The Wonder of It All

As scientists, we have to challenge ourselves. We know that we need a mind that is clear – a mind that is not overloaded with grief, worries, anxiety and despair – a mind that is free from prejudices, notions, even knowledge, so that we can make progress on the path of learning and discovery.

— Thich Nhat Hanh

We are delighted to open pre-registration for this unique retreat, currently available by invitation only to scientists and academics in the field. Public registration will open on April 1, 2025. If you feel called to join, we encourage you to register while places are still available.

A Shared Quest
At the heart of both the scientific and meditative journey lies a shared aspiration: the desire to understand and to discover. Yet, to truly encounter the truth, we must release our fixed views, prejudices, and cherished assumptions—only then can we see the world with fresh eyes.

Training The Mind
From June 20–27, 2025, Plum Village will host a transformative retreat for scientists. We invite you to experience a deeply interwoven ecology of practices—ancient in origin yet consonant with the latest scientific insights. Together, we will strengthen our capacity to dwell in the present moment, refine our intuition, and cultivate profound openness of mind.

Living Insight
Through inspiring talks by senior monastics and distinguished guest speakers, we will integrate the wisdom of Buddhism and science to illuminate the most urgent questions of our time. Together, we will explore resilience—both personal and collective—and delve into the nature of mind and reality.

Nourishing Body & Mind
The retreat fee includes all meals, unlimited tea, and retreat activities, offering a fully immersive experience in a peaceful, contemplative environment.

A Retreat of Inquiry & Practice
This is not a silent retreat but rather a harmonious blend of learning, deep contemplation, and mindful living. Our daily schedule includes:

• Dharma Talks – Teachings from senior monastic Dharma teachers
• Guided Meditation Practices – Walking, sitting, and mindful eating
• Walking Meditation – Amidst the serene countryside of southern France
• Scientific Panels & Discussions
  – Engaging presentations by distinguished guest speakers
• Mindful Sharing Circles
  – Small “families” meet daily to reflect and listen deeply
• Time for Personal Reflection & Renewal
  – Space for exercise, rest, and connection

Register in Lower Hamlet or Upper Hamlet

FAQ

What is the design of the retreat? How will we spend our time?

The retreat will be facilitated by the Plum Village monastics and include panel sharings by distinguished guest speakers. Together, we will dedicate our time to cultivating resilience and fostering empathetic human connections through the teachings of the Plum Village Zen tradition. This includes practices such as mindfulness, managing deep emotions, speaking without blame, listening deeply, honoring Mother Earth, and more.

Arrival and Departure

Please arrive at Plum Village on June 20th, no later than 7.30pm. On June 27th is our departure day, and you are welcome to check out from your accommodation by 9.30am, and depart the premises by 12pm. It’s important to keep the energy of the group and the flow of the retreat intact. Therefore we’re sorry, but we can’t accommodate late arrivals or early departures for the retreat. Thank you for understanding!

Where Is Plum Village Located and How to Get There?

Plum Village is located about 85 km east of Bordeaux, France. The retreat will be co-hosted in Upper Hamlet, the home of the monks, and Lower Hamlet, the home of the nuns. The address of Upper Hamlet is 437 Chemin du Pey, 24240 Thénac, France. The address of Lower Hamlet is 1336 Route de Lalande, 47120 Loubès-Bernac, France. They are within walking distance (3km) of each other. The nearest train station is Sainte Foy La Grande. The nearest airport is Bergerac or Bordeaux. You can choose to stay in either hamlet. Single men can register in Upper Hamlet only.

Accommodations

Accommodation will be a mix of single and shared rooms. The space is limited and we will accommodate on a first come first served basis. All accommodation types are comfortable but modest and simple. Do not expect any luxuries.

What type of food will be served or how are the meals?

All Plum Village meals are vegan: vegetarian with neither dairy nor eggs, and our staples are usually rice (brown and white), oats, bread, and rice noodles. Everything is prepared fresh from mostly local organic ingredients by the monastics and volunteers (expect to sample some amazing Vietnamese cuisine). We are vegan to nourish our compassion and protect our planet. Food will be served buffet-style.

Internet & Telephone

During the retreat, please also give your cell phone and Internet a retreat. Only access the Internet for urgent purposes.
Please remember to put an auto-response on your email, to make all your travel arrangements, and have a copy of your travel documents before you arrive.
We recommend asking friends & family to support your retreat by limiting phone communication (you could arrange a specific day to check messages or make a call).

Dress Code & What to pack

To respect and support our collective energy of practice, we ask everyone to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes at all times. Please wear only clothes that fully cover your shoulders, chest, back, arms (to the elbow) and legs past the knees. Women may find a light shawl handy. Please do not wear shorts, hot pants, tank tops, short dresses and so on. If your clothing is too revealing, you may not be able to enter the Meditation Halls. These are sacred spaces. Bring layers and comfortable clothing for sitting.

Suggestions on what to bring:

• Toiletries
• Ear plugs and eye mask for light sleepers
• Flashlight
• Alarm clock/device
• Water bottle/thermos/travel mug
• Shoes that are easy to slip on and off (for entering and leaving the communal building easily)
• Slippers (for using inside your accommodation)
• Insect repellent (mosquito, & potentially ticks, chiggers)
• Sunscreen and sun hats
• Picnic blanket if you enjoy sitting on the grass
• Journal or notebook

Speaker Bios

Sebern Fisher is a psychotherapist, author, and pioneer in integrating neurofeedback with psychotherapy for the treatment of developmental trauma. With a background in counseling psychology, she served as clinical director of a residential treatment center for severely traumatized adolescents, where she introduced attachment theory and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into residential care. Since 1997, Sebern has focused on integrating neurofeedback with psychotherapy in private practice, working with adults affected by early trauma. She is the author of Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-Driven Brain and has trained clinicians worldwide in using neurofeedback for trauma treatment. A recipient of multiple awards for her contributions to the field, she continues to consult internationally on the role of fear, dissociation, and brain-based interventions in trauma recovery. https://www.sebernfisher.com/ 

Ruth Lanius M.D., Ph.D. is a Clinician-Scientist, Psychiatry Professor, and Harris-Woodman Chair in Mind-Body Medicine at Western University of Canada, where she is the Director of the Clinical Research Program for PTSD.  Ruth has over 25 years of clinical and research experience with trauma-related disorders. She has published four books and over 250 research articles and book chapters. She regularly lectures and teaches internationally about psychological trauma. Ruth is passionate about understanding the first-person experience of traumatized individuals throughout treatment and how it relates to brain functioning.​ She is regarded as a leading specialist in the mind-body effects of trauma and neuroscience-based approaches to trauma treatment.  https://www.ruthlanius.com/ 

Dr. Frank Corrigan MD, FRC Psych
Throughout a career spanning over 30 years as an NHS Consultant Psychiatrist in Scotland, Frank combined his extensive clinical experience with research on the neurobiology of trauma and its underpinnings in major psychiatric disorders. His research broadly explored the intersection between affective Neuroscience and the science of healing culminating in the development of Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)®. This new and novel psychotherapeutic approach emphasises the importance of tracking a distinctive neurophysiological sequence embedded in ‘deep brain’ systems. One of the most unique aspects of DBR as a trauma-focused therapy, is the embodiment of a natural healing process that is consonant with the evolutionary process of the developing brain and nervous system. deepbrainreorienting.com

Dr. Mark Miller is a philosopher and cognitive scientist exploring the nature of human cognition. His research focuses on predictive processing—how the mind generates knowledge-driven predictions—and integrates this with 4E cognition, which highlights the role of the body and environment in shaping thought. Currently, he investigates how advances in cognitive science and neuroscience can help us understand the effects of technology on happiness and well-being. His work spans human-computer interaction, socio-technical systems, and human flourishing, offering new perspectives on the intersection of mind, technology, and well-being. He’s also the host of The Contemplative Science Podcast. https://www.markdmiller.live/  

Sister Chân Lăng Nghiêm was ordained as a novice nun on February 8th 2003 in the “Walnut” family. She received full ordination as a bhikshuni in January 2006, and the Lamp Transmission from Thầy, to become a Dharma Teacher, in January 2010.  Originally from Vietnam, she and her family immigrated to America in 1979, living in various states including Colorado, California, and Florida, where she completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies in biology. It is from Thầy that she has learned to be comfortable in her own skin, to feel at home, wherever she is, and to deeply appreciate the gems found in people and cultures everywhere. She is an active member of our international community and has lived in Lower Hamlet, France; Deer Park Monastery, California; and Blue Cliff Monastery, New York. With her love of books and Thay’s teachings, she serves on the advisory board of Parallax Press and is happy to see Thầy’s books appear in schools, hospitals, prisons, bedside tables, and even local coffee shops around the world. https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-lang-nghiem 

Brother Pháp Linh, also known as Brother Spirit, is a Zen Buddhist monk, composer and seeker. He began his monastic training with Thich Nhat Hanh in Plum Village in February 2008, and has since composed many of the community’s beloved chants. Before ordaining he studied mathematics at Cambridge and worked professionally as a composer. A co-founder of the Wake Up Movement for young people, today Brother Phap Linh is actively engaged in teaching applied mindfulness to climate activists, business leaders, artists, and scientists. As a leading voice in the new generation of Buddhist monastics in the West, he is passionate about exploring how meditators and scientists can help each other to go further on the path of understanding and discovery. In the spring of 2026, he will publish Are You Sure? a book co-authored with Thich Nhat Hanh, to be released by Penguin Random House, exploring the intersection of Buddhist psychology and science. He is part of the core-curriculum team that has designed and implemented the online international course Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. He has the conviction that a modern form of monasticism will play an important role in awakening us to our interconnectedness with all life, thus fostering a more compassionate and harmonious way of living on and with Mother Earth. https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/brother-phap-linh 

Lay Organizers 
Dr. Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD, is based at the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor (teaching stream) in the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program (BPMH), with a joint appointment to the Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She is cross-appointed to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in their Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME). Her work draws upon research from the fields of neuroscience, education, healthcare and the workplace to explore how the scientific evidence base for mindfulness is being integrated and operationalized across key sectors of society. Past and ongoing collaborations include working with UofT’s Faculty of Law, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Engineering, Rotman School of Management, Physical Therapy Department, the Ontario Hospital Association, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to integrate mindfulness into programming for faculty, staff, clinicians, patients and students. She was recently awarded a grant from the Ontario Medical Foundation (OMF) to continue her innovative research on the Applied Mindfulness Program for Medical Personnel. She attended her first retreat with Zen Master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh at the age of eleven and has continued to train with his international Plum Village community. Elli’s novel background in both academic research and traditional mindfulness practice provides a distinct approach to her ongoing work teaching and researching in the field. https://www.elliweisbaum.com/

Additional information

• Sample schedule
• Information about our hamlets
• Accommodation and pricing
• Cancellation policy
• Transportation, what to wear, what to bring, and meals