The Inner Mysteries of Samothraki
Exploring Taoist Internal Alchemy in the Sacred Landscape of Ancient Greece
Retreat Dates
22–29 May 2027
Arrival: Friday 21 May
Course starts: Saturday 22 May at 9:00 am
Course finishes: Saturday 29 May at approximately 5:00 pm
Online Orientation
Saturday 8 May 2027 | 8:00 am–12:00 pm UK time
A four-hour online orientation will take place before the retreat.
A recording of the orientation will also be provided.
Workshop Overview:
Fusion of the Five Elements I, II & III, Lesser, Greater and Greatest Kan and Li with Andrew Jan, PhD
Join Andrew Jan, PhD, senior Universal Healing Tao instructor, author and teacher of Taoist internal alchemy, together with host Kostas Kapelas, MSc, Head Practitioner at Total Health Now Clinic, for six teaching days exploring the higher meditation practices of the Universal Healing Tao system.
The retreat will introduce and review practices from Fusion of the Five Elements through Lesser, Greater and Greatest Kan and Li. The emphasis will be on direct meditation practice, understanding the internal alchemical framework, and developing sensitivity to the different qualities of bodily, emotional and environmental energy.
The practices will be conducted in natural light, with participants able to use eye masks where appropriate to reduce external visual stimulation and deepen inward attention.
Connections with Ancient Greek Traditions on Samothraki
As part of the Taoist approach to understanding the connections between different traditions, we will also explore parallels between Taoist internal alchemy and ancient Greek spiritual and alchemical practices where appropriate. Selected concepts will be presented using their original Greek terminology, together with historical references and illustrations where available. This will provide an additional cultural and historical perspective, helping participants connect more deeply with the unique history and spiritual heritage of Samotraki while embodying these shared principles through practice.
Day 1 - Fusion of the Five Elements I (overview and refresher) – 22 May
Begin with the foundations of Taoist internal alchemy. Participants will explore ways of identifying and working with the forces of nature and their corresponding bodily energies, moving from fragmentation to the polarity of yin and yang towards a glimpse of the state described in Taoist practice as ‘Oneness’.
• Cultivating the Eight Forces: Water, Fire, Thunder, Lake, Earth, Mountain, Wind and Heaven
• Blending the Five Elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal
• Working with polarity of Yin and Yang within the lower elixir field and the movement towards Oneness
Day 2 - Fusion II & III (overview and refresher)
Fusion II
Continue the process through the Thrusting and Belt Channels.
• Developing compassion through integration of the elemental and organ energies with their corresponding virtues
• Opening the Central Thrusting Channels, which within this system may be associated with ancestral patterns
• Working with the Belt Channels, often explored in relation to accumulated psychological and emotional tensions
Fusion III (overview and refresher) – afternoon
Complete the introduction to the Eight Extraordinary Psychic Meridians.
• Opening the Bridge and Regulator Channels (the Yin Wei, Yang Wei, Yin Heel and Yang Heel channels)
• Exploring their traditional associations with the past, one's sense of direction and being more comfortable within oneself and the world we find us in.
• Using Advanced Taoist meditation formulas to reduce residual tension and prepare for Kan and Li and later internal alchemical work
Day 3 - rest Day 24th May
Day 4 - Lesser Kan and Li (overview and refresher) – 25 May
Water and Fire coupling in the lower cauldron
This one-day overview or refresher introduces the lower Tan Tien cauldron and the main processes associated with Lesser Kan and Li.
• Working with the hollow and solid organs and their associated energetic and emotional patterns and meridians.
• Exploring the Taoist imagery of clearing blockages and progressively making the bodily field feel lighter, more open or less solid
• Moving beneath the emotional layer towards the instinctive totem animal, the untainted child, and the souls and spirits
• Exploring the traditional process through which the souls and spirits are brought together in the formation of the spiritual body or “Foetus
Day 5 - Greater Kan and Li (overview and refresher) – 26 May
Water and Fire coupling in the solar plexus cauldron
Greater Kan and Li moves the practice to the solar plexus cauldron and introduces broader states of awareness.
• Working with the solar plexus cauldron and exploring a sense of awareness extending beyond the usual boundaries of the body
• Introducing meditative experiences and imagery associated with subterranean and mid-plane flight
• Extending awareness and connection towards the planets, moons and Sun of our solar system
• Exploring how these wider fields of awareness are incorporated into the internal alchemical process
Day 6 - Rest Day- 27 May
Please note:
• The retreat will be limited, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The retreat will also include two online sessions: a “Meet and Greet” before the retreat and a “Reunion” afterwards.
• The programme contains six teaching days and two scheduled rest and integration days.
Andrew Jan has practised and taught within the Universal Healing Tao tradition for more than 30 years and has participated in more than 20 intensive darkroom retreats, principally as a senior instructor.
During this retreat Andrew will be teaching in his role as a Taoist practitioner and instructor. He is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor with the School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, and practises as a medical acupuncturist.
His Master's thesis explored Taoist and Christian mysticism, while his PhD examined the role of acupuncture for pain control in the Emergency Department.
His previous books include: Greater Kan and Li, Greatest Kan and Li, Tai Chi Wu Style, Fa Jin and The Sexual Basis of Mystical Vision.
His forthcoming books include: Ecstatic Spirit Flight – The Congress of Heaven and Earth and The Grand Completion – The Reunion of Tao and Humanity.
Website: www.andrewjan.com.au
Kostas Kapelas, Co-Founder and Head Practitioner at Total Health Now Clinic®️, has a deep connection to Samothraki, having explored the island extensively. He is also developing a permanent wellness centre there, making this retreat part of a broader mission to promote healing and wellbeing.
With 17+ years of experience, Kostas specialises in gut health, immunity, endocrine support, chronic pain, and toxin management, having helped over 2,000 clients restore energy, improve sleep, and reduce stress since 2009.
Course Pricing
Booking & Payment
A £295 booking deposit is required to secure your place. The remaining balance must be paid by 1 February 2027. Bookings made on or after this date must be paid in full at the time of booking.
This early payment deadline is necessary because the retreat involves international teachers travelling from Australia and the UK, requiring advance programme planning and other commitments.
Bank transfer is our preferred payment method. Bank details will be provided when your booking is confirmed. Debit or credit card payments can be made via a secure payment link on request.
Cancellation
The £295 booking deposit is normally non-refundable, subject to applicable consumer law.
If you cancel before 1 February 2027, any amount paid above the £295 deposit will be refunded.
From 1 February 2027, we may retain an amount from payments made to cover reasonable costs and losses resulting from your cancellation, taking into account any costs we can avoid and whether your place can be filled by another participant. Any amount retained will be limited to our reasonable losses and remains subject to your statutory rights.
Unable to Attend in Person?
If you have booked an in-person place but are unable to travel to Samothraki, you may request to transfer to online attendance. Where this occurs after 1 February 2027, any refund of the difference between the in-person and online price will take into account costs and commitments already incurred.
Travel & Accommodation
Flights, ferries, accommodation, transfers, meals and optional activities are not included unless otherwise stated and must be arranged and paid for separately.
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking, including cancellation, medical and travel-disruption cover. Participants are responsible for their own passports, visas, insurance and other travel requirements.
If the Retreat Is Cancelled
If the organisers cancel the retreat and it does not take place, retreat fees paid to us will be refunded, subject to applicable law.
We are not responsible for independently booked flights, accommodation, ferries, transfers or other travel costs. Participants should therefore ensure their travel insurance provides appropriate cancellation and disruption cover.
Nothing in these terms affects any statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.
By booking and making payment, you confirm that you have read and accepted these Booking, Payment & Cancellation Terms.
In 6 days you will:
Getting to Samothraki
The island is reached via a ferry from Alexandroupoli (about 2 hours). Alexandroupoli is easily accessible by plane from Athens, or by bus or train from Thessaloniki. It is also possible to arrive from Istanbul, though please note this route may take longer due to border control procedures.. Once on Samothraki, local transport and taxis can take you to the retreat.
This powerful retreat offers a rare opportunity to experience the final meditative formulas of the Universal Healing Tao system in a sacred island setting.
© Copyright Total Health Now Clinic 2025 | Terms & Privacy