Our Community of Retreat Leaders
Founders
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"As awareness rests in the heart, an indescribable joy from within unfolds." Bruce Davis
 photo by www.andrelucci.com
Bruce Davis PhD
Bruce has been guiding retreats worldwide since 1983 and leads the daily sitting meditations. He is the author of the best seller, The Magical Child Within You. His teachings are based in his deep connection to silence, simplicity and heartfulness. He has a gift for guiding people from the busy-ness of the mind into the wisdom of the quiet heart. He is a teacher of world religions and combines psychology and spirituality to create a rich understanding of human potential. Together Bruce and Ruth created two retreat centers in Assisi, Italy where they lived for 12 years. They live in California where they opened a silent retreat center www.SilentStay.com. They teach in the summer in Assisi. |
"A retreat is a time to come home inside yourself, where the mind stops and silence of the heart begins." Ruth Davis
Ruth Davis
Ruth has been practicing meditation since 1968 when she went to India and embraced a heart path of meditation and devotion. She has the gift to help people connect to their spiritual heart to deepen meditation practice. Ruth developed a method of awareness training that she offers to each retreatant as part of the retreat, called Infinite Heart Awareness™, which helps each person to bring the energy of their soul into their daily life. She is an energy healer with background in Chi Gung and movement therapy. A devotional dancer from childhood, Ruth created a meditative movement practice embodying the MahaVidyas, the Wisdom Mothers of India. |
We are a community that believe the sharing of Divine Love in the spirit of peace, service and humility is our highest purpose. Each day the retreat leaders provide a contemplation practice and are available for one on one meditation guidance or spiritual counseling as well.
They are dedicating their time to support each person, with kindness and understanding, to receive the peace of Assisi.
They are dedicating their time to support each person, with kindness and understanding, to receive the peace of Assisi.
David Nowe - Retreat Leader
David attended a Franciscan Catholic High School and became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis at the age of 14. After attending Columbia University, he explored many cultures and traditions including his years as a Swami in India, living in a Zen Buddhist Monastery in Japan and traveling to 70 countries around the world.
David has a unique gift of opening people to unconditional love and helping them build a sustainable spiritual practice.
David attended a Franciscan Catholic High School and became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis at the age of 14. After attending Columbia University, he explored many cultures and traditions including his years as a Swami in India, living in a Zen Buddhist Monastery in Japan and traveling to 70 countries around the world.
David has a unique gift of opening people to unconditional love and helping them build a sustainable spiritual practice.
Deirdre (Didi) Buckingham - Retreat Leader
Didi has been practicing meditation since 1986 and has been following the path to heart centered peace ever since. She combines her passion & professional experience to guide each person into the peace and mystery of Assisi.
As Director of Pastoral Ministries for St. Giles Parish in Oak Park. Illinois, Deirdre
walked with individuals in many facets of their spiritual journey. She brings a profound depth of understanding and compassion to her work along with a bright spirit of spontaneity and joy.
Didi has been practicing meditation since 1986 and has been following the path to heart centered peace ever since. She combines her passion & professional experience to guide each person into the peace and mystery of Assisi.
As Director of Pastoral Ministries for St. Giles Parish in Oak Park. Illinois, Deirdre
walked with individuals in many facets of their spiritual journey. She brings a profound depth of understanding and compassion to her work along with a bright spirit of spontaneity and joy.
Andrea Gademann - Retreat Leader
Andrea, a devoted mother and grandmother. For the past 10 years she has been leading meditation peace retreats in Germany. She has 20 years experience as a body & breathing therapist working with young mothers preparing for birth and terminally ill patients on their way to transitioning.
Her personal path is deep inner self inquiry through meditation & quiet. On the journey to stillness Andrea discovered the beauty of the unlimited universe within. In her retreats she helps guests to feel the presence of great heart that is waiting in every human heart to blossom. Andrea sees her gifts in connecting spiritual practice with daily life.
Andrea, a devoted mother and grandmother. For the past 10 years she has been leading meditation peace retreats in Germany. She has 20 years experience as a body & breathing therapist working with young mothers preparing for birth and terminally ill patients on their way to transitioning.
Her personal path is deep inner self inquiry through meditation & quiet. On the journey to stillness Andrea discovered the beauty of the unlimited universe within. In her retreats she helps guests to feel the presence of great heart that is waiting in every human heart to blossom. Andrea sees her gifts in connecting spiritual practice with daily life.
Brenda Brisch - Retreat Leader
Brenda has been lovingly guiding contemplative retreats for over 35 years and has devoted much of her life to spiritual inquiry. After practicing Transcendental Meditation in the 1970’s, she studied Vedanta philosophy and yoga with an Indian monk from Gujarat. She began teaching Hatha Yoga, in his school, in Chicago shortly thereafter. In 1976, she met her teacher, Swami Muktananda, with whom she traveled widely for many years. She became a monk under his auspices, and he instructed her to continue teaching in Europe, India, and the United States. She was the swami in residence in the Paris ashram.
She joined the Silent Stay community of retreat leaders in 2016, teaching in California and Assisi, Italy. Brenda helps people discover their own pathway to inner peace, and to understand that all of life’s circumstances are a guide to finding the stillness within. She gently guides people into the sweetness & peace St Francis & St Clare inspire.
Brenda has been lovingly guiding contemplative retreats for over 35 years and has devoted much of her life to spiritual inquiry. After practicing Transcendental Meditation in the 1970’s, she studied Vedanta philosophy and yoga with an Indian monk from Gujarat. She began teaching Hatha Yoga, in his school, in Chicago shortly thereafter. In 1976, she met her teacher, Swami Muktananda, with whom she traveled widely for many years. She became a monk under his auspices, and he instructed her to continue teaching in Europe, India, and the United States. She was the swami in residence in the Paris ashram.
She joined the Silent Stay community of retreat leaders in 2016, teaching in California and Assisi, Italy. Brenda helps people discover their own pathway to inner peace, and to understand that all of life’s circumstances are a guide to finding the stillness within. She gently guides people into the sweetness & peace St Francis & St Clare inspire.
In Gratitude
In gratitude, we are honored that David, Brenda, Andrea and Deirdre have joined us. Their extensive commitment to spiritual practice, community life, and a heart full journey is a gift to everyone.