The Human Heart – The Courage to Feel

The Human Heart – The Courage to Feel is a five-night spiritual retreat at Mandali Retreat Center in Quarna Sopra, in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province of Italy. It is led by Emilio Mercuriali, a senior teacher of the Diamond Logos, and is held in English. The retreat suits people who want to live from the heart rather than only think about it, and it draws on the Diamond Logos teachings and the Sufi understanding of the Green Latifa, the door to the heart.

What to Expect

The retreat starts from a simple observation: when the heart is hurt often enough, we retreat into the mind. From there we still function and can even seem kind, but the world flattens and kindness becomes an effort. These days are about returning to the heart, working with what the Diamond Logos tradition calls the Green Essence.

Themes include the difference between trying to be good and the gentleness that arises on its own, kindness toward oneself, the heart as a way of knowing, and how to stay soft and present while being touched. The Diamond Logos map holds that we are essentially whole beings who have learned to live at a distance from ourselves, and that qualities such as presence, joy, clarity, strength and love are uncovered rather than built.

The approach is experiential, not theoretical. Daily guided inquiry, movement and stillness make up the work.

A typical full day runs like this:

- 07:30–08:30 Movement
- 08:30–09:30 Breakfast
- 10:00–11:15 Teaching
- 11:45–13:00 Self-inquiry and Q&A
- 13:00–14:00 Lunch
- 14:00–16:00 Free time
- 16:00–17:00 Movement
- 17:15–19:00 Self-inquiry and Q&A
- 19:00–20:00 Dinner

Arrival day begins with a welcoming and opening from 17:30 to 19:00, followed by dinner. On departure day there is movement and breakfast, checkout by 10:00, then a closing and meditation from 10:30 to 12:15 and a final lunch.

About Emilio Mercuriali

Emilio Mercuriali is a senior teacher of the Diamond Logos, the body of work founded by Faisal Muqaddam. Past participants describe his teaching as down-to-earth, with insights that can be carried into daily life and into relationships.

The Setting

Mandali Retreat Center sits in Quarna Sopra and offers peaceful practice rooms, contemplative outdoor nooks, permaculture gardens and scenic hiking trails. Yoga and meditation props are provided. The Body Care Centre has a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and indoor heated swimming pool, all free to use for guests. Massages and therapies there cost extra.

Meals are vegetarian, three a day, with fruit, tea and filtered water available throughout. Rooms come as single, twin, premium or shared, or as a hermitage. Guests fly into Malpensa International Airport and arrange their own transfers to the center.

Before You Go

The retreat is open to people of all backgrounds and lineages. What it asks for is a curious mind, a courageous heart and a clear intention. Sessions are in English.

The price includes five nights of accommodation, full board, fruit, teas and filtered water, use of the Body Care Centre facilities, and all workshops and sessions in the program. Flights, transfers and massages or therapies are not included.