The week of the LamRim Retreat, organized by the Sangha Foundation in the context of the course “Liberation in the palm of your hand” with Ani Ciampa Tashi, ended in Assisi. It was an unforgettable experience, hosted in the Monastery of San Giuseppe by the Benedictine nuns and welcoming us, all around, the suggestive and green Umbrian hills
The event started with a special message from Ven. Massimo Stordi, president of the Sangha Foundation, who visited the room where His Holiness the Dalai Lama stayed during the interreligious meeting in Assisi on 27 October 1986.
Ani Ciampa Tashi introduced the retreat and the procedures to be done, with the explanation of the offers, a very important moment which the participants took turns dealing with every day.
Welcome greetings
During the retreat, we received introductory greetings from Angela, head of the Elpis Foundation, and Mother Superior Cecilia. St. Joseph's Monastery, with its wonderful views and outdoor garden full of native trees, shrubs and flowers, was a perfect setting for meditation and contemplation.
The outdoor garden is a beautiful, cozy and private green space that hosts trees, shrubs, flowers and native species with some shaded walks to practice our walking meditations.
Meeting with the Poor Clare nuns
One of the most precious moments was the meeting with the cloistered Poor Clare Sisters at the convent of the Basilica of Santa Chiara. Organized by the Sangha Foundation in collaboration with Marina Zola, diocesan delegate of the Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of Assisi, the meeting allowed for a significant and inspiring exchange.
Already our Abbot during his visit to Assisi last year was particularly struck by the devotion, the simple life and the profound ability to put oneself at the service of others that the Poor Clare nuns have as their life mandate.
Sister Chiara Cristiana welcomed us with big smiles and a contagious serenity of mind, a transposition of her great interior work.
He immediately shared memories of previous meetings with our monastic community.
After the introductory greetings and thanks from Ven. Massimo Stordi president of the Sangha Foundation, we had the opportunity to exchange for a precious interreligious dialogue.
Ani Ciampa Tashi asked about the value of silence, and many other very interesting questions about life and the choice of seclusion followed.
The dialogue was a fertile moment and of great inspiration for everyone.
We remembered together the visit of our Abbot last year and discussed the importance of doing retreats as fundamental practices for both our religious confessions.
We talked about how the primary motivation for withdrawing for a long time is to return to society and then be more beneficial to all sentient beings.
Sister Chiara Cristiana gave us some beautiful words "The benefit of every retreat must be discovered within oneself, like the roots of a tree, faith and mercy must be cultivated and discovered within the hearts of each of us. "
Visit to the Prison Hermitage
I Fri. Massimo Stordi and Ani Ciampa Tashi went out early in the morning, in the fresh air, to visit the Eremo delle Carceri.
Immersed in the greenery of Mount Subasio, it is a place of profound peace and spirituality. Here, among caves and centuries-old woods, the singing of birds, silence and nature, Saint Francis of Assisi retreated to find peace and solitude, dedicating himself to prayer and meditation. He sought contemplation and contact with God, living in harmony with creation.
Every step in this sacred forest invites reflection and meditation.
As well as the cave and the stone bed where he rested.
In the small oratory we recited prayers and dedicated merits for the benefit of all beings.
A special experience
In the last days of the retreat, we were fortunate enough to follow the teachings of our Abbot, Khen Rinpoche Ven. Thubten Chonyi, live online from Singapore. His exposition on “The Songs of Experience” by Lama Tsongkhapa ended the week with wisdom and kindness, leaving us inspired and grateful.
We thank all the participants, those who supported us remotely, the Benedictine nuns of the Monastery of San Giuseppe, the Poor Clare nuns and Marina Zola for the warm welcome. We hope to be able to organize another retreat soon.
The Lam Rim class with Ani Ciampa Tashi will resume online on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 18:30 p.m..
