Meteora – Suspended in Heaven
SACRED SPIRIT SACRED EARTH
CHI GONG, YOGA, VIPASSANA MEDITATION & HIKING RETREAT
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.
The word Meteora comes from “Meteorite” which means, “Suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the 10th 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 monolithic valley 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 Hui Chun Gong, which means “Returning of spring by cultivating the vital energy”. The aim of Hui Chun Gong is to keep one healthy and prolong ones 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 2-4 hrs. maximum duration-uphill & downhill).
· Guided tour inside the monasteries
Structure and Dates
Dates: March 16-23, 2018
Daily schedule:
08:00-09:00 Pranayama, Meditation
09:00-10:00 Breakfast
10:30-15:00 Hike, Chi Gong and visit to the Monasteries
15:00-19:00 Dinner-Free time
19:30-21:00 Yoga-Meditation
Program times may vary.