July 3, 2024July 5, 2024Retreat

JOYOUS OLIVE HARVEST

We cordially invite you to take part in our cheerful olive harvest in the picturesque Peli Kastri in southern Pelion!

Our olive harvest is not a typical retreat, instead it’s all about community, olive oil and exuberant celebrations. Our olives are harvested by hand and have to go to the mill on the same day because this is the only way to get the best oil from the olives. That’s why we all have to work together from October to January and every extra pair of hands is welcome. Because work and celebration are inextricably linked for us, food is included in this week. And don’t worry – there’s no shortage of relaxation.

What can you expect?

Happy olive harvest: Learn why it is important to harvest the olives quickly and help us to pick only the green olives from the tree – no fallen or red olives, we leave them for the birds.

Celebrate and enjoy: Experience our traditional harvest celebrations, including music and singing.

Exciting excursions: visit the oil mill with us and learn about the entire oil production process, walk with us across the calderimis to secluded bays (with a bit of luck we can still swim) and fascinating views.

Tree christening: You have the opportunity to choose a tree and adopt it for 1 year. Make your own name tag and hang it on the tree. If you wish, we can support you with your very own “christening ceremony”.

Cooking course Greek specialities: Get to know traditional Greek cuisine and learn how to prepare it yourself. (At the end, of course, everything cooked together is enjoyed over dinner).

Introduction and organisation: On the first evening we discuss everything important – how to harvest the olives correctly and which tasks are to be distributed.

Child-friendly: Bring your children, the more the merrier.

Olive oil: By participating, you naturally secure a share of the harvest. Your olive oil (we will know the quantity after the harvest) will be delivered to you fresh from March 2025.

What to bring with you: Work gloves/gardening gloves (we have some of course, but it’s more comfortable if they fit really well) and sturdy shoes

Course management

Elisabeth and Peter Riedl

Registration:

Please register in advance (see right). If you don’t want to take part on all days but would like to help out a little, you are cordially invited to join us on the first evening for the organisation and introduction.
For last-minute bookings that do not require a room, please send an email to olive@pelikastri.com by 10 October at the latest. Subject: “Happy harvest”.

We look forward to spending a wonderful time with you at the olive harvest and introducing you to the fascinating world of olives.

Course language

German, Greek, English, etc. at the olive harvest we all speak the same language and laughter is universally understood.

March 29, 2024April 10, 2024Retreat

RECLAIM YOUR POWER

Living with the rhythm of the moon and nature is something we humans have always done naturally.

In the fast-paced world we live in, many of us have lost touch with it. This leads to some problems you’re probably familiar with:

Even sabotaging thoughts, unhealthy behavior patterns and a disconnection between ourselves and our bodies are the result when we are not in our strength.

To regain this and learn to live more in harmony with the elements, we will meet in Greece in June.

Through yoga and working with the elements we strengthen the body, calm the mind and achieve a deep connection with ourselves.

What’s waiting for you:

8 practice units (Vinyasa in the morning and Yin meridian therapy in the evening)

3 healthy meals together per day

What will you take with you?

A strengthened body

A calmed nervous system

Connection with yourself and your wisdom

Course management

Dessie Georgieva

Course language

English (German translations possible)

March 18, 2024May 30, 2024Retreat

MINDFULNESS AND INTUITIVE ARCHERY

This unique seminar teaches a combination of intuitive archery and mindfulness.

While using a bow and arrow can be a meditation that connects the outer and inner worlds, the teaching of mindfulness supports you in accepting things as they are.

In the beautiful landscape of southern Pelion, we, Kornelius Hentschel and Peter Riedl, are organizing the seminar “Mindfulness and Intuitive Archery”.

Nestled in the sun, the sea, the wind that rustles the olive trees and the chirping of the cicadas.
Warmth that surrounds you, and then only sound, feeling and mindfully perceiving the world from the center.
The movement of archery develops from this mindfulness, a kind of standing meditation.
I have my place, am rooted, and can develop and let go through personal responsibility and self-efficacy. This has an external effect through the shot, which slides away from me, as it were, like the snow sliding down from the cedar branch.

Tension and relaxation, acceptance of myself as I am and joy in my heart.
Perceiving the world, me, as it is, without judgment, stillness of thought.

Archery is also an immersion into the archetypal world of archetypes, dealing with my inner images and powers.
Entrusting yourself to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the forest and birth, courageous and responsible.
And to always return to the place of meditation to practice mindfulness.

This seminar is led by Kornelius Hentschel, therapeutic bow trainer and Peter Riedl as mindfulness teacher.
One week we will focus on mindfulness training and intuitive archery.
Every day Peter Riedl will teach us mindfulness.

This seminar is aimed at beginners; advanced archers are also welcome.

The first few days involve learning archery and then dedicating yourself entirely to intuitive movement.
In the second half of the week we will enter the world of archetypes and myths. At the same time, we learn to build our personal arrow, which we will then shoot into the sea in a ritual and a special shot with all our wishes.

Course management

Kornelius Hentschel and Peter Riedl

Good to know

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 8 people.

The price includes the seminar and all materials (all archery equipment is provided), as well as a farewell dinner.

The course is suitable for beginners and advanced learners.

Course language

German (translations on request)

November 28, 2023April 10, 2024Retreat

RHYTHM & REMBETICS

Travel with us into the world of Greek sounds

A journey through Greek music history awaits you. We fly over the Greek rhythms, dance Sirtaki (which isn’t actually called that) and sing with Eastern sounds.

We’ll take you into our world in southern Pelion for a week.

You learn:

5 Greek songs to sing

Why 90% of all Greek songs are in a minor key

What is the background of eastern sounds

How the Rembetiko came about

Why Sirtaki doesn’t even exist

The 4 most important dances that will get you ready for every Greek festival

And the most important:

Your soul flies with us into the freedom of the Greek mentality. She experiences the sweetness of melancholic music and immerses herself in a world where there are no time limits. No train timetables, no expectations and where performance is a foreign word.

South Pelion is one of the few places in Greece that has remained rustic and mass tourism has not yet taken hold. People here have time to talk and cook. In Greek mythology, it was the place where the Greek gods vacationed and where the centaurs chased after beautiful young girls.

Why this retreat?

Our workshop is a balanced mix of music, rhythm, history, dance and magic.

Let yourself be enchanted for a week and relax your body, mind and soul.

Course management

Romina & Niko

Course language
German and a bit of Greek (translations on request)

Good to know

You are welcome to take part in individual sessions without living with us… More information about this at info@pelikastri.com

At the same time as this retreat, “Mindful Hiking” with Michael Haid will also take place.

Immediately afterwards, on June 9th, the retreat “Growing with courage” begins with Anna Maurer.

October 28, 2023April 10, 2024Retreat

THE SECRET OF MINDFULNESS

The seminar teaches you to distinguish reality from your own imagination and, above all, it teaches serenity as a path to freedom.

Peter Riedl takes Buddha Shakyamuni’s great teaching on mindfulness and transfers it to today with a lot of experience and practical exercises and thus reveals a secret.

Through proper mindfulness practice, you can gain freedom of choice and lead a successful, contented life instead of a stressed and suffering one. How this can be achieved through the practice of mindfulness is her second secret and focus of this retreat.

Why this retreat?

What we learn

is the conscious design of one’s own life so that it succeeds in all areas.

What we discover

are the hidden structures in one’s own self that so often prevent this success.

What we take with us

are methods of mastering life and its difficulties.

Seminar schedule

The course begins with closing the door at home and ends with opening the door upon return.

The guided exercises and lectures during the seminar include the following topics:
What is the exercise for?
Meditation I Mindfulness I Inquiry I Effort
Synthesis of the individual exercise steps
Implementation of the exercise in everyday life
Deepening the exercises
Open frame
Unconventional exercises

Saturday June 15th. 2024

Arrival and getting to know each other for the first time
The course begins when you lock the apartment door.
6 p.m. dinner together and getting to know each other.
Presentation of the weekly structure

Sunday June 16, 2024 – Thursday June 20, 2024

Late morning
9:00 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Lectures and guided exercises
1:00 p.m. vegetarian lunch together

Afternoon
Time n.v. Lectures and guided exercises
6:00 p.m. Dinner

Depending on your needs and course progression, exercises are also offered before breakfast and after dinner.

Friday, June 21, 2024

from 8:00 a.m. breakfast
10:00 a.m. final round
1:00 p.m. Lunch
Afternoon for free design and integration
Dinner

Saturday June 22, 2024

Breakfast and departure
Topic: Recognizing the difference from the beginning.

Course management

Peter Riedl

Course language
German (translations on request)

Good to know

This course can be credited as part of the training to become a WISDOM teacher basic or mentor.

October 28, 2023May 30, 2024Retreat

WISDOM TRAINING

Immerse yourself in the enriching world of WISDOM training. This year-long journey takes you through five modules, including seminars in Greece and Vienna. Experience mindfulness, meditation, inquiry and effort in their essence. The training goes beyond simply imparting knowledge – it enables personal transformation and enables you to actively pass on what you have learned.

Difference from other forms of Buddhism

The difference to religious Buddhism lies primarily in the interpretation of individual teaching content, Buddhist terms and beliefs, such as the doctrine of dependent emergence, the definition of rebirth, enlightenment, ignorance and the methods of Buddhist mental training.

Difference from other methods of mental exercise, such as psychotherapy

WISDOM could be described as Buddhist therapy. However, the focus is not on analyzing personal problems, but rather on recognizing and overcoming them yourself without evaluating and judging them.

The WISDOM training is for you if you:

Already have experience in meditation, mindfulness or yoga.

Want to deepen and expand your understanding of a mindful life.

Want to pass on the WISDOM method.

Want to develop skills as a meditation and mindfulness teacher.

The training lasts 1 year and extends over five modules, which take place in a mix of face-to-face units in Vienna, online units and as self-study.

Module 1: The Secret of Mindfulness

7 days seminar in Greece June 15, 2024 – June 22, 2024

Personal feedback after the course

Module 2: Finding Inner Peace – The Essence of Mindfulness and Meditation

Module 3: Deeper Calm and Problem Solving

Module 4: Consciousness, Creativity and Leadership

Modules 2 – 4 each consist of 6 evening units on the main focus of the module with lectures, exercises, joint meditations and reflections on the exercises. The units take place online or in person in Vienna.

1 personal feedback at the end of each module

Module 5: Maturity, Overcoming Suffering and Enlightenment – Applying what you have learned

4 day seminar in Vienna June 2025

Finally, you will complete a specially created 60-minute unit with your course team.

Self-study

For each module, self-study is planned for integration into everyday life. Here, the teaching content made available on our Learn platform should be developed independently. We provide you with video lectures, concrete exercises and our WISDOM manual. These documents are included in the module price. As part of self-study, it is planned to form small groups over the course of the training in order to design courses for yourself and your team. We support these and provide space for them.

Course leader: Peter Riedl

Do you have any questions? You can reach the WISDOM team at b.behmer@uwgmbh.at.

Curriculum (subject to change)

The exact course of the training courses will be determined together with Peter Riedl. Inquiries for personal preliminary discussions with Peter Riedl at info@peterriedl.at.

WISDOM teacher Base
Duration: 1 year (5 modules and self-study)
Goal: Internalization of the WISDOM method, as well as the 4 levels of personal WISDOM practice and independent instruction of WISDOM courses

October 6, 2023April 11, 2024Retreat

BUDDHA & SIRTAKI

Mindfulness – Psychotherapy – Spirituality

Get to know the mindfulness center in the wild nature of Peli Kastri and develop future seminar projects together with other experts.

Why join?

Are you thinking about offering seminars/workshops/retreats in the perfect, wild and romantic area of Pelion, but the initial spark has been missing so far? Then this week Buddha & Sirtaki is just right for you.
This week is intended to serve as a melting pot for different approaches and ideas, to network experts, to broaden horizons and to serve as the perfect opportunity for networking.

Peli Kastri follows the vision of Peter and Elisabeth Riedl and combines wild nature and tranquil places that only exist in the absolutely untouristy area of southern Pelion.

Peli Kastri includes extensive terrain that offers a myriad of opportunities for seminars and retreats.
A place to relax and take a vacation.

A place for self-awareness and introspection.

A place for physical and mental healing.

A place as beautiful as nature itself.

Daily schedule (subject to change! The exact schedule will be discussed with the participants on site.)

Sunday, May 26th – 5 p.m.: “Come Together” in Julia’s authentic tavern – it is located directly on the secluded beach of Kastri, 50m away from Guesthouse Peli Kastri

The offer from May 27th to May 31st, 2024

includes

Morning sessions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m

A Buddhist exercise path to insight and clarity. Peter Ried (the founder of Peli Kastri) teaches the exercises of meditation and mindfulness, as originally taught by Buddha, in a contemporary form.

and

Afternoon sessions from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., designed by Anna Mauer and Michael Haid

In workshops, discussions and working groups, you will get to know this seminar location and have the opportunity to talk and exchange ideas with colleagues. The aim is also to get to know different directions in a relaxed atmosphere and perhaps develop new, exciting projects and visions together – with the opportunity to present them too. We will also hike along paths and paths to other bathing bays – and whatever else we can think of.

There will also be many opportunities to get to know the area and each other, exchange ideas, go on excursions or simply unwind.

Line

Anna Maurer, Peter Riedl and Michael Haid

Course language

German, with English translation on request

Extension option:

From June 2nd, the seminar “Mindful Hiking – Paths and Bookings on South Pelion” by Michael Haid will take place.

October 6, 2023April 11, 2024Retreat

PRACTICE PATH WISDOM

WISDOM serves as a method and exercise to make your own life a success.

For whom?

For all people who want to follow a non-esoteric and non-faith-based practice path and workshops or seminars based on this

Goals of the method:

Depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise, the following goals can be achieved:

Come to rest

solve problems

Develop leadership skills

Ripen and grow

Be free

Difference from other forms of Buddhism

Difference from other methods of mental exercise, such as psychotherapy

WISDOM could be described as Buddhist therapy. However, the focus is not on analyzing personal problems, but rather on recognizing and overcoming them yourself without evaluating and judging them.

The aim of the WISDOM method is to learn to deal better with the difficulties of everyday life

The course itself is designed individually and therefore does not run in the traditional way with set course and free time, but rather mindfulness is practiced in and for life, so that this can be achieved even after the joint practice in everyday life.

The course pace and content are determined by the participants

Course management
Peter Riedl

Course language
German, with English translation upon request

October 6, 2023July 26, 2024Retreat

MINDFUL HIKING

Every experience and being happens in the here and now, in the present. If we are not present, we remain trapped in a construct that we unconsciously form from an imagined past and a hoped-for or feared future.

The result is confusion, problems, fears and stress.
In a conscious moment of presence, these things dissolve and what remains is “I am” connected to everything and everyone.

Connected over the mystery of life.
We’ll try this secret a bit this week
to understand.

More clarity, improved relationships, less fear and stress, more intense experiences and getting closer to the meaning of your life – these could be your goals for this week.

I support you by instructing simple exercises, answering any questions you may have and opening up space for encounters.

Why this retreat?

Better understand what is happening around us: We sharpen our senses, both for external impressions and for our internal sensations and diffuse thoughts.

Recognize our own thoughts and feelings: We learn to consciously perceive, observe and name our own thoughts and emotions in order to create self-awareness.

Questioning previous thought patterns and habits: Through this conscious observation we discover the beliefs and habits that have influenced our lives so far.

Discovering needs and desires: We explore what lies behind our daily chaos of thoughts.

Creating distance from limiting self-images: We learn to distance ourselves from self-identifications that may limit us.

Getting to know your inner guidance and longing: We become familiar with our inner guidance and our deep desires, which can show us the way to an authentic life.

Mindfulness in movement: Under the guidance of the experienced therapist Michael Haid, you will learn mindfulness in movement. Hiking becomes a meditative experience.

And at the same time you will experience the breathtaking landscape of Pelion, on hikes through lush, fragrant forests and explore largely untouched nature. Ideal for self-knowledge and reflection.

Day 1 – Arrival and getting to know each other for the first time

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Presentation of the week, equipment discussion, questions/answers

Day 2 – Monday

Easy hike and exercises
Time to bathe

Day 3 – 5 Tuesday – Thursday

06.00 Sunrise Sitting (optional)
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mindful hiking, exercises and reflection.

Also included: beach and swimming

7:00 p.m. – Dinner

Day 6 Friday

06.00 sunrise sitting together (optional)

Morning: “Going out”

Afternoon: reflection in the group and conclusion

6.30 p.m. – Open end, farewell, final dinner and relaxed evening

Day 7 Saturday

Departure or further stay

Good to know:

Immediately afterwards, the workshop “GROWTH WITH BEHERZT” starts with Anna Maurer and Michael Haid.

Course language
German (translation on request)

August 12, 2023April 11, 2024Retreat

GROW COURAGEOUSLY

This workshop, developed by Anna Maurer, is about how you can realize yourself and grow in contact with other people.

What gives us meaning in life and what values provide us with orientation to enable us to live out our personal talents responsibly. In this retreat we use the olive trees that surround us as an analogy for life itself. Because, like a tree, it is important to accept and take our roots, our past and our current being with us.

Acknowledging our life experiences helps us discover gifts and resources. With this clarity you can plan your next steps and “courageously” shape your authentic life.

Why this retreat?

If we see everything we have experienced and learned so far as meaningful for our lives and have the courage to develop trust in our inner source of strength, we will discover still dormant potential that needs to be realized. This workshop helps to recognize where we are not yet using this power and what life still has in store for us to live it courageously.

Course management

Anna Maurer and Michael Haid

Course language

German (translations on request)