Mindful Morning – Is peace really possible?

This month facilitated by Michael Schwammberger

Looking at recent events (the war in the Middle East) including the situation in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and other forgotten conflicts, we may get the feeling that perhaps genunine longterm peace is an illusion.

Yet at the same time our Plum Village tradition has direct roots in the Vietnam war and from that event Thay has offered us a way to practice peace and to create the foundations for peace to manifest.

The talk will invites us all to reflect on peace as a theme and to collectively see what we can do to nurture peace.
 

Resources

 
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR PEACE

MINISTRY FOR PEACE

Michael Schwammberger (Chan Phap Son – True Dharma Mountain)

Michael was born in the UK but grew up in the beautiful island of Ibiza, Spain.

In 1996 he arrived in Plum Village inspired by Thay’s book Peace is Every Step after having practiced insight meditation for 4 years at Gaia House meditation centre, in the UK.

He stayed on in Plum Village, being deeply moved by Thich Nhat Hanh and the sense of community, and ended up ordaining as a novice monk in February 1997, receiving his full ordination and the 14 mindfulness trainings in 1998.

In January 2003 he received the lamp transmission. He lived in Plum Village, France and the monasteries in the United States (Deer Park and Maple Forest, now Blue Cliff) and travelled extensively with Thay in his teaching tours.

Michael took a sabbatical in 2011 and returned to lay life in 2012 and teaches as a lay teacher offering retreats in Europe and Israel.

On the first Sunday of every month, we offer a Morning of Mindfulness led by UK Lay Dharma Teachers, Members of the Order of Interbeing, Monastic Dharma Teachers and special guests.

The morning will typically include a guided meditation, followed by a talk or panel. After a short break, there will be an opportunity for Dharma sharing in groups.

Main image by Maria Baltazzi on Unsplash