You will discover your creative side: Through contemplative art-making, you’ll learn to express yourself in new ways and see your life as part of a larger human tapestry.
You will embrace mindful awareness: The daily meditation will give you a new perspective on your life and help you cultivate a sense of mindfulness that you can take back into your daily routine. With the guidance of experienced teachers, you’ll learn to use meditation as a tool for personal growth and transformation.
You will find peace in nature: The Masseria San Giovanni Sgadari in Sicily has a breathtaking history and culture. You’ll be surrounded by natural beauty, including a centuries-old labyrinth garden, an oak forest, and a small river. The wholesome vegetarian meals from the farm’s certified organic produce will nourish your body and soul.
overview
Rediscover yourself in an extraordinary setting where centuries of tradition meet the profound wisdom of ancient practices. Welcome to The Art of Being Retreat, an immersive journey into the Five Wisdom Energies, led by our Remarkable Transformer, Michael Anderson, internationally acclaimed teacher Irini Rockwell, and celebrated Sicilian photographer Gianni Cusumano.
Rooted in the rich heritage of Buddhist teachings and brought to life through the lens of modern contemplative arts, this retreat offers a unique exploration of the Five Wisdom Energies. Originating with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and refined by his devoted student Irini Rockwell, these energies form a dynamic framework for understanding and working with the flow of life. Whether through photography, movement, sound, or mindful meditation, you’ll uncover your unique mix of energies and learn to use them as a wellspring for personal growth and artistic expression.
Held amidst the enchanting landscapes of San Giovanni Sgadari, a historic Masseria in the Madonie Mountains, this retreat is as much a sensory delight as it is a transformative experience. Picture yourself walking through a labyrinth garden centuries in the making or meditating beneath the shade of ancient oaks. This estate, lovingly cared for by Maria Antonietta Sgadari and her family for over 300 years, invites you to become part of its storied legacy.
Over the course of this retreat, the Five Wisdom Energies will be your guide to embracing your strengths and deepening your self-awareness. From mindful awareness meditation to a special photography workshop with Gianni Cusumano, every activity is thoughtfully designed to inspire and challenge you. No prior experience in art or meditation is necessary; here, the process holds more value than the product. Leave with tools, insights, and practices to enrich your daily life long after you return home.
Your time at San Giovanni Sgadari will be complemented by wholesome vegetarian meals, prepared with organic produce from the estate’s own gardens. Unwind in stone cottages or by the swimming pool, soak in panoramic views of the valley, and connect with like-minded souls in spacious communal areas for dining, yoga, and reflection.
Ready to embark on this transformational journey? Step into a world of inspiration and connection in the heart of Sicily.
What's Included
Seven nights in cosy and comfortable accommodation
Coffee, tea, and continental breakfast each morning
Wholesome vegetarian lunch and dinner each day
Non-alcoholic beverages (juice, tea, coffee) & snacks every day
Use of meditation cushions and mats
Basic art materials, including dry and wet media, paper, and brushes (please bring any specific materials you wish to work with, as well as a journal or sketchbook)
GOOD TO KNOW
Airfare not included
Travel insurance is not included
Airport shuttle from/to Catania (CTA) airport may be booked for an additional fee of €60 each way. The shuttle is offered on arrival day (3pm from CTA)) & departure day (10am from the Masseria). Travel time is approximately two hours.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Landing
Welcome to San Giovanni Sgadari! Settle in at 5pm for a brief introduction to our meditation practice, and an overview of the week ahead as you get to know your co-participants over a welcome dinner.
Day 2
Settling
An introduction to mindful-awareness will lead us into a day of meditation practice, letting the energy of the outside world settle into the spacious calm of white Buddha energy. We will be introduced to contemplative art-making through a brief afternoon Art Experience.
Day 3
Blue Energy of Clarity
Blue Vajra energy seeks panoramic awareness and precision of detail. Its element is water. Its sense perception is vision. We will explore this energy through posture practice, discussion, and creative expression. Our afternoon session will include an Art Experience working with blue energy in the landscape.
Day 4
Yellow Energy of Clarity
Yellow Ratna energy appreciates the richness and abundance of life. Its sense perceptions are taste, touch, and smell. Its element is earth. Our morning practice and discussion session with this energy will lead to an afternoon Art Experience bringing its sensory richness into our creative work.
Day 5
Red Energy of Connection
Red Padma energy seeks to magnetize with the warmth of heartfelt connection. Its sense perception is hearing. Its element is fire. Our morning practice and discussion of red energy will shift into an afternoon Art Experience rooted in our human connections.
Day 6
Green Energy of Accomplishment
Green Karma energy seeks skillful, efficient action. Its sense perception is the functional touch of physical activity. Its element is the movement of the wind. Posture practice and discussion of green energy in the morning will prepare us for an Art Experience that is all about action.
Day 7
Presence & Lights
The elegant Madonie mountain town of Castelbuono will be the setting for an exploration of contemplative photography at the workshop of Gianni Cusumano. We will return at sundown for a festive dinner at the Masseria.
Day 8
Departure
Enjoy a full breakfast before departing at 10am.
reviews
Maria
I was able to reconnect with my inner self through nature and art, play like a child again and feel my heart rewarded. Michael holds the group in a safe container of trust and love. I recommend this retreat if you want to reconnect with yourself and value what is important for you. You will have a mindfulness and silent experience in a magical location. Learning new art techniques with Anne was beyond my expectations.
Patricia
Michael is a committed person, dedicated to taking care of all the details of the process and ensuring that each and every one of his participants is accompanied through their experience. The place is truly a gift in itself where the architecture, the landscape and the people who work at the Masseria make the experience unforgettable. Everything converges to achieve that peace and disconnection necessary for an inward journey on retreat.
Stauna
Outstanding! I will carry the learning from this event with me for a long time. The location and the food were an integral part of the joy of the week, and Michael and Anne created a series of experiences that brought the artist in me alive, and I believe we are all artists who can make marks and curiously explore a variety of materials. The people who chose to come to this week in Sicily created a warm and exciting energy where we all shared and grew and learned together. Michael’s invitations to explore and be curious allowed us to engage independently or in partners as well as a group. The learning this week was deep and meaningful. I have started to develop a better way of being in our world at a time when I needed this change of perspective.
