“The most mysterious, rewarding journey any of us will ever take: the journey to our True Self.”

About the Enlightenment Intensive

This group retreat is designed to support a spiritual enlightenment experience, or satori, within a relatively short time. It stands apart from any religion or organisation, yet draws on highly effective tools from Zen, mindfulness, and modern communication techniques. The structure was developed by Charles Berner, who created the process while researching more effective ways to accelerate spiritual development and personal growth.

“I have tested this technique and compared it to other methods of enlightenment. This technique is about 50-100 times more rapid in producing enlightenment experiences than the classical techniques.” Charles Berner

How it works

The intention of the process is to loosen the thinking and emotional patterns that hide your true Self, allowing your authentic nature to emerge and flourish. Meeting your Essential Self directly can open the door to deep inner peace, joyful aliveness, and a natural flow of energy.

The process

Throughout the intensive, you are held in a secure, distraction-free environment with social silence. The heart of the retreat is a series of self-enquiry sessions called Dyads: a profound Zen contemplation on the question, “Who am I?” The program also includes guided meditations, conscious movement, working and walking contemplation, and holistic detox. After three days of intensive practice, there is time to integrate and enjoy the afterglow through relaxation, movement sessions, or simply resting in the surrounding nature. All practical matters are handled by the facilitators, so you can fully devote yourself to inner enquiry.

What is a Dyad?

Dyads are paired enquiry sessions that support physical, mental, and spiritual detox. One person listens in stillness while the other speaks from direct experience in response to “Who am I?” After five minutes, the roles switch. This continues for 30 or 40 minutes, followed by a break, and then you begin the next Dyad with a new partner. Over time, this practice clears away everyday mental chatter and creates space for your authentic Self to be revealed. As the mind relaxes, you move deeper into direct experience, until a moment of stillness may arise. In Zen, this is known as satori—a glimpse of enlightenment.

“Who am I? What is my true nature?” These essential questions lie at the core of the Enlightenment Intensive. The process supports a state of being fully present and free from the constant stream of thoughts, helping you reconnect with your Essential Self beyond social conditioning, restraints, and masks. From this place, deeper satisfaction, inner peace, joyful aliveness, and a clearer sense of purpose can unfold.

Programme

Please read the following carefully to understand the commitment involved in this powerful process.

Food

There are five meal breaks each day. Meals are vegetarian and specially prepared to support a natural detox of the physical body. Coffee, black tea, sugar, alcohol, meat, and fish are not included. If you normally drink a lot of coffee, it is strongly recommended that you stop two or three days before the Intensive begins to avoid caffeine withdrawal headaches during the retreat.

Smoking

It is recommended to stop smoking during the process. If you do smoke, reducing to three cigarettes a day may help you manage a few days without tobacco. If that feels difficult, a balance can be found that feels comfortable for you.

Mobile phones

You will be asked to hand in your mobile phone for the three days of the Intensive. In case of emergency, please leave the Mandali office contact number, available from 09:00 to 19:00, so messages can be passed on. Outside these hours, a separate emergency number is available.

During the process, there will be no contact with the outside world unless it is an emergency, so please make sure your affairs are in order before the retreat begins.

Schedule

On arrival day, you will have time to rest and settle in. You will also be invited to a short one-to-one meeting with one of the counsellors. After dinner, there will be a welcome session to explain the technique. Each day of the process begins at 06:15 and ends at 22:30, except the fourth day, which finishes at 21:15 when silence ends and you are released from the structure.

The remaining days are open integration days, giving you space to follow your own rhythm and enjoy the afterglow of the Intensive. A selection of events and sessions will also be available if you choose to join.

Silence

The three-day Intensive is held in social silence. You will speak during the Dyads and open sessions, but remain silent outside the group space. Silence also means no Internet, phones, TV, radio, or other distractions that pull you away from contemplation.

Open heart and mind

This process is intense and carefully designed to work deeply, creating lasting change. It can be challenging, yet the rewards may be reflected in a greater understanding of yourself and the world around you. Come with openness and a clear intention about what you want to reveal within yourself. Energy follows intention.

Health & safety

If you are currently in mental health therapy, using medication, have had substance addiction within the last six months, or are in any kind of recovery process, please contact the retreat provider before booking so you can determine whether this retreat is suitable for you. This precaution helps ensure your safety, the wellbeing of the group, and the quality of the retreat experience. If this guidance is not followed, the provider reserves the right to remove a participant from the retreat process.

This retreat is a profound individual journey of self-discovery. If you wish to attend with relatives, partners, or friends, it is strongly recommended to book different dates or at least not share a room. You may also contact the provider before booking to arrange a setup that will not interfere with your EI process.

At a glance

Included

5 nights accommodation in Shared, Single, Double, or Premium Rooms
All workshops and sessions as listed in the programme
Full board with vegetarian meals
Fruits, teas, and filtered water
Free use of Body Care Center facilities: sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and indoor heated swimming pool on the integration day, otherwise according to the retreat schedule

Not included

Flights to and from Malpensa International Airport
Transfers to and from Mandali Retreat Centre

Teacher

Peter Harper

Agenda

Arrival day

Guests may arrive from 14:00 on 18 October. One-to-one meetings begin at 16:00. Dinner is served at 19:00, followed by an introduction session at 20:30.

Day 2 & 3

06:15 – 06:30 Arise and Dress
06:30 – 07:00 Instructions / Dyad
07:00 – 07:30 Movement
07:30 – 07:45 Tea and Snack
07:45 – 08:30 Dyad
08:30 – 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 09:45 Dyad
09:45 – 10:30 Dyad
10:30 – 11:30 Walking/Spa Contemplation
11:30 – 12:15 Dyad
12:15 – 13:00 Working contemplation
13:00 – 13:45 Lunch
13:45 – 14:30 Dyad
14:30 – 15:15 Sharing and talk
15:15 – 16:00 Open session
16:00 – 16:45 Dyad
16:45 – 17:00 Tea and snack
17:00 – 18:15 Rest and Shower
18:15 – 19:00 Dyad
19:00 – 19:45 Dinner
19:45 – 20:15 Dyad
20:15 – 20:45 Dyad
20:45 – 21:30 Walking/Spa Contemplation
21:30 – 21:45 Tea and Snack
21:45 – 22:30 Dyad / Contemplation
22:30 – 06:15 Sleeping Contemplation

Day 4

Same schedule as Day 2 & 3, except:
19:45 – 20:30 Dyad
20:30 – 21:15 Closing Session
21:15 Celebration

Day 5

Integration day: relaxation, optional conscious movement and bodywork sessions, sharing, hiking, spa, and pool time.

Day 6

Morning meditation, closing circle, lunch, and departure.

Centre features

Peaceful
Practice Rooms
Experienced & Established Teachers
3 Delicious Vegetarian Meals a Day
Tea & Fruits throughout the day
Welcoming & cosy Rooms
Yoga & Meditation
Props
Scenic
Hiking Trails
contemplative outdoor nooks
Body Care Centre
Massages (at an extra cost)
magical permaculture gardens

Buddhist retreat in Italy