New Year Retreat with London Sanghas

Below you can watch a beautiful film created by Joe Holtaway, from the beautiful 4 days New Years Retreat at Colehayes in Devon with the London Plum Village Community. 

Joe says:

Did you ever go on a retreat? I’ve been on big ones, small ones, solo ones…the idea is having some time to reflect on the life, yourself, what’s been going on – what would like to do more of/less of – I’ve heard it described as sitting on the river bank for a bit. 

Plum Village is a community of people inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, peace activist. Living, as we are in a time of unprecedented globally-streamed violence, how do we respond in meaningful ways, knowing we can’t not see what’s happening? This has been my question to myself. 

I can see myself struggling with this, people struggling with this and communities like Plum Village struggling with this too. It feels right that we are, looking around and trying to find responses collectively that mean something. 

Over these 4 days we held some workshops and discussions, listening spaces – gaining personal perspectives on racism, islamophobia, gender identity, neuro-diversity. We did this alongside meditations, music, games, good food, good laughs, hikes and quiet time. Feels so good to hang out with others like this. Time to get back in the river. 

Featured is the wonderful music of Nayar Collective, Joshua K, Monica Max West and Joe Holtaway – all artists can be found on the Peace Sounds album, available here: https://peacesoundslabel.org/