Meteora April 2015

Spirituality is an integral part of life and emanates in every part of the physical world. Meteora is an exceptional spiritual wonder of nature! There are over 800 monoliths of different shapes and up to 400 m height in an area of 25 square km.

In the 10^th century AD the first Byzantine monks came for solitude and prayer. Over time they created a flourishing community of over 30 monasteries built with great human effort and superb craftsmanship like eagle nests on top of these rocks.

Today, there are 6 monasteries that can be visited. These are fort-like structures and entering them is an experience in itself. There was no actual entrance 70 years ago and the monks were coming in and out of them through a net and a pulley that was lifting them up 50-70 meters high! Apart from the unparalleled view, the unfathomed tenacity and effort of the builders and the 10-century-old history there is still something more… It is the devotion and prayers that have been chanted in these sacred abodes for over 1000 years. You can still listen their psalmodies in the early morning and evening liturgies.

In this breath-taking valley of monoliths we will have our retreat. We will hike the gorgeous, narrow and relatively easy paths that lead us to the entrance of the monasteries. These are the same paths that were used by the ancient monks when there were no roads. Chi Gong will be performed outdoors on the way to the monasteries and on top of these magnificent rocks with bird views of the town of Kalambaka, Penios River and the entire valley. We will experience Pranayama (yogic breathing) and self-massage techniques.

We will meditate, pray, tour, and be part of this majestic atmosphere. We will have a guided tour inside all available monasteries of monks and nuns. The symbolism and the reason these churches were built will be revealed and we will share the experience of being closer to God as this definitely is one of God’s sanctuaries. We will also visit the cave of Theopetra (God’s stone) with evidence of human settlement as early as 50.000 years ago.

The monks didn’t choose these rocks randomly. When you enter this valley of rocks it is as if you are entering sacred space! You feel a joyous thankful energy permeating all of your being and there is an opening of the heart just by stepping your foot on this holy ground.

Aims

This retreat will help you to: 

• Learn and practice the Chi Gong form Hui Chun Gong, which means “Returning of spring by cultivating the vital energy”. The core of Hui Chun Gong is to keep one healthy and prolong the person’s life. The key points of prolonging life are: regulation of heart (thought), regulation of body (movement) and regulation of rest (respiration). 

• Learn and practice Meditation on the microcosmic & macrocosmic orbit. 

• Learn and practice a belly massage and self-massage technique.

• Hiking to the monasteries (1 hike/day of 2 hrs. maximum duration-uphill & downhill). 

• Guided tour inside the monasteries 

The teaching and learning methods will be:

Work in Groups

All lessons – physical and theoretical - will be taught in a group

Theoretical and Practical Applications

An introduction to Chi Gong with explanation of the specific meditations and movements with practical applications

Experiential Groups

We will work in a group mostly in silence

Journey Schedule:

Day 1: Arrival in Athens. Pick up and check in at Hera Boutique Hotel (in the centre of Athens)

Dinner at Peackock restaurant (located in Hera Boutique Hotel). Peackock restaurant is located in the roof garden and is offering a magnificent view to the Acropolis hill and Athens city centre. It is a good opportunity to meet the rest of the team and familiarize yourself better with the philosophy of the trip.

Day 2: Morning: Tour in Athens. Acropolis, Acropolis museum, lunch in the area of the Ancient Agora and Plaka.

The Agora was the center of political and public life in Ancient Athens. It was a large open area surrounded by buildings of various functions. The Agora was utilized for commerce, political, religious and military activity

Night: Visit Lycabettus hill and dinner. The hill of Lycabettus is the highest peak of Athens, which overlooks the capital from 277 meters. It offers spectacular views over Athens and the suburbs. You can view the Athens city centre, the Acropolis, the Pireaus Port, Aegina Island and the Saronic Gulf.

Day 3: Departure for Meteora. Check in at Dupiani House Hotel.  

Day 4: Morning: Retreat

Daily schedule of the Retreat (Day 4,5,6):

08:00-09:00 Hui Chun Gong performed outdoors (weather permitting, near or on a boulder)

09:00-10:00 Breakfast

10:30-15:00 Hike with stop for Chi Gong practice and tour of the Monasteries

15:00-19:00 Free time

19:00-20:30 Discussion-Meditation

Afternoon: Visit Milia and Metsovo, dinner.

Milia is one of the most beautiful villages of Epirus . Located at an altitude of 1250 meters above deionized sea , the mountain of Pindos .

Metsovo: Many cities claim the title of the most picturesque settlement of Greece, but this title belongs undoubtedly to Metsovo. A mountain town that captivates visitors with amazing colors and unique images. Situated at an altitude of 1200 meters, in an impressive green landscape, exactly where North Pindos is separated from South. Metsovo awakens sensations forgotten! Despite the rapid increase of tourism in recent years, the area has not lost its traditional character. Perfectly combining the past with the present and is an ideal shelter for all seasons of the year.

Day 5: Morning: Retreat. Night: Free

Day 6: Morning: Retreat. Night: Visit Kalabaka.

Kalabaka is a small town located near Meteora and the Pinios river. It offers spectacular views to Meteora monasteries.

Day 7: Departure for Athens. Check in Hera Boutique Hotel. Free evening

Day 8: Departure

Full Price: 1350 Euros (Price includes hotel accommodation, transportation within Greece, lunches, dinners, sites entrance fees, tour guides, retreat fee for 4 days. Airfare tickets for arrival and departure from Greece are not included).