Away from the demands and distractions of everyday life, a retreat gives us a chance to practice living deeply in each moment, get to understand ourselves better and to connect with other mindfulness practitioners.

You can join retreats at the Being Peace Practice Centre or retreats organised locally across the UK. 

What to expect at Plum Village Retreat?

The Art of Mindful Living

Coming to a Plum Village style retreat is an opportunity to enjoy simple and peaceful living, and to learn how to cultivate the energy of mindfulness, so we can have more freedom, peace and happiness in our daily life. It is also a chance to nurture our inner growth as we take time to look deeply in order to transform both our individual difficulties and the difficulties in our society.

On retreat we learn how to weave mindfulness into all our daily activities, and live each moment of life more deeply. We practice meditation throughout the day – while eating, walking, working mindfully, sitting, or simply enjoying a cup of tea together.

Community life

Everyone staying at Plum Village participates in community activities such walking and sitting meditation, meals together and dharma sharing circles. On many retreats there will be community work such as arranging the meditation halls, cleaning bathrooms, washing pots and other simple tasks as part of the daily practice of mindfulness.

We emphasize community practice so that we can support each other, benefit from our collective energy, and learn to live together in harmony.

Typical schedule

6am – Wake Up
6.30am -Sitting meditation
7.15am – Mindful movement
8.am – Breakfast
9.30am – Dharma Talk
11.30am – Walking Meditation
12.30pm – Lunch
2pm – Deep relaxation
3pm – Dharma Sharing
6pm – Dinner
8pm – Activity/Sitting meditation
9.30pm – Noble Silence until after breakfast next day

Silence

To help us with our mindfulness practice there will be periods of silence during a retreat. In particular after the last evening activity until after breakfast the next day ‘noble silence’ is usually observed to help us to bring out attention inwards.

If you have previously been on totally silent retreats you will find there is less silence on a Plum Village style retreat which allows us to practice bringing mindfulness to speaking and listening.

Bursary Scheme

The Plum Village UK National Bursary Scheme is intended to encourage those who wish to deepen their practice and to fulfil our aspiration to promote the practice and teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh. Financial assistance is offered for events at Plum Village France and The European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Germany.

For retreats at the Being Peace Practice Centre in the UK, we offer supported places which you can choose directly when booking your place.

About the Scheme and how awards are made

• The Scheme is intended for people who have been practising for at least 12 months and are current members of the Community of Interbeing.  You can become a member here.
• Applicants must be resident in the UK.
• Regular attendance at a local group is desirable although exceptions will be acknowledged.
• Applications need to be supported by a sangha and/or an Order member.
• Assistance is offered in relation to travel and/or course or retreat costs.
• The level of support we are able to offer will depend on available funds and the number and type of applications we receive.
• A contribution of up to 50% of your costs will be considered. However we expect that the majority of awards will be less than this.
• All the information we need to assess an application is requested on the application form – there is no need to include a supporting letter.

Please read and complete the application form if you want to apply for the Scheme.

Download the application form here

Retreats are listed below: