Many people arrive at a retreat setting with an underlying struggle that they may hope to address. Western Psychology has many diagnostic terms, explanations, and treatment strategies for these struggles. Psycholog has also increasingly incorporated Buddhist methods, primarily “mindfulness”, into its treatment strategies. This, however, introduces a contradiction in how the “self” is understood. Western Psychology conceives of the self as a “thing” that can be treated. Whereas Buddhism views attachment to the idea of this self as a cause of our suffering. In a move away from traditional psychology and through a critical comparison of Existential philosophy and Buddhist practices, this retreat wil explore the sense of self as the “struggle”. We will explore the therapeutic value of sitting, walking and talking, with an attitude of “being with what is”, as a means of addressing this struggle. The retreat is intended as a therapeutic experience and will involve philosophical discussion, sitting and walking practices, basic yoga (no experience required), written reflection, and therapeutic group discussion.

At the heart of Italian culture is food. Food represents life: from the bounty that nature provides into the hands of the skillful cook to create a masterpiece, a skill that is passed down from generation to generation. The respect for and appreciation for the natural source of ingredients in Italian cooking allows for the simplicity in the preparation and the unique taste of each dish prepared. Mother and son duo, Rosetta and Mario, have been passionate about Italian cooking their entire lives; a passion instilled in them from spending valuable time with Nonna Maria in her kitchen from young. In this retreat, we will showcase the simplicity and unique taste of some of Nonna Maria’s vegetarian Italian cooking: from slow-cooked Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato sauce), fresh egg-pasta and the rich flavours of the Melanzane Parmigiana (Eggplant parmesan) of South Italy, to the more cream and butter-based sweets of North Italy, such as Tiramisù and Biscotti di Limone e Mandorle (almond and lemon biscotti).

At the heart of Italian culture is food. Food represents life: from the bounty that nature provides into the hands of the skillful cook to create a masterpiece, a skill that is passed down from generation to generation. The respect for and appreciation for the natural source of ingredients in Italian cooking allows for the simplicity in the preparation and the unique taste of each dish prepared. Mother and son duo, Rosetta and Mario, have been passionate about Italian cooking their entire lives; a passion instilled in them from spending valuable time with Nonna Maria in her kitchen from young. In this retreat, we will showcase the simplicity and unique taste of some of Nonna Maria’s vegetarian Italian cooking: from slow-cooked Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato sauce), fresh egg-pasta and the rich flavours of the Melanzane Parmigiana (Eggplant parmesan) of South Italy, to the more cream and butter-based sweets of North Italy, such as Tiramisù and Biscotti di Limone e Mandorle (almond and lemon biscotti).

At the heart of Italian culture is food. Food represents life: from the bounty that nature provides into the hands of the skillful cook to create a masterpiece, a skill that is passed down from generation to generation. The respect for and appreciation for the natural source of ingredients in Italian cooking allows for the simplicity in the preparation and the unique taste of each dish prepared. Mother and son duo, Rosetta and Mario, have been passionate about Italian cooking their entire lives; a passion instilled in them from spending valuable time with Nonna Maria in her kitchen from young. In this retreat, we will showcase the simplicity and unique taste of some of Nonna Maria’s vegetarian Italian cooking: from slow-cooked Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato sauce), fresh egg-pasta and the rich flavours of the Melanzane Parmigiana (Eggplant parmesan) of South Italy, to the more cream and butter-based sweets of North Italy, such as Tiramisù and Biscotti di Limone e Mandorle (almond and lemon biscotti).