International Assisi Retreat – December 2023
Spiritual Awakening and Non-duality
with Swami Atmananda Udasin
Assisi (Italy), 15 – 19 December 2023
Presentation
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 mediaeval 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.
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The Retreat will consist of conscious morning walks, group meditation sessions, and Swami Atmananda’s 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 Friday 15 December, 7:30 p.m. (registration possible from 4 p.m.) to Tuesday 19 December 2023, 11 a.m.
The organizing team manages the reservations and on-site logistics for the Retreat dates only (15–19 December).
If you wish to book additional nights before or after the Retreat, you will be able to do so yourself later in November, after final registration, by contacting the accommodation where you will be staying.
Venues
Satsang Hall
The Satsangs will be held at La Cittadella Ospitalità, Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG).
Accommodations
Participants will stay either at Casa Papa Giovanni or La Cittadella Ospitalità and will eat their meals where they lodge.
– Casa Papa Giovanni, Via San Paolo 32, 06081 Assisi (PG)
– La Cittadella Ospitalità, Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG)
Transport
You must arrange your own transport to Assisi. Our Transport information page provides some details on how to travel to Assisi by plane, train and car, including an option for carpooling.
Please make sure to arrive on time for the on-site registration check.
Cost for the 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: €250-270 per person*
(*final price yet to be confirmed depending on the number of participants)
This price covers your accommodation for 4 nights in a twin room and all your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from dinner on Friday, 15 to breakfast on Tuesday, 19 December. All meals are vegetarian.
You will be able to choose your roommate at the moment of Registration.
A few single rooms are available at both accommodation sites. At the Cittadella this will involve an additional cost of €10 per night. If the demand for single rooms exceeds availability, preference will be given to people with health problems.
Please note that this price also includes the rental of the Satsang hall.
You will be able to pay for the accommodation at the time of Registration (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 outside France for its members (for insurance reasons).
Your membership will contribute to support the Ajatananda Ashram and the activities of Swami Atmananda.
If you have not already joined the Association Les Amis d’Ajatananda Ashram for the current year, it is necessary to do so in order to participate in this Retreat.
– Basic membership: €5
– Standard membership: €20
– Supporting membership: €30
Teaching
The teachings are offered on a conscious donation basis.
All 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 support the Ashram and help it promote its activities in the field of non-dual teaching and interreligious dialogue, you can make a conscious donation. More information on how to donate will be given at the time of registration.
All contributions are greatly appreciated and received with deep gratitude.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: satsangretreats@gmail.com
Pre-Registration for the Assisi Retreat – December 2023
If you wish to participate in the Retreat, we kindly recommend that you pre-register early to secure your place. This will also allow us to better calculate the number of participants and to make the necessary logistical arrangements.
You will be notified by e-mail when Registration opens by mid-November.
More information about the Retreat will then be provided.