Rilke belongs to the handful of poets whose writings have had a shaping influence on the cultures of Modernity, and this year marks the 150th anniversary of his birth (1875 – 1926). Already a bestselling poet and writer during his lifetime, his influence has grown exponentially over the century since his death. Many readers will remember the epiphanies they experienced when they read his Letters to a Young Poet in which he famously advised us not to seek answers but rather dare to “live the questions.” His poems—from his early Book of Hours (1905) to his last two collections, The Sonnets to Orpheus and The Duino Elegies (1923)—do just this: they invite us to live into what he described as “the Open.” To embrace the mysteries that are always close at hand. To accept the “here-ness” and “once-ness” of this life as an invitation. And to discover how we belong to what he came to call “the Whole.”
Join us to explore a selection of Rilke’s poems and writings with the award-winning translator, poet, and Rilke scholar Mark S. Burrows, professor emeritus of the University of Applied Sciences in Bochum, Germany, who most recent book is You Are the Future: Living the Questions with Rainer Maria Rilke (2024), a book that draws on Rilke’s poems as an encouragement in facing inner doubts and outer struggles. During the retreat we will turn to Rilke’s early poems from The Book of Hours (1905) in Burrows’ first-ever English rendition of them in their original version (published as Prayers of a Young Poet [3rd revised edition 2023]) as well as his new translation of Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus (2024).
This event takes place at Bonnevaux and offers an opportunity to discover the rich cultural and historical French and European heritage of the 12th-century Abbaye de Bonnevaux, as well as to explore the varied and natural beauty of the land which we cultivate as a model of ecological responsibility.
This retreat is both for the beginning and ongoing meditators. There will be four periods of meditation a day to accommodate your level of practice. Mornings will be in silence through breakfast and lunch, with the afternoon opening to times of rest and solitude and a convivial dinner where you can get to know your neighbour.
Bonnevaux (Bonne Vallée , or Good Valley) is set within a beautiful valley formed by the river Rhune (la Rhûne) which descends past the Chapel and the 12th-century Abbaye, emptying into the lake beyond. The beauty and peace of Bonnevaux´s 65 hectares (160 acres) reflects the contemplative life lived here from its foundation as a Benedictine monastery in 1119 until the French Revolution. The community is continuing this policy as a living witness to the link between ecology and the human spirit. The land has over 20 different plant habitats, some of which are of heritage value.
Bonnevaux is near Poitiers, France, southwest of Paris. It is 20-minute ride from Poitiers Airport and train station. The journey by train to Poitiers is about 90 min from Paris (Montparnasse).
By road
5 hour drive from Paris along the A10. Parking is available at Bonnevaux. Get directions here
By air
Fly into Poitiers Airport, served by low-cost airlines. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the Abbaye. To the Poitiers Biard Airport website
Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – click here to get all travel info to and from the airport.
Fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport – click here to get all travel info to and from the airport.
By train
1.5h by TGV from Paris to Poitiers station which is about 20 minutes drive from Bonnevaux. To the Gare de Poitiers Train Station website
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Speakers
Leader
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Mark S. Burrows
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Mark S. Burrows is an award-winning poet, translator, and scholar. An historian of medieval mysticism, he is also widely recognized as one of the leading translators and interpreters of modern German poetry, above all the writings of Rainer Maria Rilke. His recent translations include Rilke’s Prayers of a Young Poet, the original version of poems that later came to comprise the opening section of his Book of Hours, and Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus (2024). He has also published three books of meditative poems inspired by Meister Eckhart’s writings including, most recently, Meister Eckhart’s Book of Darkness and Light (awarded the Gold Medal by the Nautilus Book Awards in 2024). His newest book is You Are the Future: Living the Questions with Rainer Maria Rilke (2024, cowritten with Australian writer Stephanie Dowrick), comprised of essays drawing on Rilke’s poems as an invitation to do the “heartwork” required to live with creative fidelity in these times. He is a member of the Iona Community and a beloved retreat leader in the UK, Europe and across the US. He lives and writes in Camden, ME. www.soul-in-sight.org
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Schedule
Everything Matters:
Living the Questions & Daring the Present with Rainer Maria Rilke
| Arrival | Tuesday 29 April 2025, check-in: 13h30 – 15h30 |
| Departure | Sunday 4 May 2025, after lunch (14h00) |
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Contribution
| Single room with ensuite bathroom | €950 |
| Single room with shared bathroom | €800 |
| Shared twin room with ensuite bathroom | €600 |
The prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. Therefore if you’re able to give a little more we would be very grateful. Please, click here to donate.
If you need a concession please let us know. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resources. Please, click the email address <contact@bonnevauxabp.com> to contact us.
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Dietary Information
At Bonnevaux, we aim for healthy, well-rounded, and nutritious meals. Please indicate your meal preference (non-vegetarian, vegetarian) below within the registration process.
* Unfortunately, we cannot cater to specific intolerances and allergies — we do not have the team or facilities for this. Please also be aware that traces of allergens (e.g. nuts) may be found in the food at Bonnevaux.
* We are committed to balancing protein, carbohydrates, fats and fiber from organic meat, plant-based proteins, vegetables, un-processed carbs, grains, legumes and fruit.
* Gluten and Lactose intolerance: we cannot create individually tailored meals. Should the main course at lunch contain your intolerance, you can always choose from the vegetables on offer and rice (plus non-gluten bread). The salad and soup bar in the evening will offer you a variety to balance out and complement what you have eaten for breakfast and lunch.
* Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at: contact@bonnevauxabp.com.
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Registration
Cancellation
— Please ensure you have travel insurance in place as we cannot refund cancelled travel for any reason.
— If you cancel your Bonnevaux booking up to 30 days before the event starts, you will be refunded the full cost of the event. Cancellations occurring within 30 days of the event start will be offered a voucher for a future event. Bonnevaux reserves the right to cancel events at any point – cancellations occurring within 30 days prior to the event start date will be subject to the voucher refund policy only.
Membership Fee ** – 10€
Membership fee is paid once per year, valid from Jan – Dec.
** by French law you must be a ‘member‘ of the charity (association ABP) Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre Pour la Paix in order to participate at an on-the-ground event at Bonnevaux – 86370 Marçay, France.
Membership is non-binding. It simply means that you are invited to attend the annual general meeting if you wish and that you may receive information about our events during the year.
The Abbey of Bonnevaux is the spiritual home of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) which includes a Conference and Retreat Centre dedicated to peace. The on-the-ground activities of the Abbey are organized under the responsibility of l’Association Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour le Paix (ABP). The Association, which is governed by the French law of 1st July 1901, is registered in Poitiers under the reference RNA: W863007299.
The Abbey of Bonnevaux is the spiritual home of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) which includes a Conference and Retreat Centre dedicated to peace. The on-the-ground activities of the Abbey are organized under the responsibility of l’Association Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour le Paix (ABP). The Association, which is governed by the French law of 1st July 1901, is registered in Poitiers under the reference RNA: W863007299.
Address : Bonnevaux, 86370 Marçay, France.
Phone number : 06 33 43 71 71 / 06 61 96 57 74.
José Pype (President of the Association); Krzysztof Albinski (Executive Director)
Site hosting: Flywheel
Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay