Dear friends from around the world,
Plum Village and the international Earth Holder communities warmly invite you to join the Global Earth Retreat with the title “Love is Freedom” this June. It will be the first ‘hybrid’ retreat, (meaning there will be both in-person and online options), of its kind in Plum Village. We want to explore together the essential environmental and social justice issues of our time and foster our connection with each other and with Mother Earth through the collective energy of mindfulness, concentration, and peace.
For the online retreat we have carefully curated four adjusted schedules to cater to different time zones for your convenience: for Europe/ Africa, the Americas East and Americas West, and Asia/ Pacific. We invite you to join us on this new and exciting global journey and experience from June 17-22!
Many of us are wholeheartedly and tirelessly engaged to create a better world and protect our planet. Because we work with dedication and in often challenging environments, many are facing the risk of burn-out, anger, and despair. How can we be engaged and face difficulties, and still take good care of ourselves and be happy? How can we be nourished by the beauty of Mother Earth and the embrace and support of a beloved community? How can love show us the way?
June 17 – 22, 2023
Love is Freedom – Global Earth Retreat
Registration for the six-day online retreat will open on March 10.
About Plum Village
Plum Village is the mindfulness practice center and international community founded by Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. He pioneered “Engaged Buddhism” where mindfulness and meditation support concrete action for a better world. The mindfulness practices he teaches have been forged in the fires of war and conflict. They are both profound and easily applicable in daily life and have the power to transform and heal our relationships with ourselves, our loved ones, and the Earth. The Earth Holder Community is a branch of the Plum Village tree that applies Thich Nhat Hanh’s core teachings on engaged Buddhism, mindful living, social and racial justice, and inter-being with Mother Earth at this time of ecological crisis.
Special Guests
We are delighted that a number of wonderful and inspiring people will join us for this retreat: Satish Kumar (long-time peace activist, ex-monk, co-founder of Schumacher College) and Tho Ha Vinh (former director of the Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan) will offer a panel sharing via zoom. Ejna Fleuri (first Tribal Peace Ambassador of the Crow Creek Sioux tribe) and Joshua Konkakoh (an honored African elder and experienced social change movement builder) will be present at Plum Village and offer sharings and an inter-faith solstice celebration.
Retreat Trailer
The pandemic, the wars around the world and the ongoing ecological and social crisis have been challenging for many of us. With this retreat you can bring the peace and calm of Plum Village into your home and connect to an international and diverse community of like-minded friends and activists from around the world. Even though the retreats are “online” and via a screen, many people find it very restorative and supportive for their practice.
The retreat will allow you to:
- Find inspiration from live talks by senior Plum Village Dharma teachers
- Learn from experienced practitioners and activists how to apply mindfulness to our engaged work in panel sharings and workshops
- Take part in intimate group sharings
- Touch peace through guided meditations, relaxations and movements
“There’s a revolution that needs to happen and it starts from inside each one of us. We need to wake up and fall in love with Earth. Our personal and collective happiness and survival depends on it.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
About Plum Village
Plum Village is the mindfulness practice center and international community founded by Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. He pioneered “Engaged Buddhism” where mindfulness and meditation support concrete action for a better world. The mindfulness practices he teaches have been forged in the fires of war and conflict. They are both profound and easily applicable in daily life and have the power to transform and heal our relationships with ourselves, our loved ones, and the Earth. The Earth Holder Community is a branch of the Plum Village tree that applies Thich Nhat Hanh’s core teachings on engaged Buddhism, mindful living, social and racial justice, and inter-being with Mother Earth at this time of ecological crisis.
About the retreat
The retreat is organized in collaboration among the international Earth Holder Community, Abrazadores de la Tierra, Gardiennes de la Terre, and Plum Village. The retreat will be mainly in English, with French and Spanish translations. Online Dharma sharings will be available in a few different languages. Sessions such as the Dharma talks, sitting meditations, and some panel sharings will be livestreamed from Plum Village.
Group Sharings
The intimate group circle sharings are a unique Plum Village offering. It’s a great way to hear, learn, heal, and connect deeply with people from many different countries and backgrounds. If you would like to join a group sharing, please register as soon as possible as these spaces are limited. Registration for the circle sharing will close one week before the retreat, on June 10th.
Retreat Registration
You can choose the contribution that fits best your situation. Further reductions and scholarships are available. Please note: The onsite retreat is from June 16-23 (including arrival and departure days).
Please see this site for more information and to register for the retreat:
Love is Freedom – Global Earth Retreat
Please feel free to forward this email to interested friends, colleagues, fellow activists and groups.
We look forward to sharing and practicing with you online & onsite!
The brothers, sisters and siblings of Plum Village and the Earth Holder communities
