Saint Francis’ message of universal love, peace, tolerance, and unity has made him one of the most inspiring spiritual figures of the Western world over the past millennium. Mahatma Gandhi praised him as one of the greatest sages in human history. His radiant presence can still be deeply felt today, as can the powerful spiritual atmosphere of the small medieval town of Assisi, where he lived at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries.
Swami Atmananda invites us to share a time of retreat in the unique and sacred setting of Assisi to explore the ultimate nature of Reality and Spiritual Awakening through the timeless teachings of Non-duality.
Freed from the mind’s habitual tendencies, our attention naturally turns toward its own source. In the stillness within, our true nature is revealed as pure, infinite, and eternal Consciousness.
* * *
The retreat will include:
– Mindful morning walks
– Group meditation sessions
– Teachings by Swami Atmananda
– Q&A sessions
Our team will welcome participants on Friday, December 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at your accommodation.
Upon arrival:
1. You will receive your participant badge, to be worn throughout the retreat
2. You may settle your accommodation payment (cash or credit card)
3. Dinner will be served around 7:00 p.m. at your accommodation
4. The introduction evening will begin at 9:00 p.m. at La Cittadella Ospitalità
If you wish to have lunch on Friday, December 12, or arrive one day or two days before (Wednesday, 10 or Thursday, 11), please indicate this in the registration form at the bottom of the page.
The retreat concludes on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
If you would like to have lunch on-site on December 16 or extend your stay for an extra night (December 16–17), please indicate this in the registration form.
The satsangs will take place at:
La Cittadella Ospitalità
Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG)
Most participants will sit on chairs. If you prefer to sit on the floor, please bring your meditation cushion and mat.
Participants will be accommodated in the following two houses:
Casa Papa Giovanni
📍 Via San Paolo 32, 06081 Assisi (PG)
☎️ +39 075 812467
✉️ casapapagiovanni@yahoo.it
🌐 Site web
La Cittadella Ospitalità
📍 Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG)
☎️ +39 075 813231
✉️ ospitalita@cittadella.org
🌐 Site web
You may select your preferred accommodation during registration. Most participants will stay at Casa Papa Giovanni, while some may stay at La Cittadella Ospitalità. Meals will be served at your accommodation.
Both sites are about 600 meters apart (a 10-minute walk through Assisi’s charming medieval streets and steps). If walking is difficult, we recommend staying at La Cittadella to avoid walking back and forth twice a day.
We will do our best to secure a place for you in the accommodation of your choice. We thank you for your kind understanding and flexibility.
Participants are responsible for their own travel to Assisi.
A separate information page provides:
– Options for travelling by plane, train, or car
– Carpooling opportunities
– Nearby parking guidance
Please make sure to arrive on time for the on-site registration check.
This contribution covers:
– Administrative costs
– Transport and accommodation for Swamiji and his assistant
– Rental of the Satsang Hall
– Bus rental for a morning trip to Santa Maria degli Angeli
Two venues host participants: Casa Papa Giovanni and La Cittadella Ospitalità. Both offer:
– Double or triple rooms
– A limited number of single rooms
⚠️ Important Note
Priority for single rooms will be given to participants with specific health needs.
€251
(single room)
€273
(single room)
€251
(double/triple room)
€233
(double/triple room)
This includes:
– Accommodation
– All vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from Friday, December 12 dinner to Tuesday, December 16 breakfast.
⚠️ Important Notes
– Accommodation fees are payable on-site (cash or card, euros only).
– A city tax of €6 per person (€2 per day for the first three days) is payable on-site.
Room Sharing
You may indicate a preferred roommate in the registration form. If you come alone, a roommate of the same gender will be assigned. Limited room availability may require some participants to stay in triple rooms.
The retreat is organized by Les Amis d’Ajatananda Ashram, a non-profit association. For insurance reasons, only members may participate in retreats held outside France.
Membership supports Ajatananda Ashram and Swami Atmananda’s activities. If you are not yet a member for 2025, you may join during registration:
– Minimal membership: €5
– Standard membership: €20
– Supportive membership: €30
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 are most welcome to do so by using the Donation Box during the retreat. You can also donate online.
All contributions are greatly appreciated and received with deep gratitude.
Teachings will be delivered in French and English, with simultaneous translation into French, English, and Italian.
⚠️ Informations importantes
Pour écouter la traduction pendant les satsangs, il vous faudra :
– A smartphone
– Earphones or headphones
– The Zoom app installed in advance
Please ensure your device is fully charged before each Satsang. We encourage you to attend the introduction evening on Friday, December 12 at 8:30 p.m. to set up and test your connection.
You could consider taking out personal travel insurance to help cover any unexpected cancellation costs.
⚠️ Important Notes
Registrations for the Retreat are now closed as of November 20th.
However, a few spots are still available, and last-minute cancellations may occur.
Please write to us promptly by email for more information: amis.ajatananda@gmail.com