Retreat Life ⎪What happens during a retreat at Amiglia?
When attending a retreat, we choose to step out of our usual routines and make space for something different. We take time to pause, reflect, practise self-inquiry, and allow stillness to become our reference point rather than plans, expectations, or the constant activity of everyday life.
At Amiglia, every retreat revolves around uncovering our true nature. Whether through meditation, movement, self-inquiry, dream work, or creative exploration, the invitation is always the same: to look beyond the stories we tell about ourselves and discover what remains when we simply allow ourselves to be.
The work we do involves both body and mind. Our true nature is not our name, our personal history, or our attachments, but that from which all experience arises.
Natural Rhythm
During a retreat, we follow the rhythm of the sessions and shared meals, while leaving plenty of space for individual reflection and rest.
Many participants are surprised by how nourishing this spaciousness can be. Time opens up for contemplation, journaling, observing nature, listening to birdsong, walking through the hills, visiting the vegetable garden, or simply sitting quietly under a tree.
The morning practice begins at 7:30 am as the church bells from the village ring across the valley. We gather in silence in the meditation hall and each find our place on a meditation cushion.
→ Learn more about the morning practice.
The rest of the day depends on the retreat you have chosen.
Most retreats include periods of silence. Sometimes this means maintaining silence between the evening session and the following morning. At other times it may extend over part of a day or even an entire day.
Silence helps us move beyond habitual mental chatter. Although it can initially feel unfamiliar or challenging, it often allows us to experience ourselves, others, and the world around us with greater clarity and depth.
Karma Yoga
Retreat life is not only about receiving; it is also about participating.
We share meals together, and we care for the place and for one another. Participants are invited to contribute up to one hour a day in the kitchen, garden, or another area where support is needed.
This practice is known as karma yoga—selfless action offered in service of the whole. Rather than being a chore, many people discover it as an opportunity to connect more deeply with the community, the land, and the simple joy of doing something together.
Dream Yoga
During retreats led by Zoe, dreams also become part of the inquiry.
Each morning, participants are invited to share dreams they remember from the night. Just as our waking experiences contain information and insight, our dreams can reveal patterns, emotions, and perspectives that are not always immediately visible during the day.
By setting the intention to remember our dreams and exploring them together, we cultivate the practice of dream yoga. Over time, this often deepens our ability to recognise meaningful connections between our inner world and the processes unfolding in our lives.
Many participants find this to be one of the most enriching and surprising aspects of the retreat experience.
Retreats at Amiglia
Every retreat has its own focus and rhythm, yet all are grounded in presence, self-inquiry, and the opportunity to reconnect with what is most essential.