Beyond Yourself –
Into Stillness of Being
June 23–29, 2025
Assisi, Italy
Surrender to Silence, Touch the Essence
An Inner Journey with Damiano Nöthen
You step out of your daily life, drop deep into the realm of silence, surrounded by vivid nature in midst of the Umbrian landscape. Heart and mind coming at rest, consciousness expands, pierces the habitual structures of the personality. Glimpses of being beyond the known touch the heart, letting go of holding, opening for what you are.
Damiano’s intention is to create the opportunity to deepen the inner awakening of consciousness beyond what you think you are or you should be. Its an invitation to a wonderful radical journey beyond yourself.
Located on a medieval „Castello“ nestled in the Nature Park of the Monte Subasio, just twenty minutes from Assisi, the town of Saint Francis. Francis, the shining saint of the 13th century, inspired Damiano in the early 80th with his simple way of living and his profound love to Jesus. Since 800 years his spirit draws people from all of the world regardless of religious beliefs to Assisi.
The ACCOMMODATION
“Il Piccolo Castello”
A touch of the Middle Ages
The walls of our Retreat-Center „Piccolo Castello“ date back to the 14th century. It breathes the charm of old times and its originality invites you to enjoy the simplicity of life. It is part of the ancient village „Nottiano“ whose houses were almost all destroyed in an earthquake in 1997. The Castello is located in quietness and solitude surrounded by meadows and forests not far from the pilgrimage town of Assisi.
The bedrooms are simple and rustic furnished. The two bathrooms inside the house and the bathhouse outside are shared. A large kitchen offers plenty of space. The sessions take place in a 36 m2 room with a wooden floor, equipped with cushions, pads and blankets.
Your next step towards the retreat
See below for what’s included in your retreat experience
We are happy to offer accommodation in the Piccolo Castello and three vegan meals a day for those who choose to participate in the retreat.
The bedrooms are equipped with two, and three beds. Please note that there are limited places in the two-bed rooms. The rooms are equipped with wardrobes, bedside tables, chairs, and tables. The simplicity of the furnishings subtly highlight the medieval charm of the place.
In addition to the spacious dining room with integrated kitchen, there is a bright room with a wooden floor for meditation and another room with antique tiles available outside the group sessions.
In any room type, what is included
– 6 nights, 6 days accommodation
– 3 daily buffet-style vegan meals
– daily meditation, individual counseling, evening sharing
– An afternoon tour to the Hermitage from Franzis of Assisi with inspirational story telling and silent time in nature
What is not included
– travel expenses
– transfer from Assisi Station or Airport to the retreat center
(we can organize a taxi, please contact us)
important note: We don’t give access to wifi, access to Internet and telephony is only possible via mobile network. To get a reasonably good reception, you have to move away from the house. There is hardly any network in the house.
Why Choose Us
Life unfolds itself when you are ready to take one step aside.
Are you ready?
The silent retreat provides the opportunity to expand your awareness to who you are in this very moment.
Human consciousness appears on the world stage in the form of individual personality. But the person, which you are identified with, is not who you are. It is a grown collection of everything you experienced, learned and what you have taken over from the individual and collective way of living. Your beliefs, decisions, longings, your story, your pain and gain lie like a veil over the being that emerges beyond the limiting appearance.
Becoming still, letting the words fall silent, slowing down, contemplating and listening, can open an inner space in which being unfolds. It is the being beyond the mechanisms of your personality, beyond emotional habits, beyond the stereotypes of your self images, beyond words, beyond control.
Knowing of who you are is not under your willpower, you can’t do it the way you are used to control things, you can only make it happen by surrendering yourself.
The 6 day retreat offers a prepared structure to spent life in stillness:
The retreat starts in the first evening with an opening circle and the introduction for the following days. After closing we end talking. Words are only used for practical purpose, teachings and during the individual or joint sessions.
Daily Program
7:00 a.m. Meditation.
We sit together in silence (2 times 30 minutes, in between walking meditation). At the first morning Damiano gives a introduction in the practice of silent sitting.
8:15 a.m. breakfast
9 a.m. Meditation.
We sit together in silence (2 times 30 minutes, in between walking meditation).
10:30 a.m. – 12:15 a.m. Individual sharing
Opportunity for a personal conversation with Damiano
12:30 a.m. lunch
In the afternoon people are free to follow their own practice, e.g. time for yoga, walking, meditation in nature, exercises, writing.
5:00 p.m. Meditation (2 x 30 minutes)
6:00 p.m. Sharing and teachings with Damiano
7:00 dinner
These days there are no goals to achieve or results that you might want to achieve. Meditation simply means becoming still in the present moment. Whether you are sitting, walking, eating or just enjoying nature and gazing into the distance there is nothing else to do. Take this days off from running around, completing tasks, maintaining contacts and answering messages. Enjoy being alive, relax, be still and listen to your inner voice.
Damiano does not teach a method or spiritual path to enlightenment. He supports people in following their own individual path which everyone must discover and experience for themselves. He recommends some guidelines for the path of self-inquiry that can be integrated into everyday life at home and that participants can experiment with during the retreat:
He recommends some guidelines for the path of self-exploration that can be wonderfully integrated into everyday life at home and that participants can experiment with during the retreat:
1. being honest with yourself and others;
2. to observe their own feelings, body sensations and thoughts and not take them too seriously;
3. to be open to the wonderful new that lies beyond the familiar and the comfortable.
4. to invite new experiences.
5. to trust that life is always there for us.
6. to consider it possible that the veil will open and being touched with what you already know
Damiano Nöthen
studied theology in the early 80s in Germany. During his studies he became interested in Christian mysticism, Zen Buddhism and shamanic paths. Since then he has been practicing meditation in different forms. At the end of the 80s he discovered Gestalt therapy and has been accompanying people as a Gestalt therapist for 30 years. He explored the world of spiritual and psychotherapeutic schools. In 2000 he met Paul Lowe, who gave him a new perspective in looking at the world and understanding spiritual awakening. He learned about the deep ecology movement from Joanna Macy and led various conferences with her in Assisi, Italy. In 2011 he founded the Gestalt Forum Freiburg, Germany, and has been leading three-year training groups since then. Through wonderful coincidences, he and his family found a new home in Italy. He now lives on a small mountain farm near Assisi, the town where as a young man he met Saint Franzis, who became an important source of inspiration for him. Here is the “Piccolo Castello”, the medieval building where almost all of his seminars now take place. Damiano sees himself as a wanderer through time, with a deep desire to let the truth that has been placed in every person’s heart shine through.
Embark on Your Journey Today
Explore our retreats and invite transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Meditation practice is not required. However, participants should be able to sit on a cushion or chair for two to three times 25 minutes. The retreat is open to both beginners and those experienced in meditation or mindfulness practices.
The retreat will be held in English to accommodate an international audience.
Yes, Damiano as a psychotherapist and experienced facilitator will be available for one-on-one check-ins if needed, and there will be guidance offered during group meditation sessions.
There will be an initial orientation, evening sharing with Damiano in the group and optional individual sessions, but the majority of the retreat will be conducted in silence.
Detailed directions and travel options will be provided upon registration. Assisi is easily accessible from Rome, Florence, and other major cities in Italy. You can travel with car, train or plane. The nearest international airports are in Perugia, Rome (Fiumicino) and Florence. From there, you can take a train or bus to Assisi, or arrange for private transportation.
Participants from the EU only need a valid ID. Non-EU citizens typically need a passport and possibly a visa, depending on the length of stay and country of origin.
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter Italy. Please check with your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements.
Comfortable clothing, a journal, any personal toiletries, if you want, you can bring your personal meditation cushion or mat (if preferred). We recommend insect repellent, sun cream, shoes for walking in nature
Assisi generally has a mild climate, but it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast before your trip. Spring and autumn can be cool in the mornings and evenings, so packing layers is recommended.
Absolutely! Assisi and the surrounding areas have much to offer, and many participants choose to explore Italy before or after the retreat.
While we encourage participants to stay for the entire duration of the retreat, we understand that emergencies can arise.
We recommend arriving in Assisi by early afternoon. Shuttle services to the retreat center will be scheduled around these times, and check-in at the retreat center begins at 3:00 PM.
Yes, there is free parking available at the retreat center for participants who choose to drive.
Yes, there are several accommodation options in Assisi if you wish to extend your stay. We can provide recommendations for nearby hotels or guesthouses. And you can stay at the „Piccolo Castello“.
No, Wi-Fi is not available. Access to Internet and telephony is only possible via mobile network. To get a reasonably good reception, you have to move away from the house. There is hardly any network in the house.
The retreat center is located near Assisi, which has medical facilities if needed. We advise participants to bring any personal medications and to inform us of any medical conditions prior to arrival.
What Guests Say
Voices of Our Participants
Damiano, I thank you for listening with total openness, for your empathy, for the effort you make to leave a positive imprint on those who came in contact with you, for being perceptive, for your confident, relaxed and respectful way, for your beautiful teachings of San Franzis.
Natacha Morales
The encounter with Damiano, which originally began as part of the Gestalt therapy training, has increasingly unfolded into a deep spiritual journey for me. Damiano’s deep authenticity, his way of dancing with life and his ability to lead us into the trust that something greater is holding and guiding us have deeply inspired me and without question profoundly changed my life. I wish many other people could have a similar experience with Damiano.
Sebastian Nitzschke
Working with Damiano is always very special for me. He leads the group with calm and transparency, without ever faltering. Damiano is able to draw on his life experience and use it in his work with people without losing sight of the moment and the nature of the characters around him. I look forward to his honest and warm manner before each seminar.
Ella Brillo
Continue your journey in Assisi
Take the next step toward inner peace and contact with the being beyond