The Upper Hamlet Community and Happy Farm are excited to offer these weeks of practice: Coming Home to Mother Earth.
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 multi-layered crisis, this polycrisis – touches us deeply. It reveals both the collective suffering of our time and the radical possibility of awakening through it. 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
More Information
Coming Home to Mother Earth 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 these practice weeks. The daily schedule is similar to the Plum Village “Mindful Living 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.
- 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 1 May and Friday 15 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.
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.
In the buttons below:
- Indicate whether you are coming alone or with someone.
- Next, select your gender identity.
- Then carefully review the information about the price tiers and choose the tier that applies to you.
- Once you’ve selected a tier, click the “See Availability” button at the bottom of the price section to view the accommodation options.
Click here to view our updated payment and cancellation policy
Registration & Payment
Payment Structure
For retreats from January 3, 2026 onwards, your contribution will be split into two payments:
- Main payment to Bienvenue Aux Pruniers S.A.S. (BAP) for practical retreat aspects (food, accommodation, facilities, administration, taxes)
- Monastery contribution to Congrégation Bouddhique Zen Village des Pruniers (CBZ) to support the monastic community
Your bank statement will show two charges, and you will receive two invoices.
Note: For retreats taking place in 2025 until January 3, 2026, retreat contributions are received by Communaute Bouddhique Zen du Village des Pruniers, the religious nonprofit 1901 association operating our activities from 1988-2025.
Payment Methods
Our online booking system accepts:
- Credit card payments (worldwide)
- European direct debit (SEPA) for European bank accounts
All payments are processed via the secure Stripe payment gateway. We do not store payment details. Due to strict French regulations, we cannot accept cash, cheques, or manual bank transfers for retreat payments.
Cancellation Policy
To ensure fair access for all, we have revised our cancellation policy to encourage participants to book a retreat place only when certain they can attend.
Cancellation by Participants
If you need to cancel:
- 28+ days before arrival: Full refund minus €100 admin & cancellation fee
- 14-27 days before arrival: 50% refund after deducting the €100 non-refundable admin fee
- 13 days or less before arrival: No refunds possible
We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover retreat cancellation fees in case of unforeseen circumstances, including personal illness or family emergencies.
For those generously coming to Plum Village to help as a volunteer, the cancellation fee is €25 (to cover admin costs).
Cancellation by Plum Village
Plum Village reserves the right to cancel a retreat under any circumstances. If this occurs, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to us, including the admin fee.
Plum Village accepts no further liability beyond the retreat registration fee refund. We cannot be liable for funds spent on advance travel arrangements, such as flight tickets and visas. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance that covers this.
Testimonial from a past participant
