November 16 – 21, 2026 Kaisanji, Serifos The Spirit of the Retreat Our longing for silence and our attraction to the natural world are not simply signs of a desire to escape. They express a deeper need to return to our innermost being and reconnect with our true Self. Hosted at Kaisanji, the Zen monastery on the island of Serifos, embraced by mountains and sea, this initiative by Zen Center Athens invites participants to rediscover, through direct experience, what it means to be fully present in the here and now. Here, the principles of Zen meet the art of living…

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Dear members of Zen Center Athens, from November 6 to 12 we will have the pleasure of hosting Bernd Bender from Akazienzendo Berlin at Kaisanji Serifos. Below is an excerpt from the teacher’s website as well as a link to visit if you would like to get more information. “All are welcome, from beginners in meditation to seasoned practitioners, to join a six-day retreat that blends serenity with intensity, without being overwhelming. Our daily practice begins at 6:30 in the morning, followed by breakfast served in the traditional Zen Oryoki-style in the meditation hall. Throughout the day, there will be…

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‘In Silence, In Relationship’ Zen, Yoga & Psychological Groupwork Retreat Kaisanji Monastery, Serifos Saturday 17th– Wednesday 21st October 2026 Sunday 16th – Friday 21st May 2027 PDF FILE About the retreat This five-day retreat, which is rooted in the traditional Zen practice, brings together zazen meditation, yoga and psychological groupwork as complementary elements of an integrated path of inner growth. The program is carefully structured to help you step away from the pace and distractions of everyday life, settle into the rhythm of the monastery and immerse yourself in practices that cultivate awareness, embodied presence and psychological flexibility. It includes…

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ZEN AND YOGA RETREATS IN SERIFOS 2026 – 2027 KARUNA RETREAT, OCTOBER 25 – 30, 2026 ANANDA RETREAT, MARCH 25 – 30, 2027 SANTOSHA RETREAT, MAY 25 – 30, 2027 THE LAND One of man’s greatest needs is to be in contact with Nature. In a natural environment and away from the frenetic pace of the city, we can experience deep transformation and reconnection with our true Self. The Zen & Yoga Retreats take place in Kaisanji, in the Kalo Ampeli area, on the beautiful (and protected from the northern winds)  southern part of the island. THE VISION A community…

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ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT IN SERIFOS 2026 KAISANJI SESSHIN, KALO AMPELI SERIFOS  1 – 5 MAY 2026, With the presence of Koten Roshi Dear members of Zen Center Athens, We invite you to participate in the Kaisanji Sesshin of 2026. During the sesshin we follow the Hosshinji monastery’s program. The sesshin is done in silence, without cell phones, computers and books. Meals are done in the traditional monastic way using oryoki. Sesshin is a form of group intensive zazen practice and is therefore not recommended for beginner level practitioners but for those who are experienced and wish to deepen. The participation…

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