Our Italian Adventure: Chasing Down Spirituality in Italy

PART: 103. It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.

We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!

We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).

Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we are discovering some gems worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.

Let's explore a personal topic this week: chasing down a spiritual connection in Italy.

Step 2: Mentor Teacher Advice

In the final years of my teaching career in Los Angeles, I mentored new educators. Due to the high attrition rate (up to 44% of teachers leave within the first 5 years), my school district established a program in which experienced teachers guided new teachers for two years.

One piece of advice I always imparted to new teachers was to "live the type of life that you want your students to have." I emphasized this because it's easy for those in service-oriented professions (such as teachers, ministers, and social workers) to become so consumed by helping others that they neglect their own well-being.

After witnessing the challenges my new teachers face and reflecting on my own experiences, I identified three levels of self-care crucial for effectiveness: physical, emotional, and spiritual.

While these levels are interconnected, I want to specifically discuss the spiritual dimension in this blog.

Step 3: "Spirituality"

I understand that spirituality can mean different things to different people. I want to take some time to reflect on my own experience of spirituality and how that translates into our life in Italy.

How do I find ways to nourish my spirit? How do I find peace of mind when I'm in turmoil? Where do I find a sense of meaning and purpose when things feel out of control?

I will share some spiritual practices that work for me here in Italy.

Step 4: Smart Feet

Many years ago, I first came across the concept of having "smart feet'' at a 12-step meeting (Al Anon). I was dealing with a loved one's addiction and struggling to cope. Around the same time, a close friend unexpectedly passed away, and I found myself sinking into depression.

Despite this, I continued attending meetings and hearing the message about "smart feet": "I cannot control what I feel, but I CAN control what I do."

In my case, I felt like isolating myself, but I believed that wouldn't be good for me. So, I took contrary action and decided to have "smart feet": I reached out to my friends, sought counseling, and actively engaged in life rather than withdrawing. I didn't feel like doing any of it, but I knew I could make healthy choices regardless of my feelings.

I am grateful that I was able to navigate through that period of depression and learned valuable lessons along the way.

The concept of having "smart feet" has significantly impacted how I incorporate spirituality into my life. Instead of being only an internal, contemplative activity, my spiritual practices almost always involve physical movement and deliberate choices.

Step 5: The Walk

When I'm in California, I bike every evening after dinner. In Italy, I prefer walking because riding on cobblestones is difficult.

The purpose of both activities is the same: taking a walk in the evening in Italy is a spiritual practice for me. During that time, I reflect on my day, set aside any worries or obsessions, and focus on what I'm thankful for.

During my evening walks in town, I often take breaks to admire the scenery, explore historic churches, or simply gaze at the beautiful buildings and sky.

Without this evening pause, I tend to get lost in my mental "to-do" lists, over-plan future events, or dwell on past mistakes. The evening walk (or ride) helps me pause and reconnect with my spirit, returning me to a place of tranquility.

The stunning landscapes of Italy serve as incredible inspiration for my evening strolls.

Step 6: Unlocked churches

I visit churches in Italy for various reasons. Sometimes, I appreciate the art and culture, and other times, I explore historical tombs or monuments. Other times, I enter an unlocked church specifically to find the sanctuary candle, which allows me to sit, reflect, and express gratitude.

Italy has plenty of unlocked churches, providing opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and find a peaceful environment. Whether walking or exploring a new area, I sometimes seek out unlocked churches to rejuvenate my spirit.

Step 7: Trekking

Reconnecting with nature allows me to experience serenity and a connection with the divine. Driving through beautiful landscapes moves me less than trekking through a forest, up a hill, or along a cliff. When I'm not immersed in nature regularly, something is missing. Living next to Monte Amiata provides plenty of hiking opportunities. We went on a few hikes last summer, but the cold kept us indoors when we returned in the winter. I'm excited to return in the Fall to reconnect with nature on Monte Amiata.

Step 8: Monastic spirituality

I have a special connection to living monasteries. Something about the Gregorian chants, the monks, and the overall atmosphere makes me feel part of a different world. I always feel a unique sense of peace and tranquility when I visit a living monastery.

When I say "living" monastery, I mean a monastery still populated by monks or nuns. I find these places more spiritually moving than abandoned monasteries, which are just historical monuments.

In our area, we've visited the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in Tuscany (https://www.monteolivetomaggiore.it/ ) and the new monastery, still under construction, of Siloe near Grosseto (http://www.monasterodisiloe.it/ ).

Monte Oliveto is a fully functioning historical monastery with a beautiful abbey church, an organic farm, a store, a guest house, and a welcoming community of monks. The Gregorian chant services on weekends are incredibly moving. The grounds are also worth exploring, with forests, frescoes, vineyards, and wine tasting.

The Siloe monastery is being created by a group of monks who were inspired to form a new community, detached from their surroundings yet connected to the modern world. The architecture reflects their inspiring vision. The monastery also has a small guesthouse available for visitors.

Step 9: Setting Sundays apart

My spirituality has evolved over the years, and I still like to set aside Sunday mornings to focus on that part of my life. If we do not go to Monte Oliveto, we usually drive to the ancient abbey of Sant'Antimo (https://www.antimo.it/), where we participate in the service. There are only a few nuns there, in contrast to the thriving monastic community of the past. But with a history that stretches back to the time of Charlemagne and situated in a beautiful area of Tuscany, visiting Sant'Antimo is a great way to start our week.

Since Sant'Antimo is in the Val d'Orcia, we usually continue our Sundays by hiking or driving to explore a new area before returning to our home in Arcidosso.

Insights:

Spirituality varies from person to person, and as we settle into our lives in Italy, I am exploring ways to nurture myself on all three levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Italy has so much to offer to nourish anyone's concept of spirituality.

More next time.

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