Drinking from the River of Light: The Life of Expression
Guided by Mark NepoTuscany, ITALY
THE VITALS
Date: May 19 – 26, 2023
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Presenter: Mark Nepo
Investment: USD $3,995 – USD $4,365 depending on room selection per person Dbl. Occupancy
Participants: Maximum Number 34, only 1 spot available
Register Today at bottom of page
Mark Nepo’s Invitation
Drinking from the River of Light:
The Life of Expression
Based on Mark Nepo’s award-winning book, Drinking from the River of Light, this weeklong retreat will center on the lifelong process of listening, reflecting, and expressing, and on how bearing witness to the truth of living reveals the mysteries of life. Set in the Villa Cornacchi outside of Florence, Italy, the unfolding of your inner journey will take place in the birthplace of the Renaissance and will include day trips to Siena, Assisi, and Florence.
The theme of this time together will be the life of expression. As no one can live without inhaling and exhaling, no one can live without feeling and expressing. The life of expression is how the heart breathes and how our spirit grows in the life that carries it. The life of feeling, perception, and dialogue, whatever form they take, open us to a personal form of expression. This engages us in a necessary conversation with the Universe that helps us move through obstacles and transitions.
As meditation is an ancient art that deepens our relationship to how we breathe, writing and storytelling are ancient arts that deepens our relationship to all that matters. And just as the reward for practicing meditation is not that we’ll become great breathers but that we’ll become clear vessels of life-force, the reward for practicing a personal form of expression is not that we’ll become great artists or great storytellers but that such practice will help us be more resilient and wake closer to life.
In this retreat, Mark will open a heart space through which participants can discover their own rhythms of expression. Through poetry, stories, and metaphors, through reflection, journaling, and dialogue, each participant will have the chance to practice listening and expressing and to discover their own connection to the river of light that informs all life. This weeklong journey will help you to inhabit a personal form of expression, by which you can strengthen your connections and find your way.
My hope for our time together is that we can touch into the miraculous depth of being that is always just below whatever we carry. I hope that you will find the seeds of your own personal renaissance while walking the streets of the Renaissance itself. My hope is that you will return to your life having discovered and deepened a very personal form of expression that you can walk with in your days.
—Mark Nepo
You will be staying at an ancient villa, situated among the rolling hills of the Chianti wine region north-east of Siena in the typical Tuscan environment of pine and oak woods, among olive groves and vineyards. Here it is possible to admire one of the most enchanting landscapes, captivating anyone who has the opportunity to lay eyes upon it. History has bound for many centuries these lands developing cultural centers and strategic defenses. As such the Villa Estate was erected in 1529 AD. Through the centuries the Chianti area has growth to being an important cultural and wine production center with farms such as Castello di Bossi, Felsina and others acquiring international resonance.
This villa commands breathtaking views in this unique territory and has graceful landscaping which surrounds its beautiful lodgings. As one descends towards the courtyard to the garden and swimming pool area, a one-of-a-kind landscape of the Chianti region near Siena appears. A rose-covered bower separates the 20 by 7 meters infinity swimming pool from the large 7 by 2,50 meter outdoor jacuzzi.
Program Essentials
Drinking from the River of Light:
The Life of Expression
What is the structure of this retreat?
- Interactive Presentations
- Activities
- Visiting Delightful Tuscan Cities, Towns, and Villages
- Exercises to Uncover Some of the Deeper Truths We’ve Been Looking For
- Interactive Discussions
- Breakout Groups
- Experiencing Delectable Tuscan Cuisine
- And Many Surprises
In addition to Mark’s presentations, his guidance on listening, reflecting and expressing will be encouraged as you explore the various sites and Tuscan towns.
We are creating an intimate opportunity for a maximum of 28 participants. If you are interested in joining us, we recommend you register as soon as possible. Scroll to the bottom of the page to REGISTER.
A special message from Mark
Dear Friends,
I’m excited to share a rare opportunity. I will be leading a weeklong retreat in May of 2023 at the Villa Cornacchi outside of Florence, Italy. Based on my book, Drinking from the River of Light, this journey will center on the lifelong process of listening, reflecting, and expressing, and on how bearing witness to the truth of living reveals the mysteries of life. This chance to explore inwardly will take place in the birthplace of the Renaissance itself and will include day trips to Siena, Assisi, and Florence.
The theme of this time together will be the life of expression. Let me say a few words about this. As no one can live without inhaling and exhaling, no one can live without feeling and expressing. The life of expression is how the heart breathes and how our spirit grows in the life that carries it. The life of feeling, perception, and dialogue, whatever form they take, open us to a personal form of expression. This engages us in a necessary conversation with the Universe that helps us move through obstacles and transitions.
In this retreat, we will open a heart space together through which you can discover your own rhythms of expression and discover your own connection to the river of light that informs all life. This weeklong journey will help you to inhabit a personal form of expression, by which you can strengthen your connections and find your way.
My hope for our time together is that we can touch into the miraculous depth of being that is always just below whatever we carry. I hope that you will find the seeds of your own personal renaissance while walking the streets of the Renaissance itself. My hope is that you will return to your life having discovered and deepened a very personal form of expression that you can walk with in your days.
As an invitation, let me share this poem of mine…
Breaking Surface
Let no one keep you from your journey,
no rabbi or priest, no mother
who wants you to dig for treasures
she misplaced, no father
who won’t let one life be enough,
no lover who measures their worth
by what you might give up,
no voice that tells you in the night
it can’t be done.
Let nothing dissuade you
from seeing what you see
or feeling the winds that make you
want to dance alone
or go where no one
has yet to go.
You are the only explorer.
Your heart, the unreadable compass.
Your soul, the shore of a promise
too great to be ignored.
So if you are moved, please join me
Many Bessings,
—Mark Nepo
COST and ACCOMMODATIONS
Villa Casa Cornacchi
Toscana
Tuscany, ITALY
Arriving in Italy
At this time, there are no Covid vaccinations necessary or other Covid requirements to enter Italy. Wearing masks is optional during your travel and while on the retreat. Kindly note that entry requirements may change at any time, so keep checking for any changes. If Covid entry requirements do change, it is your responsibility to follow them.
Given these uncertain circumstances, we strongly reccommend that you get insurance coverage to cover issues you may encounter.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(You will be officially registered after we receive your deposit)
This retreat is limited to 34 participants, only 1 spot available, so register today!
Please note, if you register and then you cancel, there will be NO refunds given under any circumstances, so be sure to obtain proper travel insurance.
For the total cost of this retreat and to see what is included, please click on: COST
Before you register, email us at info@globalj.org or fill out the form below to make sure there is space available for your accommodations.
Once we confirm availability, follow these two simple steps:
1. Send us a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per participant via one of the four options below. Half of the remaining balance is due January 19th, 2023. The final payment is due on March 19th, 2023.
2. Wait until you receive an official registration confirmation from us before you book your flight.
Payments, Dates, Terms and Conditions
Payment : You have 4 payment options…
Option #1 – Recommended form of payment with no fees… Write a check, only from a U.S. bank account, with the appropriate amount made out to Global Journeys Inc. On the back of the check, on the endorsement line write- “For Electronic Deposit Only”. Take a clear picture of the front and the back of the check, and send both images to info@globalj.org After we receive your images and your check clears our bank, we will inform you and you can then write “Deposited” on your check so it doesn’t get used again.
Option #2 – Wire the money in U.S. dollars to the following bank account: Name and Address – Global Journeys Inc. P.O.Box 21092 Floral Park, NY 11002
Bank: JP Morgan Chase 770 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10065
Bank Account Number 3061935109
Routing Number 021000021 (if Domestic payment)
Swift/Aba Code CHASUS33 (if International payment)
Option #3 – If your account is at J.P.Morgan Chase or another commercial bank, you may make a ‘Quick Pay’ or ‘Zelle’ payment to the account of: info@globalj.org
Option # 4 – Temporarily Not Available You may pay by using PayPal. If you select option #4, please note that you are responsible for paying the processing fee: 3% if paying from the U.S and 4.6% if you are paying from outside the U.S. Through PayPal you may use your credit or debit card. Our account for a PayPal payment is: info@globalj.org
