International Assisi Retreat, December 2022
Spiritual Awakening and Non-duality in Assisi (Italy)
with Swami Atmananda Udasin
from Friday, 16 to Tuesday, 20 December 2022
Saint Francis’ message of universal love, peace, tolerance and unity made him perhaps the most fascinating spiritual figure of the West in the last millennium. Mahatma Gandhi exalted him as one of the greatest sages to have ever lived. His radiant presence is still felt today, as is the intense spiritual atmosphere of the small medieval town of Assisi where he lived at the turn of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Swami Atmananda invites us to join him in this auspicious setting to explore the nature of spiritual Awakening through the fundamental concepts of the Non-duality teachings. We will uncover and contemplate the universal Truth that lies at the centre of both Advaita Vedanta and Christian mysticism.
The presence of the Poverello (the “Little Poor One”, as St. Francis was known) is an invitation to discover the infinite space of the Heart as our innermost Self. In this deeply rich environment our spiritual inquiry can deepen, freeing our attention from the habitual tendencies of the mind, allowing it to return to the source of Awareness itself. In this profound recognition of That which is always present, we can discover our true nature as pure Consciousness.
The four-day Retreat will consist of conscious morning walks, group meditation sessions, and teachings followed by dialogue with participants.
The teachings will be in French and English with simultaneous translation into English, French and Italian.
Our focus will be on remaining with our own inner silence in order to take full advantage of the spiritual energy of Assisi, which has a rich history as a place of initiation and inner Awakening.
Dates
From 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 16 December (check-in possible from 4:00 pm onwards) to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 December 2022.
Those who wish to do so, can come one day earlier, on Thursday, 15 December, and spend some quiet time in contemplation on the holy places associated with the great mystic Francis of Assisi.
The organizing team manages only the on-site reservations and logistics for the retreat dates (December 16 to 20).
You will be able to book this extra night by contacting the accommodation venues yourself, after the final Registration.
Venues
Satsang Hall
The Satsangs will be held at La Cittadella Ospitalità, Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG).
Accommodations
Participants will stay at either La Casa Papa Giovanni or La Cittadella Ospitalità and will eat their meals where they lodge.
— La Casa Papa Giovanni, Via San Paolo 32, 06081 Assisi (PG)
— La Cittadella Ospitalità, Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG)
Cost for the 4-day Retreat
1 – Administrative fees: €25
To be paid at the time of Pre-Registration.
This fee is used to cover the Association’s administrative expenses. It is non-refundable in the event of your cancellation.
2 – Full-board accommodation: €230-240 per person*
(*final price yet to be confirmed depending on the number of participants)
This price covers your accommodation in a twin room and all your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from dinner on Friday, 16 December to breakfast on Tuesday, 20 December. All meals are vegetarian.
You will be able to choose your roommate at the moment of Registration.
A few single rooms are available, with an extra cost of €10 per night. Preference will be given to those with medically certified health problems.
Please note that this price also includes the rental of the Satsang hall, which is equipped with an excellent sound system.
You will be able to pay for the accommodation at the time of Registration.
Registration will open by mid-November.
3 – Membership in the Association
This Retreat is organized by the Association Les Amis d’Ajatananda Ashram, which is a non-profit organization under the French 1901 Law on Associations, that can only organize events for its members.
Your membership will contribute to support the Ajatananda Ashram and the activities of Swami Atmananda.
If you have not already joined the Friends of Ajatananda Ashram for the current year, it is necessary to do so in order to participate in this Retreat. As the end of the year approaches, your membership will also count for the year 2023.
— Standard membership: €20
— Supporting membership: €30
You will be able to join the Association for the year 2022 at the time of Registration.
Teaching
The teachings are offered on a conscious donation basis.
All of the programmes organized by the Ashram in India and Europe are offered free of charge. Ajatananda Ashram is a non-profit organization and, as such, depends entirely on donations to cover day to day expenses. If you feel inspired to help the Ashram promote its mission, you can make a conscious donation. All contributions are greatly appreciated and received with deep gratitude.
More information on how to donate will be given at the time of registration.
Pre-Registration for the Assisi Retreat - December 2022
We will provide the full information and the Registration form on our website by mid-November.