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We practice with our family, we practice with our spiritual friends because alone we cannot succeed easily.
Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh
Join the Sisters of Lower Hamlet to experience an inspiring and immersive 5-day live online retreat.
In a world facing many challenges, how to cool the flames of fear, anger, and despair?
What becomes possible when we reconnect — with ourselves, with one another, with society, and with Mother Earth?
In our great togetherness, we can touch the collective wisdom that is already there and discover ways to meet the challenges of our time with non-fear, compassion, hope, freedom, and joy.
Meet Your Monastic Dharma Teachers
Click Here to discover more
about the Monastic Dharma Teachers for this retreat
The Five Days – Exclusive Talks
Friday, January 15
“The Power of Togetherness”
Beginning our journey guided by Sr. Tam Muội, together we will tap into the powerful collective energy produced by practicing as a spiritual community.
Stopping and coming back to our true home, we will find a place of refuge in our body, our breath, our steps, always available for us. Meeting what is alive in and around us in this moment, with courage and compassion, we will learn how to be nourished by our joy and how to embrace challenges.
Saturday, January 16
“Please, Call Me By My True Names”
In this talk, Sr. Hội Nghiêm will invite us to turn towards our despair, fear, and anger with mindfulness, to name our pain, both individual and collective. Although they are part of life, we will learn that caring for our suffering is an art. With awareness, we can connect with a deep joy and come to realize how our joy and pain are inextricably linked.
Sunday, January 17
“Getting into the Stream”
Sharing ancient wisdom teachings from the Buddha, Sr. Chân Đức will explain how we can generate abundant, sustainable energy to cultivate and maintain our happiness. Building resilience, we can be with our fear and confusion. We will discover that within us, we have the seeds of the Five Powers, power plants empowering and connecting us.
Monday, January 18
“The Great Lion’s Roar: Questions and Responses”
Sr. Đào Nghiêm, Sr. Bội Nghiêm, Sr. Hiến Nghiêm, Sr. Sĩ Nghiêm
A chance to ask a question from the heart about the joys and uncertainties in your current situation—in your relationships, work, society, and the world. A panel of Dharma teachers will offer their experience and insight.
Tuesday, January 19
“No Coming, No Going”
In this closing talk, Sr. Lăng Nghiêm will dive deep into the teachings on nonself and interbeing.
When we know how to connect with ourselves, one another, society, and Mother Earth, we will no longer feel separate and alone. With a community of practice, we can continue to engage the power of collective wisdom. Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh reminds us One Buddha is not Enough.
The Retreat Format
This retreat will start with a light schedule on Friday, January 15, 2027. The full schedule starts on Saturday, January 16 and goes through Tuesday, January 19, with four daily sessions broadcasted live from Lower Hamlet (Dharma Nectar Temple, Plum Village, France).
- The schedule of this retreat is available for time zones in the Americas, and Europe / Africa.
- No prior experience or knowledge is needed to join.
- All teachings and activities will be in English with live translation available in French & Spanish.
- Sharing groups will be in English. If there is sufficient interest, sharing groups will also be offered in German, Italian, and Dutch. Dharma sharing in French or Spanish is available by registering for the retreat in that language.
- Special events or activities including a ceremonies to send the energy of Compassion and transmit the Five Mindfulness Trainings, affinity consultation and workshops, guided deep relaxations, mindful exercises, eating in mindful company, as well as a Lyrical Meditation with music and poetry.
I had many insights. I finally shifted my attention and appreciation to what I already have, the right conditions that allow me to be right here right now. I don’t feel there’s something missing in my life. I have the seeds of joy and I can nourish it everyday.
a participant from the 2026 “Calming the Fearful Mind” Online Retreat
What You’ll Experience
A Plum Village retreat experience in your own home.
A mix of light and intensive mindfulness practices so that you can still experience a Plum Village retreat while managing work or study commitments. Live as well as recorded offerings for greater flexibility.
Intimate group interactions with
Plum Village monastics & experienced practitioners
Join a group of about 15-20 people, guided by an experienced facilitator. Sharing groups are the heart of this retreat. Practice deep listening, mindful sharing, and experience the power of collective practice
If there is sufficient interest, sharing groups will also be available in Chinese, Italian, German, and Dutch.
Connect live to an international community
Generating a collective energy of mindfulness to support your personal practices wherever you are.
Register
Financial contributions for this retreat will go towards renewal and expansion construction projects of Lower Hamlet. Find out more here.
You can choose a contribution most suited to your means ranging from €200 to €600.
We do not want the financial aspect to keep you from participating. If you want to attend this online retreat and your budget does not allow for it at this moment, please email us at onlineretreats@plumvillage.org to apply for a further reduction.
In the registration process, you can choose whether or not to register for Dharma Sharing.
Registration will close on January 14, 2027.
Pricing & Registration
Financial contributions for this retreat will go towards renewal and expansion construction projects of Lower Hamlet. Find out more here.
We trust participants to choose the rate that best reflects their circumstances.
If finances are a barrier, scholarship support is available for young person (35 and under) and / or Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour (BIPOC) and / or from the Global South and / or living with a disability.
If you are able to contribute more, your generosity helps others participate.
STANDARD RATE
$300
What’s included:
- 18+ hours of video teachings & practices with Thich Nhat Hanh, Christiana Figueres & Plum Village monastics
- 4+ hours of guided meditations
- 7.5 hours of bonus library teachings & practices
- 5.5 hours of live sessions with Q&A
- 4 hours of sharing groups
- 15 reflections for deepening practice
- Community affinity groups and map to connect with others.
REDUCED RATE
$200
For participants who would benefit from a lower-cost option.
All of the same elements included as listed under standard rate.
SCHOLARSHIP
$60
Hundreds of scholarships available to ensure a diverse, inclusive and accessible course.
Please only apply for a scholarship if you need to, as we have a limited number of scholarship places available.
All of the same elements included as listed under standard rate.
SUPPORTER RATE
$600
Those able to contribute a supporter rate helps make the course as accessible as possible, enabling us to offer scholarships for those who need them. You’ll also be directly supporting the community that sustains the teachings.
All of the same elements included as listed under standard rate.
Resource Package
Special video guide
To help you prepare your retreat space so that you have the best conditions to join the online sessions
Calligraphies and Gathas / short poems
Artwork from the monastics and friends and practice verses to print and post around your home.
Ready-to-Print copies of key texts
Easy and continued access to the songs, sutras, teachings, contemplations, and other texts used throughout the retreat.
100% off
a Thich Nhat Hanh e-book
Enjoy the book Calming the Fearful Mind
Don’t stay on the shore of suffering and anger. Cross over to the shore of non-anger with the help of a teacher, other friends who practice, and your own practice … With the sangha, with your practice of walking and breathing, of looking deeply, you will cross very quickly.
Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh