“bhūmir-āpo’nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir-eva ca | ahaṅkāra itīyaṁ me bhinnā prakṛtir-aṣṭadhā || 4 ||

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and the ego; make up the eight parts of My material nature.” Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 7 Verse 4

This retreat will focus on the “Five Elements” as taught by Paramahamsa Vishwananda, offering a comprehensive exploration of each of the five elements: air, fire, earth, water and ether and more through a variety of engaging activities.

Each day, we will immerse ourselves in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Olympos – Antalya region in southern Turkey, connecting deeply with one of the five elements. At each carefully chosen location, the essence of that natural element will guide you in exploring a profound understanding of both material and spiritual reality. The Turkish Sangha has meticulously selected key sites within the spectacular Antalya region to enrich our experience, fostering a deeper connection with the elements through practice and helping us reconnect with the timeless wisdom of our souls.

Under the guidance of Swami Keshava, we will engage in specific daily meditation exercises designed to align with the theme of each element.

These exercises aim to activate and harmonize the elements within us, empowering us to realize our full potential as human beings.

In ancient Vedic philosophy matter is considered part of God’s energy, known as prakriti. Prakriti is divided into eight forms. This is what Lord Krishna explained to Arjuna 5000 years ago in the Bhagavad Gita. Just one material energy extends itself into meridians, shapes, forms, names, and entities from this world and universe.

When there is an imbalance within our body in any of these elements, one doesn’t reach their full potential as a human being. Most illnesses arise from such imbalances. When these elements are in harmony and balance, it leads to abundance, beauty, grace, and wellbeing for oneself and others.

The inspiration to visit this unique region in southern Turkey came from Guruji, Paramahamsa Vishwananda, who encouraged the Turkish Sangha to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Nicholas in Demre. From this initial idea, the concept of holding a Five Elements Retreat in this historically rich area was born.

The region of Olympos is steeped in history, having been home to ancient civilizations including the Romans and Greeks. It also boasts the ancient city of Myra, renowned as the residence of the fourth-century saint and wonderworker, St. Nicholas. His legendary acts of secret gift-giving inspired the folklore of Santa Claus. Guruji often speaks of St. Nicholas as one of his favorite saints.

As a special highlight of our retreat, we will embark on a one-day excursion to trace the footsteps of this extraordinary saint. The journey will include visits to his tomb in Demre, the remains of the ancient city of Myra, and the historic St. Nicholas Church.

This region not only carries immense spiritual history but also powerful natural energy, embodied in the eternal flames of the Chimera above Çıralı. High in the mountains of ancient Anatolia, the mythical Chimera is said to have breathed fire from these very rocks. Known since ancient times and woven into myths recorded by Homer, these mysterious fires have burned continuously for millennia, giving rise to the legend of the fire-breathing Chimera defeated by Bellerophon on his winged horse, Pegasus. Few places on earth offer such a rare and powerful reminder of nature’s elemental force, and standing before these eternal flames, one tangibly feels the presence of transformation, power, and the divine.

The places we will visit during this retreat are:

Air Day: Olympos Antique City/ Ceneviz Castle

Fire Day: Cirali/ Chimera (Yanartas)

Earth Day: Kocain Cave

Water Day: Adrasan Boat tour to Suluada (Watery Island – Turkish Maldives)

Excursion day: Saint Nicholas Church – Tomb of Saint Nicholas and Myra Antique City (where he lived); Boat tour from Ucagiz to Kekova/ Kalekoy