MANDALI
Touchdown Milano on a busy Friday afternoon. One and a half hour drive up North is where we’re headed. Mandali. Pitch black, with only a pearl cord of shimmering lights separating Lago d’Orta from the mountains, the winding road up hill is like going back in time with every turn. Cut off from modern society, the old monastery is resemblant of a tiny medieval town. With the gate closing behind me, it’s time to roll up the sleeves for a weekend of depth and silence.
Leaving earthly matter behind and take a deep dive into stillness, starts with opening up. Expressing whatever needs expression through dancing and art, awakening creativity from the hart. Finding the freedom within, letting it all out. Blocked energie gets a change to release and tears start flowing freely, just waited for that little encouragement to show themselves.
The rhythmic repetition of cracking leaves beneath our feet echoing through the Italian Alps, are the only sounds during our meditation walk in silence.
It made the meaning of time evaporate into the voids of emptiness. There, in the depth of nothingness, clarity makes it’s appearance, and true consciousness is found.
Like a freshly fluffed pillow, decorated with an inner smile, it’s time to go home and hug my loved ones. With a sense of wholeness and direction, it’s crystal clear what needs expanding and what it is time to let go of.
Notes on “Transitions – Solstice, Solitude and Silence” by teachers Nishta Matarese and Evangelos Diavolitsis held at Mandali, December 2023.
PHOTO AND TEXT BY AFRA RE
