Italian retreat_2024 Fall (15)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (14)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (13)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (12)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (10)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (9)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (7)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (6)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (5)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (4)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (3)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (2)

Italian retreat_2024 Fall (1)

The Fall season is one of the most beautiful to be experienced being in direct contact with nature: the days are still warm and the landscapes have intense colours, from yellow to orange to red. The forests offer a unique spectacle: the leaves, slowly, lose their natural colouring and change into a warmer one, as the days get shorter and the temperatures decrease. It is a season that naturally invites to transformation and inner reflection.

For this reason, we have organised a Silence Retreat during this period.

The Retreat took place in November, from the 21^st to the 24^th, in Camaldoli at the Oasi del Divin Maestro, a house of prayer run by nuns, where it was possible to experience a total and complete immersion into the beauty of its Sacred forests. The same place where in May 2025, from the 22^nd till the 25^th, it will take place the International Retreat with Swami Ritavan Bharati, Spiritual Guide of the Himalayan Tradition, on the theme “Mantra and Meditation”.

From the moment we arrived, we were able to experience the enchantment of Fall, which allowed us to get in touch with the five elements: rain, fog and wind welcomed us with a great storm that accompanied us until the middle of the second day, when a warm sun appeared and stayed with us till our departure. The crisp, cheerful, cool but not cold morning air, its veiled skies and multicoloured sunrises (typical of the autumn period) naturally introduced the search for intimacy that Silence requires. Autumn, like Silence, invites us to listen, to withdraw, to stay in quietness. And then, as the day progressed, the light of the sun (which became more and more intense and warm) illuminated and warmed the path, like a reliable guide that illuminates and shows the path to walk.

All around us, everywhere, leaves, leaves and more leaves: intense and warm colours, a true palette of colours. But also a carpet covering, protecting, warming Mother Earth, and the soft sound of our footsteps gently touching them, as if we, too, wanted to take care of Mother Earth.

A poem that overflows, overwhelms and invites the mind to gentleness, to calmness, to peacefulness. An invitation to enjoy the fullness in Silence.

The direct and profound contact with nature and the five elements pacifies and makes oneself realise that everything is perfect as it is: the immersion into Silence took place naturally and gradually. A few days, but deep and intense, accompanied by devotional chanting, joints and glands and hatha yoga practices, deep relaxations, nadi shodhana, meditation, contemplative walking, silent walking in the forest immersed in the beauty of nature, where the senses were activated but at the same time withdrawn into deep contemplation.

And then japa, contemplation, rest, introspection and silence. Nothing else, but silence.

The truly peaceful and enchanting place, completely immersed in the sacredness of the Camaldoli forest, allowed the mind to gradually settle down and to give space to the expansion of the wave of silence. The kind and caring attitude of the nuns was a drop of balsam for our, initially, restless souls; the chants of their morning Lauds reminded us of the true meaning of Union in the diversity. A unique single mindfield, strengthened by the power of Silence.

The followings are some reflections from few participants:

“In Silence I rediscovered what I didn’t know how to define as a child, but now I think I can define: Sacred tremors, through Morning Lauds. The Mother of Silence, The Divine Mother who invites to Silence, who is with us in Silence”.

 “For me, Silence is a moment during which all my weaknesses emerge. There is a subtle and profound way of communicating in Silence, which originates in ourselves and expands. I felt the expansion of this space and time, and a great stillness coming. And from this space, often mentioned in the practice, I was able to observe myself and be with myself. It was a time  just to be, to be here and to let go of the constant need to do something. It was also a way to reconnect with the Christian religion, that I have put aside for so many years, but whose deep spiritual message guides me and is one with our beloved Masters’ message”.

“I came in a hurry and breathless because this is a very busy moment at work, where I also talk a lot. And all this talking, for me, is often uncomfortable. Coming here was regenerating, in this context even more for me. I need silence, it belongs to me, just as I need solitude. These places are very dear to me. When I can, I come here and walk and then I stop and reconnect with my most profound silence, with my most hidden and authentic part, which is emerging more and more. And that is nice to bring out”.

“Silence is very attractive to me and I feel good in it. And I feel good in the forest. It is home. So both things together, for me, during these days have been very good. So many emotions, so many tears: for a recent loss that needed to be watered, for something I still have to fully understand and, this morning, for the honey with mandarine! It was so good that I was moved!”.

“To slow down and to reconnect with being a child. To rediscover slowness in every movement. I need to slow down. That’s my nature: wishing to find that peace, that slowness, which unfortunately I don’t have every day. Slowing down, being in contact with nature. In these spaces I can reconnect with myself. And in these spaces I allow myself to be that child I have never been. The contemplative walk I did barefoot, in the wet grass, freezing my feet, allowed me to let go of all the tensions”.

Our wish, for all of us, is to be able to bring some seeds of this Silence into our daily lives, sprinkling petals of light and stillness into the minds and hearts of everyone around us.
The real challenge begins now: the real Silence begins now.

“Fill yourself with meditation. Fill yourself with contemplation. Fill yourself with your mantra. Make Silence an opportunity for a dive into the deeper layers of the mind”. Swami Veda Bharati

In loving service,

Ilaria