a one-hour daily counselling session, and the recording of a short diary on tape.

Mr Treanor: “I learned to love and accept myself more and discovered what was really important to me and what wasn’t.

“It was a real cathartic journey but it took away anxiety and I learned to accept myself and avoid stress.”

Helped by Father Brendan Callaghan of the Jesuit Centre in Oxford, Mr Treanor has now built silence into his daily routine.

He watches less TV and even his taste in music has changed from hard rock to jazz and blues. He is now studying for a psychotherapy degree to support chief executives and managers through his firm at Milton Park, near Didcot.

He is also spending more time with daughters Porcha, 30, 14-year-old Molly, and nine-year-old grandson Milo.

Mr Treanor admits he is “still not a fan” of religion but has become far more spiritual as a result of the experience.

He added: “It is difficult to maintain but I would highly recommend people take a weekend retreat in silence.

“It is an amazing experience because it gives you a different perspective.”

The Big Silence is on BBC2 tomorrow at 7pm.