KARUNA YOGA & ZEN RETREAT 25 – 31 OCTOBER 2023
YOGA RETREATS IN GREECE 2023 / YOGA RETREAT IN SERIFOS 2023
WITH ANTARATMA THEODOROS CHIOTIS & ALEXANDRA SOTIROPOULOU
KAISANJI SERIFOS GREECE
The land
One of man’s greatest needs is to be in contact with Nature. In a natural enviroment and away from the frenetic pace of the city, we can experience deep transformation and reconnection with our true Self.
Karuna Yoga & Zen retreat is 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.
Kaisanji hosts retreats and workshops throughout the year. During the practice season (October – May) the program is intensive, focusing more on discipline and service.
Participating in the Yoga & 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 that will follow us and later in our daily lives will occur.
- 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 both Yoga and Buddhism are common. Just be, realize that you are already complete, connected to everything and everyone, and practice Karuna, compassion for all beings, including yourself.
Gautama Buddha has said the following:
“You can look everywhere in the universe for someone who deserves love and affection more than you deserve it. That person is nowhere to be found. You yourself, like anyone else in the whole world, deserve love and affection.”
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
- All daily meals
DAILY RETREAT PROGRAMME
- 6:00 – 9:00 yoga & zazen
- 9:30 – 10:30 breakfast
- 10:30 – 12:00 free time
- 12:00 – 14:00 karma yoga
- 14:00 – 16:00 free time
- 16:00 – 19:30 yoga, recitations & zazen
- 19:30 – 20:30 dinner
