A retreat is a time to step out of the busyness of daily life and into the sanctuary of our hearts. It includes spiritual teachings and psychological tools which give us the ability to find our own authentic, true and joy filled life.This is an opportunity to explore our own spirituality and be with others who are also pilgrims of the heart.
The tradition of making a spiritual retreat is in every religion. In the West, Jews take retreat every Sabbath where they find time for family and God. Since the beginning, Christians have gone into the desert, mountains, and monasteries on retreat to be sensitive to the presence of God. In the East, it is routine for people to visit an ashram, temple, or monastery for days, weeks, or longer to find new direction and spiritual renewal.
All over the world, lay people and religious of many traditions, take retreat from the commitments of everyday life to have time for matters of the heart. The Buddhists call this our Buddha nature, the Christian our Christ light, the Hindus the atma or soul. A retreat is a time to find the inner steps to spiritual development, the steps common to all religions. The first step is to say "no" to the busy-ness of our daily life and "yes" to ourselves. It is to slow down and find space for our spiritual self. In the simplicity of the retreat experience, we can find more of our true selves. We discover once again our spiritual nature, openness, and faith. We feel connected.
The retreat atmosphere invites us to be fully in the present with a soft heart. Here is so much presence. There are worlds and worlds of God inside of us to discover. This is the peace, the fruit of the retreat experience. Sacred space, prayer, meditation, community, nature, all support us to affirm once again the life of our soul.
Daily Program:
Day 1: Slowing Down - We meet at the Assisi East-West Center in the heart of Assisi, near San Rufino Cathedral Square 3PM. Our beginning meditation helps us to slow down from our busy daily routine and become more fully present. Slowly we become touched by the simple peace of Assisi. Around 4:30 we will have free time until dinner at 6:30. At 8:30 in the evening we meet again at the Center. For those who wish, each person has an opportunity to share their most authentic and true moment of the day. The evenings are a restful and heart centering time where Bruce will give individual suggestions on how to deepen your retreat experience.
Day 2: The Simple Heart - 9:00 Morning Meditation, 10 AM The group starts. We learn about the simple heart and how we can soften, honor our humanness, and let go of struggles. Than we take a meditative walk.. There is then free time until 3 PM. You will have lunch at your hotel at 12:30. At 3 PM we continue the theme of the simple heart and accepting our humanness. We always take a restful meditative walk to complement meditation periods. We may visit the simple peace found in the Olive trees around San Damiano and have free time until dinner at 6:30. At 8:30 PM we meet again for evening meditation.
The next days: have different spiritual themes and lessons. As we meditate, visit the sacred sites and walk in the nature, we find our own authentic spiritual connection. Each of us is uniquely different and the retreats are a time to honor this. Nature Tai Chi will be offered during each day for those that wish to participate
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
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