The Upper Hamlet Community and Happy Farm are excited to offer this special two-week immersive retreat.
We are living through incredible times. Collectively on our planet as a human and “more than human’” family we are in the midst of a climate emergency, and an ecological emergency. As a human family, we are also in the midst of a social emergency. As a species, we have become disconnected from the natural world. We have forgotten how to live with our “original instructions” in harmony with Earth and all those we share her with.
This poly crisis is the root of deep suffering for so many. In this two-week immersive experience in Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, we will explore these themes together.
Whilst we acknowledge there is ill-being and suffering, we also acknowledge that there is a path to well-being and healing set out by the Buddha and continued by Thay. Together we will dive deep into these teachings supported by the Upper Hamlet community and the Happy Farm family.
During this retreat, we will:
- Spend time being in direct relationship with the 20 hectares of wild land of Plum Village that we are rewilding.
- Take refuge in our natural world.
- Spend time exploring and experiencing the regenerative cultures and practices of the Happy Farm.
Together through practices, workshops, and service meditations we will bear witness to the teachings that this wild land is offering us that run in parallel with the teachings of Thay and the Buddha.
Healing, transformation, and regeneration for the land is healing, transformation, and regeneration for ourselves. We were born for these times.
Mick McEvoy Project Manager of the Happy Farm & Retreat Leader
About this retreat
This retreat is mainly facilitated by the lay practitioners of the Happy Farm team. There will be some activities facilitated by the monastics for the wider community of Upper Hamlet and/or Plum Village, and there will be some activities specific only to this retreat. The daily schedule is the similar as the Plum Village “General Practice Week” schedule, however our morning sessions will be experiential workshops on our rewilding lands (outdoors as much as possible). Our service meditation will be together on the Happy Farm, our rewilding lands and Upper Hamlet. During part of the retreat, there will be another themed retreat running simultaneously. Therefore it will be important for retreat participants to check the whiteboard daily for the schedule.
- Teachings will be in English.
- There will be four Dharma Sharing Families in English (60 guests total).
- To support the stability and collective energy of mindfulness, all participants are asked to stay the full two weeks, and only arrive and depart on the designated days: Friday 2 May and Friday 16 May.
- In addition to our usual suggestions of what to bring for a retreat, please bring wet weather clothing, old clothes and suitable footwear for gardening. Consider also bringing a sun hat, sunscreen and a drinking water bottle.
General information about joining us for a retreat
- Sample schedule
- Accommodation and pricing
- Information about our hamlets
- Transportation, what to wear, what to bring, and meals
Register
This retreat is hosted in the home of the Plum Village monks, Upper Hamlet. For most of the year, Upper Hamlet mainly hosts single men. However, for this retreat, all genders are welcome for these two weeks, including single women.
Testimonial from a past participant
