RETREAT: Open the Heart & Still the Mind: Return Home to the Joyful Heart (Volos, Greece)
24 June, 2025 - 29 June, 2025
This life-changing 5 night Open the Heart & Still the Mind Compassion Retreat takes place at the exquisite venue and tranquil beauty of Pelion Homes, Volos in Greece (Athens to Volos is 320km and Thessaloniki to Volos is 142kms) and is facilitated by two experienced South African psychologists and psychotherapists, Sue Cooper and Nicole Economou. It offers a unique and powerfully transformational opportunity to pause, replenish and reconnect compassionately with our authentic selves in a safe and deeply nurturing environment.
We will cultivate mindfulness and compassion practices which calm and integrate body, heart and mind. Developed by Sue Cooper over a period of nearly two decades, Open the Heart and Still the Mind is inspired by the wisdom teachings of the Dharma and an integration of Buddhist and Western, psychoanalytic psychology, as well as somatic traditions. Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, you’ll find the nourishing Noble Silence a powerful container for self-discovery, healing, and inner peace.
As we learn to listen deeply with kindness and self-compassion, we will find solace in silence with a like-minded sangha (community). Through the containment provided by our shared silence we will discover our heartfelt, joyful presence as we savour the delicious offerings of Greece, including beach and forest days in silence.
Meet the Facilitators
Sue Cooper is a Clinical Psychologist and psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist with 35 years of experience in private practice in Cape Town. Her journey with meditation began more than 40 years ago, and it has profoundly shaped her approach to self-discovery and inner healing. Sue has had the privilege of attending Buddhist meditation retreats, mainly in the Theravada tradition, in South Africa, the UK and the US since 1984. The teachings of Ajahn Chah of the Thai Forest Tradition, along with the guidance of her primary teachers, Kittisaro and Thanissara, Ajahn Sucitto and Stephen and Martine Batchelor, continue to inspire and inform her work.
In 2010, Sue created the Open the Heart and Still the Mind courses and retreats, blending Buddhist meditation and psychotherapy. Her approach focuses on embracing our humanness and integrating love and loss into our lives so we can live—and die—with compassionate awareness. Sue has facilitated retreats in diverse settings, including university and corporate environments, as well as Buddhist centres
Nicole Economou lives in the bustling city of Johannesburg, South Africa and has been practising as an Educational Psychologist since 2006.
Being in the therapist’s chair both in the school setting and private practice has been growth provoking and humbling. She has had extensive experience with all age ranges: children, adolescents, young adults and adults . Her profound insight into the intrapsychic and family dynamics has gained trust amongst the parents and children she has worked with. Nicole is devoted to working with communities and supporting people who show up to grow their mind-set and who seek to meet their emotional needs.
Having been inspired by psychoanalytic modalities, she continues to study the foundational concepts of Jungian analysis and psychoanalysis.
In her twenties, Nicole became curious about the energetics of the body (Soma) and mind (Psyche) and noted in her journal that this would be an integral part of her life. Twenty years later, after attending silent retreats led by Sue Cooper, the pieces came together and her own transformational experiences brought the notes in the journal to life. Psyche to Soma and Soma to Psyche was born.
Nicole entered a lengthy mentorship with Sue Cooper and developed her Psyche to Soma offerings. This includes mini silent retreats and Nicole’s love of bringing emotional life and creative expression together.
The Shape of a Day
- 6.00 Rising gong
- 6.30 Sunrise Sitting and Walking Meditation
- 7.30 Silent tea
- 8.30 Dharma Talk and Meditation
- 9.30 Qigong Movement Meditation
- 10.00 Sitting Meditation
- 10.30 Nourishing Silent Brunch
- 11.30 Walking Meditation
- 12.00 Sitting Meditation
- 12.30 Silence in Solitude (Free Time)
One-on-one sessions, optional massages, journalling, walk, swim, rest - 16.30 Listening and talking meditation
- (shared dialogue and reflections with teachers in group setting)
- 18.00 Mindful Movement
- 19.00 Free Time
- 19.30 Delicious Silent Dinner
- 20.30 Evening Dharma Talk
- 21.00 Sunset Meditation
Please note, some sessions are optional and the schedule may change according to the needs of the group.
A typical day includes
- Silent and guided sitting & walking meditations
- Qigong movement meditation
- Dharma talks & teachings
- Short, one-on-one sessions
- Mindful Movement
- Time to rest, journal and replenish
Additional activities included
- Silent Forest Walk
- Silent Beach Outing
What is included in the price
- 5 nights luxury villa accommodation
- Delicious vegan/vegetarian meals, as well as teas and snacks
- Shuttle from Athens to venue at around 10.30 am on 24th June (one way only)
- All activities described above
- One-on-one sessions
Not included
- Transport back from Pelion
- Airfares
- Visa
- Travel insurance
- Pre-retreat individual sessions (prior to the retreat for those who have not attended Sue’s retreats previously, or on request)
- Massages
A 30 - 50 minute pre-retreat individual session via Zoom/Whatsapp is required for newcomers or if you have not attended one of Sue’s residential retreats before. This provides greater containment and enhances and deepens the silent retreat experience for yourself and for the group. The fee for this will be the 30 - 50 minute medical aid rate and will be reduced if you are not on medical aid. Please contact Sue on sue.stillmind@gmail.com to arrange a time.
CPD accreditation for psychologists and other HPCSA (or equivalent) registered professionals to be confirmed, with an annual admin fee.
Bookings: admin@stillmindretreats.com