Participant Information Package

Transcription

1 Eckhart Tolle TV Retreat Assisi, Italy October 4-9, 2013 Participant Information Package TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. A Note from Eckhart and Kim 2. Map of Assisi and Hotels 3. List of Hotels 4. Ground Transportation 5. Meal Information 6. Retreat Etiquette 7. Retreat Schedule Page 1 of 12

2 WELCOME Dear Retreat Participant, It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to this retreat. We are happy that you are here and our wish for you is to experience the stillness that can only be found within. We chose Assisi as the location for this retreat because of its ancient history rooted in spiritual tradition, and its resonance with stillness. We were in Assisi a few years ago, and while here, we felt a special affinity with this place. Saint Francis, who was born and lived here, had a great love for nature and he is also known as the Patron Saint of Animals. Intentions for the retreat Remember to pause and find moments of inner stillness. Practise presence. Take this opportunity in a retreat setting to be with yourself and to be with nature, where possible. Socializing with others can be wonderful, but remember to balance it with your own inner work. Outside of the scheduled session times, you may choose to spend time on your own in meditation, quiet walks or a period of time in silence, although this is not mandatory. How to get the most out of the retreat experience We wish for everyone to receive the greatest benefit that a retreat can provide. To do this, we suggest that you practise listening not only with your ears but with your entire body. Allow the quirks and the nuances of external life to subside, and simply practice acceptance of what is. Watch any judgments that arise in your mind. Participate in a movement and meditation session, to allow your body to become a portal to stillness. If your room is in a hotel, we suggest that you refrain from watching television. Warmly, Eckhart & Kim Page 2 of 12

3 Eckhart Tolle TV Retreat Assisi, Italy October 4-9, 2013 List of Hotels All retreat accommodations are within a 4 to 10- minute walk to the Cittadella Ospitalita. 1. CITTADELLA OSPITALITA (Citadel Hospitality)* Via degli Ancaiani, 3 Phone: *This is the main retreat space where all sessions will be held. 2. Hotel GIOTTO Via Fontebella, n.41 Phone: info@hotelgiottoassisi.it 3. Hotel FONTEBELLA Via Fontebella, 25 Phone: Hotel PRIORI (Hotel Dei Priori) Corso Mazzini, 15 Phone: info@hoteldeipriori.it 5. Hotel SORELLA LUNA Via Frate Elia ⅗ Phone: Hotel SAN PIETRO Piazza S. Pietro, 5 Phone: Hotel CASTLE (Hotel il Castello di Assisi) Via Marconi 1 Phone: Hotel POSTA Via San Paolo, 11/19 Phone: MONASTERY SAN GIUSEPPE (Monastero San Giuseppe) Via S. Apollinare 1 Phone: SISTERS ANGELINE (Case Di Accoglienza) Via Metastasio 18 Phone: MONASTERY SAN ANDREA (Monastero Sant Andrea) Via di Villa Troili, HOUSE OF TERTIARY (Casa Del Terziario) Piazza Vescovado, 5 Phone: OASIS SACRED HEART (Oasi Del Sacro Cuore ad Assisi) Vittorio Emanuele II Phone: Page 3 of 12

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5 Driving/Parking GROUND TRANSPORTATION For participants who are choosing to drive (whether daily commuting back and forth to retreat or being parked on site for the duration of the retreat), please be aware that parking in Assisi is limited at the best of times. Those staying at a hotel in Assisi may be able to get a parking pass from your hotel to be able to park inside the city. Alternatively there will be parking lots set up just outside the Assisi walls. You may drive into the city to drop off your luggage and then park in one of the designated lots. We will send you additional parking info with the exact location of these lots in a separate next week. With the city being shut down to ALL vehicular traffic on Oct 4 from 7am 7pm you will NOT be able to drive within the city limits and will need to figure out another way to make your way to the Cittadella to register. Alternatively, you may register on Saturday Oct 5 from 8 am 10 am if you prefer to avoid the city closures on Oct 4th. Group Bus Transportation We have an arrangement to provide ground transportation from Rome to Assisi. The cost for ground transport service will range between Euros depending on certain factors, as detailed below. This service includes a transfer to a taxi in Assisi that will drop you off directly at your hotel. Fares are due in cash, and must be paid to the driver upon boarding. Please have sufficient funds with you when you arrive. Given that we do not yet know the total number of passengers and due to the very sparse range of arrival times, it is not possible to provide you with a single fare, however we can give you an estimate of the cost so you will know what to expect. If we do not receive enough passengers for the bus, then the bus will be cancelled and you will be able to use the Maxi Taxi service all the way from Rome to Assisi. At present, prices are as follows: On October 3: Maxi- taxis (seats 8) from ROME to ASSISI 120 per person, for a minimum of 3 people 80 per person, for transfers of 4 or 5 people 60 per person, for transfers of 6 to 8 people On October 4: Buses plus Maxi- taxis (*) from ROME to ASSISI 50 per person from 30 to 40 people 40 per person up from 40 to 54 people Page 5 of 12

6 (*) Since we cannot get into Assisi until later in the day we have arranged to take you on a guided scenic tour through Rome and/or Perugia at no additional cost. If you haven t yet signed up for one of the buses and wish to do so please CustomerService@EckhartTolleTV.com or call + (604) The price for the bus transportation also includes being transferred to private Maxi Taxis just outside of Assisi which will take you directly to your hotel. PICKUP TIMES & LOCATIONS** October 3rd, 10:30AM, Fiumicino Airport (Rome) October 3rd, 11:30AM, Termini Train Station (Rome) October 3rd, 1:30PM, Fiumicino Airport (Rome) October 3rd, 2:30PM, Termini Train Station (Rome) October 4 th, 10:30AM, Fiumicino Airport (Rome) October 4 th, 11:30AM, Termini Train Station (Rome) October 4 th, 1:30PM, Fiumicino Airport (Rome) October 4 th, 2:30PM, Termini Train Station (Rome) **If none of these pickup times work for you, you can book your own Maxi Taxi service by ing info@maviturviaggi.com. Bus Pickup Information (for those taking our group transportation) Fiumicino (Rome) airport: Our representative will be waiting at the International Arrivals terminal to meet you. There is only one exit for Arrivals at Fiumicino airport, and it is after the luggage pickup (which is inside the secured area, not outside, like in most airports in the US). Our representative will be located where all the other cab drivers are waiting for their guests with signs. Termini train station: Our representative will be just at the exit of the main gallery of the train station, in Via Marsala, on the left side of the station on the way out from trains, where the bus area is. He/she will have an Eckhart Tolle TV / ETTV sign. We can t determine at this point exactly where the bus will be parked, but it will have an ETTV sign as well. In case you get lost trying to find the bus, we have two contact numbers you can call for assistance: ( ) and ( ). Trains from Rome The Assisi railway station is on the Terontola Foligno line. There are many trains, but only two of them are direct. All the trains depart from Rome Termini but you have to change in Foligno. To come by train from Rome Termini there are a dozen trains whose schedules can be found on the following website: The train station in Assisi is located 4 kilometers away from the city center. From there you can take a taxi to your hotel (which costs approximately 30 Euros). Alternatively, there is a public bus to the Page 6 of 12

7 city which costs 1 Euro but it does not take you to the hotel area. It will drop you off at the parking outside the village of Assisi, where you must continue on foot or via a local taxi. Please keep in mind that we are being told that on October 4 you may walk into Assisi however you will not be able to take a Maxi Taxi from the Assisi train station until the roads re- open that evening. People that are arriving at Sant'Egidio can take a taxi for around a maximum 40 (again traffic permitting). The radiotaxi number is , although on the 4th there might be a severe shortage. Return Transport We will also have ground transportation options for the return trip at the end of the retreat, which we can arrange with you on- site. At the end of the retreat, please connect with a staff member to let them know that you need assistance, and we ll be happy to help you then. Retreat Registration Registration at the Cittadella will be held over two days for your convenience: Friday October 4 th : Saturday October 5 th : 5:00 pm 11:00 pm 7:30 am 10:00 am * For those arriving on Oct 4 you will need to register first and receive your name badge in order to have dinner at the Cittadella. Breakfast at all the Hotels Meal Information All breakfasts will be provided from 7:30am to 9:00am at all hotel locations. You will not need your meal tickets during breakfast at your hotel however it is your responsibility to communicate any allergies or meal preferences to them directly. Lunches and Dinners All Lunches and Dinners will be seated and served onsite in the San Pietro Dining Hall, on the Lower Level of the Cittadella. It is located across from the Teatro, the Primary meeting space on the same level as the San Giovanni Room, our yoga and movement space. The communal lunches and dinners throughout the Eckhart Tolle TV Retreat provide opportunities to connect with one another and create community. Please be seated promptly at the specified Lunch and Dinner times indicated on the Retreat Schedule starting with Dinner on Friday evening and ending with Lunch on Wednesday. If you have requested a special meal (Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, etc.) you will be given a color- coded ticket when registering on- site indicating your preference. Please present Page 7 of 12

8 this ticket to you server at all communal meals in the San Pietro Dining Room. The server may take the ticket to the kitchen and will return it to you, along with you meal. Three dining tables will be reserved in the Dining Hall for retreatants choosing to dine in Silence. Refreshment Breaks In addition to the communal lunches and dinners there will be refreshments served during the following break times: Saturday October 4 th Saturday October 5 th 3:45pm to 4:45pm 9:45pm after the movie screening Retreat Etiquette What things do I need to know on retreat? We suggest that you wear comfortable clothing; with layers to adjust to the temperature in the Teatro. Sometimes a light shawl or blanket is useful, and preferably clothing that doesn t rustle. Bring outerwear for walking periods outdoors. Average low & high temperatures in Assisi: 11C/52F 24C/75F. Prepare for sun and possible showers. We ask that you use unscented personal products (soap, shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, sunscreen, etc.) and please no perfumes, colognes or aftershaves out of consideration for those with allergies. What don t I need? You can leave portable audio devices, cell phones, PDAs, Blackberry, etcetera in your room. By leaving your electronic devices out of the sessions, you ll support your inner journey by minimizing the usual outward distractions. You ll also help Eckhart Tolle TV record the sessions without audio interference caused by electronic devices signals. Anything else I should know about retreats? It is helpful to know retreat etiquette: Keep in Silence upon entering the Teatro (the main meeting space). Be on time: out of respect for your fellow retreatants and yourself, be settled in your place before the session starts and stay until after the session has ended. Welcoming Eckhart at the beginning of each session in Silence is requested. No applause. Please take all of your belongings with you after each session allowing all retreatants the opportunity to sit near the front if they wish to do so. Seating is first come first served. Pictures and audio/video recording of the sessions are strictly prohibited. Page 8 of 12

9 Eckhart Tolle TV Retreat Assisi, Italy October 4-9, 2013 Program Schedule All retreat sessions take place at the Cittadella Ospitalita, Via degli Ancajani 3 Assisi. Friday October 4 th 5:00 pm 11:00 pm Retreat Registration in Cittadella Reception Area 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Dinner, Seated & Served in San Pietro Dining Room for the 100 Retreatants that have arrived by October 3 rd 8:30 pm 10:30 pm Dinner in San Pietro Dining Room for those arriving on the evening of October 4 th 7:00 pm onwards Hotel Check- in. Saturday October 5 th ETTV Retreat Day #1 7:30 am 9:00 am Breakfast at all Hotels 7:30 am 10:00 am Retreat Registration in Cittadella Reception Area 10:15 am Talk #1 with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro 12:30 pm Prompt Seated & Served Communal Lunch in San Pietro Dining Room Page 9 of 12

10 2:00 pm Talk #2 with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro Followed by a short break 4:30 pm 6:00 pm Meditation with Kim Eng - in Teatro 6:30 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Dinner in San Pietro Dining Room 8:30 pm Meet & Greet in San Pietro Dining Hall (With light refreshments) Sunday October 6 th ETTV Retreat Day #2 7:30 am 9:00 am Breakfast at all Hotels 10:00 am Talk #3 with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro 12:15pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Lunch in San Pietro Dining Room 2:00 pm Talk #4 with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro Followed by Free Time 6:00 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Dinner in San Pietro Dining Room 8:00 pm Movie Screening in Teatro Brother Sun, Sister Moon A 1972 film directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starring Graham Faulkner & Judi Bowker. The film is a biopic of Saint Francis of Assisi. (Length: 2 hours) 10:00 pm Refreshments served in San Giovanni Hall Terrace & Lunch Room Terrace Page 10 of 12

11 Monday October 7 th ETTV Retreat Day #3 7:30 am 9:00 am Breakfast at all Hotels 10:30 am 11:30 am Group #1 Presence Through Movement with Kim Eng - in San Giovanni Please arrive between 10:00am and 10:25am so session can start promptly at 10:30am 12:30 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Lunch in San Pietro Dining Room 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Group #2 Presence Through Movement with Kim Eng - in San Giovanni Please arrive between 2:30pm and 2:55pm so session can start promptly at 3:00pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm Free Time 6:00 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Dinner in San Pietro Dining Room 8:00 pm Evening Meditation with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro Tuesday October 8 th ETTV Retreat Day #4 7:30 am 9:00 am Breakfast at all Hotels 10:00 am 11:00 am Group #3 Presence Through Movement with Kim Eng in San Giovanni Please arrive between 9:30am and 9:55am so session can start promptly at 10:00am 11:15 am 12:15 pm Group #4 Presence Through Movement with Kim Eng in San Giovanni Please arrive between 10:45am and 11:10am so session can start promptly at 11:15am Page 11 of 12

12 12:30 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Lunch in San Pietro Dining Room 2:00 pm Question and Answer Session with Kim Eng - in Teatro 3:30 pm 4pm Break 4:00 pm Talk #5 with Eckhart Tolle in Teatro 6:15 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Dinner in San Pietro Dining Room 8:00 pm Talk #6 with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro Wednesday October 9th ETTV Retreat Day #5 7:30 am 9:00 am Breakfast at all Hotels 9:00 am 10:00 am Free Time 10:00 am Talk #6 with Eckhart Tolle - in Teatro 12:30 pm Prompt Seated and Served Communal Lunch in San Pietro Dining Room Afternoon Departures. Page 12 of 12