Liberating the Writer Within

Well, the summer sun has well and truly arrived at Kalikalos, and the beautiful mount Pelion, and so did a group of aspiring writers.

Our workshop leader, Steve Nobel, guided us through a set of exercises designed to liberate the writer within, and to tune into what is really going on inside each one of us. We learned how to make the inner critic our new best friend and how to tune into our subconsciousness and use whatever was coming up as a source of inspiration and original material. I was amazed at what we produced, things you didn't know were there would arise onto the surface to be looked at, and then let go.

We also took the opportunity to hop into 'our' little red Micra and travel to the nearby villages, sitting in the local cafes with our notebooks whilst learning how to really express from within. Each one of us brought a different perspective and a unique voice and style, all learning from each other.

The workshop was much more than just writing - much magic and healing was created not just for ourselves but I'd like to think also for the collective. It was an incredible priviledge to get to know such an amazing and diverse group of people whose different backgrounds and stories weaved together creating a ripple in time. The cool blue water of the Adriatic soothed and grounded us in the afternoons and our laughter continued well into the night.

I truly miss our time together and will look back at this workshop as a culmination of a long journey and the start of a new one. And I was surprised by the bond this work created between us - the resonance from our work together will carry us all on our way home.

Much love and gratitude to everyone who made it possible.

In the homegrounds of Chiron, June 2012, Kati Medini Sivula.

Making Decisions the Community Way

The majority of the decisions made here at Kalikalos are decided by the community, which is always changing. There is conflict, processing and resolution on a weekly basis. So, what happens when the community needs to make a decision that has affects on the greater community?

A returning staff member from last year, Jacinta from Ireland, arrived a few days ago. She saw that we had three adorable baby ducks. Jacinta inquired as to what happened to the ducks that were here when she was staying at Kalikalos last September. In fact a local farmer—past Kalikalos staff and guests will remember him as "Spiros the Greek God"—provided them with a good home for the winter.

Community members chatting

This season's cute baby ducks are still small and fluffy. One day last week, when most of the staff was at the beach, some local boys came and took them out of there cages and kicked them. Ivor from Oxford was here napping and heard the ducks squacking and stopped the boys. These are kids we allowed to play on our hammocks daily. To see them hurt our ducks, was really shocking to all of us.

Now as a group we needed to make a community decision, do we ban the boys for a short period, indefinetly, or do we talk to their parents. As it happens, these kids are Albanian and as such are already outsiders in this small Greek village.  We didn't want to isolate the boys more, yet we also want to feel that our ducks are safe.

One of the benefits of living in community is one has the intelligence of the group to consult. Some want to be very firm with the boys, others want to address the issue with love and without assumptions about the boys and their backgrounds. We've hesitated to approach the parents because some of us are afraid that the kids will get a beating.

We felt like it was a fairly delicate issue, yet needed to be dealt with.  If the boys are cruel to ducks, have they experienced this themselves or are they just rough boys? Do we talk to them, will it help? Would it be positive to talk to their parents? We specalated, we contemplated, we discussed.

We haven't settled on a decision yet. We want to protect the ducks.  At the same time we'd like to provide a place for these kids to play.

Everyday we make choices that affect each other within the Kalikalos community, now we have a choice to make which has consequences that touch others.

What would you do in this situation?

Karrie K, Iowa USA

A Follow up on Sacred Economics

We have all ages here and many cultures represented, various viewpoints and life experiences. Before starting the spring work camp a newsletter titled Sacred Economics was sent out from Kalikalos.  Just the name itself is wonderful; it would be a very intriguing University class.  In fact, a very important class for this planet right now!

The article that Jock (founder of Kalikalos) sent out on Sacred Economics was about the degradation of our financial system and how important creating authentic communities like Kalikalos are in the ‘new’ economy.

On Mondays we have a special discussion circle, on a topic of interest to a group member. One member leads the discussion, she wants to live more in a barter community where the exchange is without money. Or even further she would like a place where there is no exchange, and freedom from that structure. Many people had various opinions and also many of us see that we need to be a part of the world and the money system that exists.

The term Sacred Economics is interpreted differently by everyone.

Here is another viewpoint of Sacred Economics: That every person does what they love, follows their passion and in the service of their best selves and the greater world.   Sometimes there are tasks that need to be done that we don’t much enjoy. Our job in those cases is to find ways to make the job more bearable, perhaps even enjoyable.   At Kalikalos this is what we try to do. We look at what work needs to be done and we see who can and wants to do what. If there are jobs that no one volunteers for, we find a way to get the job done together.  There is no ‘work’ at Kalikalos in the way that work is often viewed in the world—toil and dislike. We work hard much of the day here, but through-out the work is joy. The joy of being in such a beautiful setting, the laughter of the people we labor with and the sense of purpose we all receive from what we do to wake up Kalikalos from its winter slumber.  This is good work.

It is possible that when everyone does more of what they love and are valued for what they do, that this is the core of sacred economics. There must be some appreciation for the monetary system, if we chose to participate in the world.  At the moment we need money to buy our food, to purchase the hardware and tools we need to get the centre in working order. We also may want money to have some fun.  This is the system we have now. We can work to change what is corrupt, but perhaps embracing money as a neutral energy would take away some of the stress around money away. The term ‘put your money where your mouth is’ means a lot. Money itself is not evil. What we chose to do with money is what is important and in fact sacred. At Kalikalos, we discuss how we can spend money locally and how we can most ethically allocate our money within our budget. In a sense this is 'sacred spending'. We select how we spend our time, energy, money and lives. Money, like all we 'spend', can be part of our spiritual path.

May each of you find fulfilling work in your days. Perhaps Kalikalos is a place for you, to volunteer or take a workshop.  Each week we practice ‘Karma Yoga’.  What if we apply the principles of yoga, such as unity and flexible with discipline to economics? 

Kalikalos is located in Greece, anyone aware of the news right now knows the struggle Greece is going through financially. From this village and surrounding area what hasn’t changed is the absolute generosity of many of the Greek people.  If the law of attraction applies, ‘like attracts like.’  It is comforting to see that the fear of what is to come hasn’t crushed this pure generosity.  


This is what I observe through the economic chaos: there are still many gifts that many of us, foreigners, have received from Greece and the Greek people.  We have received from shop owners spontaneous gifts of honey with nuts in heart shaped jars, bottles of homemade wine, free drinks on the house, basil seedlings, and more.  Not to mention the warmth of smiles and conversation and helpful directions when lost. May this generosity of spirit prevail and return to Greece the energy of generosity. 


Tell us what Sacred Economics means to you.  Please leave your comments below!


Karrie K, Iowa, USA

Kalikalos Spring workcamp Day 2

Here we are 11 folk from 7 countries, gathered together to get the Kalikalos Centre ready for its 9th season of workshops, retreats and seminars. We’ve all come here for different reasons; or perhaps the same, really.

This year the theme so far seems to be the year of transit—passage to somewhere, place unknown. We have quite a few people who are feeling ‘homeless.’ They are changing jobs, partners, locations and contemplating what’s next for them. So, the theme emerges.

Julia from Berlin came here with 18 month Sonja to seek a life where she could work, learn how to build a yurt and have support with Sonja. Vicar Geoff, 66 years old, is in the process of retiring from a life as a minster. He’s not sure what’s next. But he brings good cheer and his face lights up when he talks about the garden and when he’s digging in the soil.

Sophia is in transition, parting from her marriage and starting a new adventure—her path is unclear just now. With her background being French, Egyptian, Armenian and Greek, Sophia is our storyteller, her beautiful French accent telling us about her past, the history of Greece and so much more. 

Each person has a beautiful role. Ting from Taiwan sometimes doens't feel like she contributes anything, yet to the rest of us she is the one who sees what needs to be done, and quietly lends a hand, cleaning, cooking and picking up the loose ends, an invaluable role.

Tonight as we finished dinner Florian, from Toulouse, played the guitar and sang softly, music drifting gracefully under this lovely Greek sky high in the mountains. Florian is our musician and leader on hikes to the waterfall and around the Pelion. Meanwhile, we are enchanted as Sonja danced to his music, her movements in perfect harmony to the beat. This reminded us that a lot of things babies know naturally and we are trying to relearn!

Gary is from South Africa, soon to turn fifty, and thinking he might be ready to settle down after a lifetime of wandering and searching. He’s here for the month of May to work, and through that he discovers things about himself. Gary's engaging in the natural self-awareness that happens inevitably when one is consciously in community. At our first meeting he spoke about how we see ourselves mirrored in those around us. Just by the act of being together, we learn. Our irritations are our teachers he says and he’s here to learn!

Johnny from Wyoming gets so excited by the new people he’s just meant and already loves, he’s spent these first two days jumping in excitement.

At least three people looking for a new home, a feel of permanence, a sense of place. We all came here because we wanted more, more self possession, awareness and more connection.

The second day in and most of us may not be able to exactly articulate what we want. We are here to trust the process. We are dedicated to trusting that the result will be what we need, even if we don’t yet know what it is.

Today at the sea the water was all embracing. We look for community to surround us like the sea. The sea which teaches us by just being what it is; we all came here to be who we are, yet surrounded by others. We look for the community to surround us like the sea, to teach us, to show us our resistance, our beauty, our shadow, to support us and heal us.

We come with our own issues, concerns, questions and longings. But deep down we will leave transformed. How will that look and feel? It’s only the second day—give us some time. The community changes us, we can already feel it or maybe it brings out more of who we are already, both shadow and light. Kalikalos brings this to us, this transformation, and tons of natural beauty along with it.

A sunrise and sunset overlooking the sea, sure we’ve got it. Lush tree covered mountains, a waterfall, a natural spring. It’s here and we are here blessed to be a part of such a wonderful project. We'll look forward to letting you know how it all unfolds.

Karrie K, Iowa, USA

To Euro or not to Euro, a Greek Tragedy or leading solution?

Sunday before last the Greeks went to the polls, with the deeply unpopular and largely counterproductive austerity measures having a dramatic effect on the country's economy and social infrastructure.  As it happened, the election passed peacefully and the result was a spread vote with no clear winners. Exactly what this means for Greece vis-a-vis the EU and the Euro remains to be seen. One thing has become increasingly clear, however; namely that the problems of mounting debt and deficit financing are not unique to Greece. Greece is the canary in the mine and what happens here is certain to have ramifications throughout Europe.

A Greek Solution

Kalikalos opened its ninth season one week ago, and we see the signs of austerity around us in the form of closed shops, increased prices and a decline in social services. At the same time, especially in our area (Volos city and surroundings) innovation and entrepreneurial spirit are growing.  Greece is an abundant country, there is food in the shops and a will in the people to move through and beyond the debt crisis. Our local town of Volos has become the Centre of a return to a barter system with the rebirth of a local currency. Volos has established a twice weekly street market selling food, produce services through its local currency.  This currency does not replace the Euro, but as the local people have less Euros in their pocket it provides an alternative system to meet some of the everyday needs of life.  This development made BBC news this week (below).

At Kalikalos we want to do whatever we can to take part and support these local initiatives. They represent in large part a return to true community and mutual aid, something which our multinational corporate model has largely destroyed by monetising nearly every human need. We hope that our work here building true community is a resource we can share with the local people. You too can help by considering making Greece your holiday destination this year. Your presence would be a small, but significant, action to support Greece, an action that goes beyond the currency that you bring.  By coming here you demonstrate a trust and faith in the strength and stability of Greece and its people.

Be part of the solution make a difference while on holiday see the Kalikalo 2012 Programme or if you are looking for an affordable alternative holiday come stay as a guest.

Affordable Alternative Holiday

visit as a Living

Damouhari beach, of the many gorgeous beaches near Kalikalos.... on Twitpic

Damouhari beach, of the many gorgeous beaches near Kalikalos.... on Twitpic

My six weeks at Kalikalos

The keys to Liberation are universal and essentially simple: disengage from all the stories you’ve been telling yourself about life and who you are or should be as you negotiate your way through, and all at once you know yourself as divine, all-powerful, unstoppable and magnificent, as any divine, all-powerful, unstoppable being would. ('Fuck It –The Ultimate Spiritual Way’ by John C.Parkin)


It’s my sixth and final week here at the end of the season. The Centre coordinator, Jock Millenson, wanted a post on the blog so I’m giving it a go, starting with the above from the funniest book that came my way! 

Over the last few days I have been reflecting on my time here and how my life has changed. Some people share their stories openly; others adopt a more reserved approach, which suits me. I decided to leave my old life behind and it has been good not to talk too much about the past but focus on the present and take each day as it comes. Not knowing anyone here was good as the fifty or so people I’ve met over the weeks have just known me as Gerry from England who is taking time out and travelling for a while. People don’t ask you more than you want to share, which suits me as I only share on a deep level with friends I’ve known for a long time. 

I saw Kalikalos advertised in Resurgence magazine at a friend’s house in Cornwall in January, looked at the website, thought it seemed interesting and saved it on travel bookmarks. Over the next few months, glancing at it occasionally, I subscribed to the newsletter, deciding in July to visit and see what it was like. The website looked a bit outdated but it appeared an interesting, affordable place to stay so I went for it! 


Kalikalos is near the village of Kissos in the Pilion region of Greece, up in the mountains, a retreat centre in a beautiful location, catering for up to 20+ guests at a time.

The venue is an old fashioned hotel with rooms in the main house and tents on a terraced slope with a couple of temporary structures for meeting spaces. I have a lovely little room with white walls, wickerwork stool, shutter windows with mosquito net up, a recycled jar with flowers, a little table ideal for my laptop and bathroom and toilet next door.


From my window every morning I see a beautiful sunrise over the sea in the distance. For the first week I was a community guest and then full time staff and helped in running the place for a week when Jock took a holiday in Istanbul.

It has been a hectic time, lots of fun and I met so many lovely people from all walks of life, some, mainly staff, I made good connections with as they stayed for a few weeks. There are three red slightly battered Micra cars for trips to local beaches, Plaka and Papa Nero at Agios. Ioannis, the main resort twenty minutes away reached down steep, mountainous winding roads.



I walked down to the beach a few times along cobbled mule track paths and got a lift back as walking in the hot sun is a bit too much! The resort has beachfront cafes, tavernas, a few supermarkets and tourist shops selling pottery, preserved fruits and honey. Memories are blue chairs, white tablecloths, a few trees, umbrellas and sunbeds, tourists, mainly Greek and German and little package tour commercial development, which is great. For the first few days there were huge surf waves, but over the next weeks it was like getting into a warm bath!

On free days/afternoons, I went on trips around the region and coast with other staff and P., a yoga teacher living in London. P's parents are Greek Cypriot, and she speaks fluent Greek so it was easy as not everyone speaks English!  Had lots of adventures down dirt tracks and rough roads to beaches with stunning views and scenery of houses and trees dotted around the mountains. Visiting stunningly beautiful picture postcard beaches at Milopotamos, Ag. Saranta and Damouchari, where Mama Mia was filmed, with a picturesque harbour surrounded by tavernas. Another highlight in the region is the cool shaded square or ‘Platia’ at Tsangarada, with an old church, springs, fountains and a massive 800-year-old plane tree.

At Kalikalos there are rotas for everything, organising or ‘focalising” meetings, washing up, cooking, gardening, cleaning etc and I’ve never hung up so much washing in my life! 

On Saturday mornings after new people arrive there’s a community meeting in the Roundhouse, where everyone introduces themselves and says a little bit about who they are and why they are here and can say as much or as little as you want to share. It’s a meeting space with flowers, candles, stones, a Buddha, and a ‘talking’ stick you hold to speak. In these circles, developed from Native American traditions, everyone holds hands, takes a few minutes for an ‘attunement’, and then the stick goes round with each person saying how they are feeling in the moment. 


The focus is talking into the middle and rather than saying” You piss me off’, for example we learn to say ‘I’ feel angry, upset, sad, happy because of…' With this process you really listen to what each person is saying and if you are being criticised or praised you have time to think about it rather than feeling you are on the spot and have to respond immediately, which is what we are used to doing. I experienced it as a simple but extremely powerful way of each person speaking and everyone else listening. You never really know what is going on in someone else’s mind, so having a space and really listening to your own or other people’s thoughts or feelings lets you know what the energy of the day is bringing. I felt a huge acceptance of my own and each other’s strengths and weaknesses. 


My routine at Kalikalos was getting up as the sun rises at 7am, having a coffee on my own in my favourite place and enjoy a peaceful, quiet start to the day before breakfast at 8.30. Food is wonderful, lots of, figs, grapes, bananas, nectarines, peaches, Greek yoghurt, wholemeal bread, honey, Greek salads, with staff and guests cooking an amazing variety of vegetarian food from different countries in the evening. At 9.30 every morning there’s a Staff meeting in the yurt, another meeting place where we start with an attunement—togetherness, candle lit, pinecone, stones and the "talking” stick. On Tuesday nights, no cooking and washing up, as we go out as a group to one of the local tavernas with wild or tame nights depending on who’s around!



I felt welcomed by everyone on arriving at Kalikalos and have met so many people from all over the world, seeing them come and go with some (who know who they are) being very special to me. It’s good meeting new people, although at times exhausting, with some very healthy ones as well as a few renegades. Iced coffee or mountain tea is available, red and white wines are palatable, beers reasonable and ‘Tsipiro,’ a stronger spirit, made from distilled grape residue is a popular local drink of choice for many old men.



I’ve had so many amazing days its hard writing about them all. Some highlights are taking supplies to Ag. Saranta beach, watching the sun go down and full moon rising, open fires, laughter, music and barbecues, old hippy style! Amrita playing accordion, Fabien, with endless patience and good humour, teaching simple dance steps and L, a French woman singing haunting Edith Piaf songs. 

Going to a beach taverna at Chorefto with P, O, and J and sampling fish, spinach pie and baked aubergine specialities. Exploring the peninsula, stopping at Paradiso beach, walking up amongst olive groves, watching a spectacular sunset and then going on to a small taverna at Argolasti town with traditional Greek musicians and dancing. 


Local people and village characters are etched in my memory and some recorded on camera. Days off, getting up to watch bands of red in the sky with the sun rising over the sea and for the first time really listening to the sounds of cocks crowing, dogs barking and bells ringing with early morning light on grape vines, fig trees and old feta tin cans overflowing with geraniums and colourful flowers. Workers, women and children are up by 6.30 in the cool mornings. Really noticing the ‘Platia’, fountain, imposing 17th century church and few old, charming character shops in Kissos, a basic general grocers, butchers, bakers, woodworking workshop, a few hotels, guesthouses and sprinkling of tavernas.


Out from Kalilkalos to the right is a long road, path and tracks that pass traditionally built stone houses with heavy slate tiled roofs common in the region and leads into the mountains. Mist over the mountains, sun breaking through, and a small Greek reservoir plant with water coming down from the hills. Reflections of chestnut trees in the water an old truck parked by the wayside. 

Walking further along are abundant apple orchards and chestnut forests with old crates stacked up for the apple-picking season starting soon. After taking a photo of a woman picking apples she gave me 2 huge red ones and a bunch of grapes. I stuffed my pockets with picked up chestnuts from the ground. Sun out; found a plastic chair in the middle of nowhere when I needed to rest and sit down. Peace and quiet only the sound of a chainsaw in the distance.


Kalikalos has a library of books to loan and lounging in the sun, slowly read ‘Fuck It –The Ultimate Spiritual Way’. Parkin says,


 "Fuck it is the perfect western expression of the eastern spiritual ideas of letting go, giving up and relaxing our hold on things."


It has come in handy when I needed a break from here and just said to myself 'Fuck it’, I've done enough work -and walked down to the village and sat an had an iced coffee. I have become more adept at doing what I want on a daily basis. Days when I feel like being sociable and others when I go off on my own. I have largely stopped feeling responsible for other people, only taking responsibility for myself.

I have over 500 photographs of the area; it’s beauty, people and my memories. At Kalikalos you have to work hard for yourself and others to get things done on time.



At the beginning of each week there’s often chaos as a new group comes together but as the days progress everyone shows more of their personality, make up and who they are. People visiting here from Findhorn say ‘Work is Love in Action’ and there is masses of work to be done, but also time to play, have fun and laughter. At the end of the day at Kalikalos as in other places, countries, or communities, everyone who is here is creating the energy and spirit of each day. The workcamp closing up the place for the Winter is nearly finished, with a great mixed team of staff with multiple skills from Germany, Switzerland, England and America who have come together, getting the place in shape for next year.

It’s definitely not 5 star luxury, but if you are happy with a slightly ramshackle environment teaming with character, creativity, natural beauty of the landscape, blue skies, seas and majestic mountains and want to learn about yourself, what makes you tick, and live and work with other people in a beautiful area of Greece then I would highly recommend it!!! I will soon forget the work done here, but remember the people and personalities I’ve met.

What will stay with me is so eloquently put by Parkin

‘When you say ‘Fuck It’ you give in to the flow of life-you stop doing what you don’t want to do, you finally do what you’ve always wanted to do, and stop listening to people and listen to yourself’.' 

Thanks John Parkin, for writing a wonderfully funny book I needed to read, Jock for being himself and everyone I met who made me laugh or cry, sometimes at the same time! 

There’s also Wi-Fi here, which enabled me to keep in touch with friends and family on my travels. I know I am very lucky! That’s all for now. 


                          Gerry A, New Zealand   x

Other photos, when I have time (!) will be on my website:  www.gerryatkinson.com.