YOGA AND ZEN RETREATS IN SERIFOS, GREECE

Six Days of Yoga and Zen Meditation

UPCOMING DATES

Ananda Retreat, 25–30 March 2027
Santosha Retreat, 25–30 May 2027
Karuna Retreat, 25–30 October 2027

At their heart, the Yoga and Zen traditions share the same invitation:
just be, realise that you are already exactly where you need to be,
and practise karuna, compassion, for all living beings, including yourself.

Yoga and Zen Retreats in Serifos, Greece

One of the greatest needs of a human being is to connect with Nature. Away from the frantic pace of city life, in the presence of a natural environment, we can find space to reconnect with ourselves. Our Yoga and Zen Retreats take place at Kaisanji, in the Kalo Ampeli region on the south side of Serifos, in the Cyclades. This area remains untouched by mass tourism and large hotels, which gives the retreat a quiet, natural setting.

The name “Kaisanji” combines three Japanese words: “KAI”, meaning sea; “SAN”, meaning mountain; and “JI”, meaning monastery. Kaisanji is therefore “the monastery of the mountain and sea”. A new building is currently under construction, following the traditional principles of Zen monasteries. As the first Zen monastery in Greece, Kaisanji aims to inspire more people and to offer them a space on their spiritual path.

The retreat offers a thoughtful programme that focuses on cultivating a consistent daily practise of Yoga and Zen, and on nurturing a deeper understanding of oneself. Whether you are new to practice or have years of experience, it gives you time and space to practise Yoga and Zen meditation, with benefits for both body and mind, in the quiet beauty of Serifos.

The Vision of the Retreat in Serifos

Our vision at Kaisanji is a community of like-minded people who practise and share the teachings of meditation, uplift one another, and cultivate a sense of oneness with all living beings.

Supporting our Vision

We warmly welcome everyone who wishes to explore and support our vision. By joining our retreats, you also help Zen meditation grow in Greece and support Zen Center Athens and Kaisanji.

Joining a Yoga and Zen Retreat in Serifos

The purpose of the retreat is to support a shift in how we live and how we see things, during the retreat and beyond. To expand our awareness, we need to step out of the mechanical ways in which we live and interact. A change in daily routine is closely linked to a change in our habitual patterns of thought.

During the retreat, participants are encouraged to look honestly at their real needs and goals in life. This often brings up essential questions, such as:

What does a human being need to be happy?
What are the foundations of a healthy mind and body?
How can meditation support all aspects of life?

These questions can find their answers as we learn to relax into silence and accept the present moment, without expecting or wanting it to be different. The retreat aims to create a space where participants can reassess their priorities, cultivate mindfulness, and deepen their connection with themselves and the world around them. It supports personal growth and encourages a compassionate outlook towards oneself and others.

Whats is included

Five nights’ accommodation in single, double or triple rooms

Two Yoga classes and two Zen meditation sittings daily

Plant-based meals freshly prepared by our cook

Getting to Serifos

The closest airport to Serifos is Athens International Airport, with domestic and international flights all year round. From the airport you can reach the port of Piraeus and take the ferry to Serifos. The trip takes approximately 2 hours by speedboat and 4 hours by the slow boat.

Meals

All meals are vegetarian/vegan, prepared by our cook with fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables. The recipes are simple and tasty, based on a plant-based diet that emphasises good nutrition. Please let us know about any dietary requirements we should consider.

Participation Fee

€600 for members of Zen Center Athens

€800 for non-members

(Ask us how to become a member of our community.)

PHOTOS FROM OUR RETREATS

AWAKEN THE COMPASSIONATE BUDDHA SELF

The Buddha taught that compassion for all living beings is a fundamental quality in spiritual life. This path of compassion is rooted in the understanding that all beings are immersed in ignorance, which leads to suffering. The main consequence of ignorance is the feeling of separation, which causes isolation and the illusion of a small ego that seeks to dominate others.

Practising compassion awakens our intuition and expands the space of the heart. Through this practice, we begin to understand the root of pain and suffering, which motivates us to do everything in our power to alleviate it. True compassion, however, starts within ourselves. By cultivating self-compassion and addressing our own suffering, we can develop genuine empathy for others.

When we nurture kindness and understanding towards ourselves, we create a solid foundation from which to extend compassion outward. This inner work allows us to connect more deeply with others and fosters a sense of unity and shared humanity. The practise of compassion does not only change our own lives. It also contributes to the healing and upliftment of all beings, and to a more harmonious world.

Attributed to the Buddha:

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”