Seven-Day Retreat at Mandali, 5-12 September 2027: The White Radiance of Eternity, Non-Duality through Poetry

This seven-day non-duality retreat with Rupert Spira takes place at Mandali Retreat Center in Quarna Sopra, in the Piedmont hills of northern Italy, and takes poetry as its theme: "The White Radiance of Eternity." It is for people who want to go deeply into non-dual understanding, whether they come seeking peace, truth, love or freedom, or simply to see old friends again. It is the second of two back-to-back weeklong retreats at Mandali, and guests are welcome to book both.

What to Expect

Each day brings guided meditation, in which the invitation is to rest in being, as being, and dialogue in which the non-dual understanding is explored together. Between sessions there is time for friendship, creativity and quiet. Evenings may be spent with friends, watching a film together, or celebrating through poetry and music.

The retreat opens on a Sunday afternoon with check-in, dinner and an evening guided meditation. From Monday to Saturday the rhythm is steady: guided meditation from 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning, breakfast, a second guided meditation from 11:30 to 12:30, lunch at 1:00, then meditation and dialogue from 4:30 to 6:30, followed by dinner. The final Sunday has breakfast, a last session of meditation and dialogue from 10:00 to noon, lunch, and departure by 2:00 in the afternoon.

Mandali also offers one yoga class each day. Places are limited and are filled first come, first served. A livestream is available for those who cannot attend in person. It is booked separately and includes two dialogue sessions with live questions to Rupert.

About Rupert Spira

Rupert Spira is a meditation teacher whose work centers on Advaita Vedanta, the nondual philosophy rooted in Indian classical thought, together with Sufi devotional practice. Born in London, he encountered the poetry of Rumi in 1975 at the age of fifteen, and that meeting opened the way into the mystical and contemplative traditions he has explored for five decades. Soon afterward he learned the Mevlevi Turning at Colet House in London, a Sufi practice that combines movement, prayer and meditation. He then met Dr. Francis Roles, a student of Shantananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the North of India. His approach joins the direct-path inquiry of Advaita with the embodied, heart-centered practice of Sufism.

The Setting

Mandali sits on a hilltop just over an hour from Milan, with views over Lake Orta and the Swiss Alps beyond. Guests can use the spa and pool and explore the countryside around the centre.

Accommodation on site ranges from single rooms with a lake or garden view, to twin and double rooms, to shared dormitories for four. Commuter places are available for those staying elsewhere. Nearby options include a family-run guesthouse within walking distance, two neighbouring houses with panoramic lake views served by a complimentary minibus, and a two-bedroom apartment about 90 metres from the centre.

All meals are vegetarian and served buffet-style, with many vegan and gluten-free dishes. Vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options are available if requested in advance. Mandali cannot guarantee against cross-contamination, so anyone with food allergies should speak with the organiser beforehand.

The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, roughly 80 minutes away by car, and a coach service runs from the airport. Taxis in the area are limited and should be arranged ahead, as ride-hailing apps are not reliable. Linate and Bergamo are further away and harder to connect from by public transport.

Before You Go

Three meals and refreshments each day, all guided meditation and dialogue sessions, and use of the spa and pool are included, along with accommodation according to the room type chosen. Travel to Mandali, airport transfers, and accommodation for commuter guests are not included. Ear plugs are worth bringing if you will share a dormitory and are sensitive to sound while sleeping. Anyone with physical limitations that might make a particular bed type unsuitable should tell the organiser, Neil O'Sullivan, when booking.