MEDITATION IN MOTION: AN INNER JOURNEY AT KAISANJI
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 presence. Through practices of meditation in motion, inner truth finds expression and takes shape: in the purity of offering tea through a traditional ritual, in the simplicity of a haiku or senryu, and in the clarity of a single monochrome brushstroke in Sumi-e ink painting. This is not simply about learning techniques. It is an invitation to surrender to the flow of the present moment and experience its fullness, free from the mechanical rhythms of everyday life. Through this process, we nurture our natural clarity and awaken a sense of compassion towards ourselves and the world around us.
Daily Schedule
06:00 | Wake-up
06:30–08:00 | Mindful Breathing & Physical Exercise
08:20–09:30 | Zazen – Kinhin (Seated and Walking Meditation)
09:30–10:00 | Breakfast
10:00–11:00 | Free Time
11:00–12:30 | The Art of Japanese Tea
12:30–14:00 | Samu (Communal Work)
14:00–14:30 | Lunch
14:30–16:30 | Free Time
16:30–18:30 | Haiku & Senryu: The Poetry of the Moment
19:20–20:30 | Zazen – Kinhin (Seated and Walking Meditation)
20:30–21:00 | Dinner
21:30 | End of Day
Participation Information
The programme includes daily meditation and arts practices, accommodation in twin rooms, and all daily meals.
The suggested contribution is €600 for active members of the Center and €800 for non-members.
Arrival in Serifos should take place on November 16, no later than 17:00. The schedule for the day of arrival is as follows:
18:00–19:00 Welcome Meeting – Introduction to the Space, the Retreat, and the Participants
19:00–20:00 Dinner
20:30 Rest
Departure from Kaisanji will be possible at the conclusion of the retreat on November 21.
For further information, enquiries, or to register, please contact [email protected]
The facilitator
Katerina Olka
Psychologist | Systemic Psychotherapist | Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Katerina Olka is a psychologist, systemic psychotherapist, and practitioner of traditional Japanese arts and Zen meditation (Zazen). She takes a holistic approach to the human experience, bringing together a clinical understanding of the mind with the profound wisdom of body and spirit.
She studied Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and Neuropsychology in France. Her path bridges the clinical understanding of the human mind with the spiritual traditions of the East and an experiential exploration of the arts of presence, yoga, and meditation.
From her holistic perspective, yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise, just as meditation is not simply an exercise of the mind. Rather, both are living practices that invite awakening, the liberation of body and mind, and inner peace.
As the founder of kōyō, she creates spaces for meaningful encounters, where the therapeutic process meets mindful movement and stillness, the Japanese tea ritual, and the quiet magic of the present moment.
