KAISANJI YOGA & ZEN RETREATS OCTOBER 2024 – MARCH & MAY 2025
YOGA AND ZEN RETREATS IN SERIFOS GREECE 2024 – 2025
- KARUNA RETREAT, 25 – 31 OCTOBER 2024
- ANANDA RETREAT, 25 – 31 MARCH 2025
- SANTOSHA RETREAT, 25 – 31 MAY 2025
THE LAND
One of man’s greatest needs is to be in contact with Nature. In a natural enviroment and away from the hectic pace of the city, we can experience deep transformation and reconnection with our true Self. The Yoga & Zen Retreats are hosted in Kaisanji, in the Kalo Ampeli region, in the southern part of the island, which remains unspoiled by mass tourism and large hotel developments.
THE VISION
A community of people who share common ideas can make a difference. We invite you to become part of our vision, which focuses on expanding the teachings of Meditation, uplifting the human being and culminating in the realization of oneness with all beings.
The name Kaisanji comes from the union of three Japanese words, KAI means sea, SAN means mountain and JI means monastery. Kaisanji is therefore “The Monastery of the Mountain and the Sea”.
The new building is under construction according to the traditional principles of Zen Monasteries. As it will be the first Zen Monastery in Greece, it will enable more people to follow the spiritual path. Its central role is to support and inspire practitioners as they walk the path of Meditation.
PARTICIPATING IN THE YOGA AND ZEN RETREAT
The purpose of the Retreat is to support a change in lifestyle and our perspective on things for this time period and beyond. All teachings agree that in order to have an expansion of awareness we need to experience a condition outside of our mechanistic way of living and interacting. This change in habitual way of life is deeply connected to a change in habitual way of thinking. It is therefore very likely that during the days, a reassessment of our needs and goals in life wil occur that will follow us in our daily lives.
- What does a person need to be happy?
- What are the foundations of a healthy mind and body?
- How Meditation can empower all aspects of life?
These are spontaneous questions that can be spontaneously answered as we learn to relax into silence without expecting or desiring anything other than what the moment has to offer. The basic teachings of Buddhism and Yoga are common. Just be, realize that you are already complete, connected to everything and everyone, and practice Karuna, compassion for all beings, including yourself.
AWAKEN THE COMPASSIONATE SELF
The Buddha taught compassion for all living beings, a fundamental quality in spiritual life. It is the path we need to take and the way to live, and it is based on the realization that all beings live immersed in ignorance and suffer because of it. The main consequence of ignorance is the feeling of separation that creates isolation and the illusion of a small ego that tries to dominate the rest.
Practising compassion awakens intuition and expands the space of the heart. We understand the root of pain and do everything in our ability to relieve it. We must realize that we should start with ourselves first because only then we can feel true compassion for others.
“You can search the entire universe for someone more deserving of your love and affection than you are, and you will not find that person anywhere. You, more than anyone else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
Gautama Buddha
PARTICIPATION RULES & COST
The suggested contribution for all active members of Zen Center Athens is 540 euros and 720 euros for non-members.
This contribution includes all yoga and zazen sessions, accommodation in single or double rooms and all daily meals.
DAILY RETREAT PROGRAMME
- 06:00 – 09:00 Yoga & Zazen
- 09:30 – 10:30 Breakfast
- 10:30 – 12:00 Free time
- 12:20 – 13:20 Zazen
- 13:30 – 16:00 Free time
- 16:00 – 19:00 Yoga & Zazen
- 19:30 – 20:30 Dinner
For more information and for joining the retreat, please contact us at [email protected]
