The freedom of meditation, the profound sense of spirituality, the practice of yoga unity. Three films to discover our most authentic self, three films to go in search of the self, to reflect on our interiority in the face of changes in the surrounding world. It’s the review ‘The cinema of the soul’scheduled from Sunday 22 July to Sunday 5 August at the Roman Theater of Fiesole, organized as part of the 71st Fiesole summer from the Stensen Foundation.
Admission for each film: 3 euros. It starts on Sunday 22 July at 21.15 with ‘Walk with me – the power of Mindfulness’ from Marc Francis and Max Pugh (94 mins). The film is a fascinating journey into the microcosm of the monastic community of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, which teaches the ancient art of Buddhist meditation. The film recounts for the first time from inside the daily life of a 21st century Zen monastery where Westerners from the most diverse backgrounds have decided to start living again by setting their lives on new values.
The film was shot in Plum Village, near Bordeaux, the first monastic community founded since Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) in the West with the aim of creating an environment where people can learn the art of living in harmony with each other and with the planet. It continues on Sunday 29 July at 21.15 with ‘Six ways to Santiago’ from Lydia B. Smith (84 mins). The film tells the story of six people who walk the “Camino de Santiago”, equipped only with a backpack, a pair of boots and, above all, a free and open mind.
The feat of these six “characters” is followed for most of the journey, highlighting for each their own reasons, motivations and expectations. The review ends on Sunday 5 August at 21.15 with ‘The Path of Happiness (Awake: the life of Yogananda)’ from Paola di Florio and Lisa Leeman (87 mins). It is the story of the life and teachings of Paramhansa Yoganandaauthor of the famous “Autobiography of a Yogi”, a classic of spiritual literature that has sold millions of copies all over the world and which still today constitutes an essential reference for spiritual seekers, philosophers and yoga enthusiasts. Before the film, the meditation group Self Realization fellowship will organize a moment of guided collective meditation at sunset, right inside the Roman theatre.
Undoubtedly a very particular way to recover spiritual strength and to experience an absolutely special short break. In Prato, at the Monastery of San Leonardo (Villa del Palco) from the late afternoon of Sunday 22 July to Wednesday 25 July the community of Rebuilders offers a special experience of spirituality and prayer according to the tradition of the Indian Camaldolese monks. The rhythm of the day will be marked by the times of prayer of the monks who, since the late 1930s, have developed the original encounter between ancient Indian wisdom and Christian tradition.
The retreat will be led by Brother John Martin SahajanandaCamaldolese of the Indian monastery of the Holy Trinity (Saccidananda ashram), expert and lover of dialogue between religions. The retreat will begin on Sunday 22 July at 18.30 and will conclude with dinner on Wednesday 25 July. It is possible to participate in individual days. The same lifestyle of the Indian monastery will be followed: from the times of prayer, to the diet and yoga practices. For registration: info@sanleonardoprato.it, tel.0574-37299, sanleonardoprato.it.