Course Details
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Day 1: Arrival
The Kashmiri Shaivism Workshop and Retreat is a fully residential program, offering you 11 days of deep spiritual immersion in a serene resort on the southern coast of Crete, Greece. Surrounded by breathtaking nature, you will share this transformative journey with like-minded peers and dedicated teachers.
To ensure a smooth arrival, we provide complimentary chartered bus transport from Heraklion, the capital of Crete, directly to the retreat venue and back.
Day 1 (5 May 2027) Arrival Schedule:
16:00 Group pick-up at Heraklion Airport
16:20 Group pick-up at Heraklion city center
18:00 Approximate arrival at the venue & check-in
19:00 Welcome dinner
20:00 Course introduction
22:00 Conclusion & restFrom the moment you arrive, you will step into an environment designed for profound learning, spiritual growth, and inner transformation.
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Days 2 to 6: The Workshop
The Kashmiri Shaivism Workshop follows a carefully structured schedule, blending deep theoretical teachings with practical application. Each day is designed to elevate your understanding and inner experience, creating a seamless flow of learning, reflection, and spiritual practice.
Days 2 to 6: The Workshop (6-10 May 2027)
Workshop Daily Rhythm:
08:00 Meditation & Yoga
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Teaching Session 1
14:00 Lunch & rest
16:30 Teaching Session 2
19:00 Satsang (spiritual Q&A and reflections)
20:00 Dinner & restThis immersive structure ensures a balanced integration of knowledge, self-exploration, and profound inner transformation.
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Days 7 to 10: The Silent Retreat
The Kashmiri Shaivism Silent Retreat is designed for deep internalization and direct experience of the teachings. With extended meditation sessions and a sacred atmosphere of silence, you will refine your awareness and immerse yourself in higher states of consciousness.
Days 7 to 10: The Silent Retreat (11-14 May 2027)
Retreat Daily Rhythm:
06:30 Wake-up gong
07:00 Meditation & Yoga
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Meditation & Practice Session 1
14:00 Lunch & rest
16:30 Meditation & Practice Session 2
19:00 Q&A (questions submitted in writing to preserve sacred silence)
20:00 Dinner & rest
22:00 Lights out & night gongThis structured yet serene rhythm fosters deep contemplation, allowing the wisdom of Kashmiri Shaivism to awaken within.
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Day 11: Conclusion
The final day is dedicated to reflection, integration, and bringing clarity to your profound journey. You will consolidate your insights and prepare to transition back into daily life with a newfound depth of awareness.
Day 11: Last Day (15 May 2027)
Last Day’s Schedule:
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Final retreat session & reflections
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Bus departure to Heraklion
17:00 Arrival in Heraklion (airport & city center drop-off)To ensure a smooth departure, we advise booking flights no earlier than 19:00 on 15 May. Additionally, we encourage staying in Crete for a few extra days to fully absorb and integrate the transformative teachings of Kashmiri Shaivism.
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Application Process
To ensure a balanced and harmonious group dynamic, participation in all our courses is by application only. The application process consists of the following steps:
- Step 1: Registration and Payment
Complete your course registration and payment. - Step 2: Submit the Online Application Form
Fill out and submit the online Application Form provided in your purchase confirmation email. - Step 3: Audio Call and Final Decision
Once we receive your Application Form, new students will be required to schedule a 10-minute audio call with one of our head teachers. Following this step, a final decision regarding your participation will be made.
You will receive a decision within three working days after completing the application process. If your application is not accepted, your payment will be fully refunded.
- Step 1: Registration and Payment
Travel Planning to Heraklion, Crete
This retreat is held at a serene coastal venue overlooking the Libyan Sea, about a 1-hour drive from Heraklion, the largest city in Crete. You will fly into Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis Airport), and on the day the course begins, we will arrange transportation to take you to the Levinthos Retreat Centre in Lentas, on the southern coast of Crete.
For a smooth travel experience, we recommend arriving in Heraklion at least one day before the course starts. This way, should there be any travel delays, you can still join the group transfer to the venue without issue.
If you arrive early, we suggest booking a hotel in Heraklion. There are numerous accommodation options across various price ranges. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center typically costs around 15€ (16 USD).
Heraklion is a safe and welcoming city. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, though it’s worth carrying some cash for smaller shops, tavernas, and the village of Lentas itself.
Please note that depending on your nationality, a Schengen visa may be required to enter Greece and the European Union. Be sure to verify visa requirements before planning your travel.
Venue
Levinthos and Filoxenia Retreat Center
Lentas, Crete Island, GreeceThis retreat takes place in Levinthos and Filoxenia retreat centres located close to Lentas coastal village on the south coast of Crete island, 75 km from Heraklion. This is a very picturesque spot with panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea and is perfect for our teachings and spiritual practices.
The two guesthouses feature a selection of rooms with stunning views from many. You will be placed in shared accommodation with two to four people per room. Each room has its own en suite bathroom. Accommodation will be allocated in the order of your sign-up date with higher quality rooms given to earlier registrants.
There is a beautiful private beach as part of the property and delicious Cretan vegetarian meals are served three times daily. A true paradise!
Teachers
Somananda
Founder and Head Teacher
Somananda is a spiritual yogi, teacher, and author who founded the Somananda Tantra School — an international organization dedicated to authentic spiritual development through the ancient science of Tantra.
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Dharmananda
Senior Teacher
With a quiet demeanor and profound spiritual insight, senior teacher Dharmananda translates a lifetime of dedicated practice into transformative teachings on Tantra Yoga, metaphysics, and higher consciousness for seekers across the globe.
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Shiva
Teacher
Shiva offers students a clear and relatable path to spiritual understanding, using his personal insights to show how ancient teachings can bring purpose and happiness to modern life.
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Teachers shown on this page may change due to unforeseen circumstances, and each may teach in various capacities. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding the teaching team dynamics.
Tickets
Course Fee Inclusions:
The course fee covers all teachings and materials, a comprehensive course booklet, 10 nights of shared accommodation (2–4 participants per room), three nourishing meals per day, and group transportation between Heraklion and the course venue (round trip).
Not Included in the Course Fee:
Participants are responsible for arranging their flights to Crete, Greece, as well as personal supplies required for the course, such as a yoga mat and a small blanket. A detailed packing list will be provided before the course.
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Before booking, please carefully review our Terms of Service and Liability Waiver. By making a payment, you confirm your full acceptance of our cancellation and refund policies, along with all other terms outlined in these documents.
