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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, Dutch, and Mandarin. 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, 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
Register
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.
You can choose a contribution most suited to your means ranging from €150 to €600.
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 Global Majority / 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
$400
By paying this rate you are ensuring that we cover the costs of the many hours of loving work which have gone into the creation of this course. You also help us meet essential construction costs.
REDUCED RATE
$300
If you are a student or on a lower income and are unable to afford the standard rate, please choose the discount rate. Only choose this option if you have limited financial means, so that we can ensure these places go to those who truly need them.
SCHOLARSHIP
$200
There are scholarships available to ensure a diverse, inclusive and accessible retreat.
For those in need of financial assistance, and who also identify as: a young person (35 and under) and / or Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and / or from the Global South (Asia, Africa, South America) and / or living with a disability.
SUPPORTER RATE
$600
Those able to contribute a supporter rate are generously donating towards the construction of our new Seven Building Complex and enabling us to offer scholarships to those who need them.
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 Thích Nhất Hạnh e-book
Enjoy the book How to Connect
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