Spiritual Awakening and Non-duality in Assisi, Italy)
with Swami Atmananda Udasin
from Saturday 30th November to Wednesday 4th December 2019
International Retreat in Assisi, December 2019
Spiritual Awakening and Non-duality in Assisi, Italy)
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 the intense spiritual atmosphere of the small medieval town of Assisi where he lived.
Swami Atmananda invites us to join him in this auspicious setting to explore the nature of spiritual awakening through the fundamental concepts of Non-Duality. 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. As our spiritual inquiry deepens, our attention is freed from the habitual tendencies of the mind and can return to the source of our awareness itself. In this profound recognition of that wich is always present, we can discover our true nature as pure Consciousness.
The three-day Retreat will consist of conscious morning walks, group meditation sessions (preceded by an introduction), and teachings followed by dialogue with participants. There will be French and English translation available for all participants. 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.
Organised by: The Association Les Amis d’Ajatananda Ashram
In French and English with simultaneous translation
Dates:
From 7:30 pm on Saturday 30th November (arrival possible from 4 pm onwards) to 10 am on Wednesday December 4th 2019.
Venue: Assisi, Italy
Accomodation : Participants will stay at either La Casa Papa Giovanni or La Cittadella Ospitalità and will eat their meals where they lodge.
1 – half of the participants will lodge at La Casa Papa Giovanni, Via San Paolo 32, 06081 Assisi (PG),
2- half of the participants will lodge at La Cittadella Ospitalità della Pro Civitate Christiana, Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG),
The satsangs will be held at La Cittadella Ospitalità della Pro Civitate Christiana in Assisi.
For more information, see PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION .
Registration will open on the 15th of June 2019, from 12:00 pm. Kindly note that, for practical reasons, online registration is preferred.
Pilgrimage:
You are also welcome to join us for an optional 3-day pilgrimage, which will take place before the retreat, from 1:30 pm on Wednesday 27th November to 2 pm on Saturday 30th November 2019. This pilgrimage will retrace the footsteps of both Saint Francis of Assisi and the great Italian mystic and genuine 11th-century sannyasi, Saint Romuald of Ravenna (951-1027).
Overview of the pilgrimage schedule:
- departure from Assisi by coach on Wednesday 27th November to the Sanctuary of Camaldoli (2½-hour drive, approximately).
- 2 nights in Camaldoli: Thursday 28th November will be devoted entirely to contemplation and meditation.
- departure from Camaldoli by coach on Friday 29th November to the Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna, one of the most important Franciscan monasteries in Italy where Saint Francis spent long periods of time and where he received the Stigmata.
- lunch in La Verna on Friday 29th November
- return to Assisi for dinner on Friday 29th November
- visit to Carceri hermitage on the morning of Saturday 30th November
Registrations for the pilgrimage are temporarily suspended!
We are sorry to inform you that the number of pilgrims registered for the pilgrimage has reached the limit of the accommodation capacity of the Camaldoli Monastery.
See page: https://amis-ajatananda.org/les-amis-dajatananda-ashram/retraites/retraite-internationale/inscription-2019_en/
N.B.: Early arrival or departure after the retreat
Kindly be advised that the organising team, which consists of the Board of the Association and a few volunteers, ONLY manages reservations and on-site logistics for the dates of the retreat and the pilgrimage.
If you wish to arrive before these dates or extend your stay afterwards, you should contact the accommodation establishments directly to enquire about reserving extra nights and meals. You should do this once you have completed your Retreat registration.
1 – La Casa Papa Giovanni, Via San Paolo 32 – 06081 Assisi (PG), Italy
Phone: +39 075 812467
E-mail: casapapagiovanni@yahoo.it
2 – La Cittadella Ospitalità della Pro Civitate Christiana, Via degli Ancaiani, 3, 06081 Assisi (PG), Italy
Phone: +39 075 813231
E-mail: ospitalita@cittadella.org
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions:
- For all questions regarding the 2019 Retreat or the 2019 Pilgrimage, please use the following e-mail address: assisi2019@amis-ajatananda.org
- For all questions regarding the Association or our other programmes, please use the usual e-mail address: amis.ajatananda@gmail.com
Given the complexity of organising this International Retreat and the number of expected participants (90 participants in 2018!), we would be very grateful if you could send any questions you might have by e-mail only. We appreciate your understanding in this regard. It may, nevertheless, be possible to arrange a telephone appointment, if necessary.