Not just a retreat for Empress Elisabeth of Austria: Corfu

After our last trip to the far north, today we are drawn back south, to the place where even Empress Sissi took retreats from court life (she had the Achilleion Palace built there). After its completion, she said, “I have destroyed the old melancholy. Actually, I regret it now. Our dreams are more beautiful when we do not realize them.” For a woman of noble birth, it was almost impossible at that time to really fulfill dreams, because even if Sissi traveled the whole world, climbed mountains, resided in the most beautiful palaces everywhere, this inner restlessness remained, which developed more and more into an anxiety disorder (obsessive adherence to rituals concerning the exterior) and depression. Sissi repeatedly wrote down her thoughts on the matter and tried to allow herself freedoms within the patriarchal system, and can therefore be seen as a pioneer of equality.

What she may have lacked, as her tragic end also shows, was protection from a brutal, frustrated and oppressed society that had simply had enough of a few having so much while the majority starved. Sounds familiar... Even today, so many enrich themselves at the expense of others and trick the system to maintain their power. However, real equality and peace are only possible if everyone has the same opportunities. Fortunately, we are at a turning point here.

As a mindful organization, followyoursun also dedicates all of its work and a large part of our income to those who suffer the most from injustice (children, women, marginalized groups). Our entire work goes into mindful projects (education, literature, development of new therapy tools and manuals, support for mindful organizations and projects, scientific collaborations, training of mindful experts, public relations for mindful initiatives, etc.) because we know that the most beautiful wealth is that which is shared with others in a just and unified understanding.

In this sense, Corfu is also ideal for yoga retreats and mindful time-outs. If you want to feel free and swim with dolphins, snorkel in secluded bays and sail (a boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos is highly recommended here) and discover a variety of treasures from Greek antique and cuisine, a trip there is highly recommended.