Brother Spirit
Brother Phap Linh, also known as Brother Spirit, is a zen Buddhist monk, musician 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 learn from each other and open new paths of healing and discovery. He has the conviction that a modern form of monasticism can play a crucial role in bringing about a more compassionate society as well as a much needed collective awakening to our interbeing with all life
Jump To Dharma Talks, Questions & Answers
Dharma Talks
What is an Engaged Buddhist Response to Suffering?
This Dharma Talk was recorded on June 12, 2024 in New Hamlet, Plum Village France. It is the 6th talk of the series of talks published from the 2024 June Retreat held in Plum Village, France, with the theme: “”Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times: Applied Ethics.” “In this powerful…
Br Phap Linh
When Your Worldview Starts to Crumble: a Chance to Wake Up
This Dharma Talk was recorded on the 12th of November 2023 in New Hamlet, Plum Village (France). It is the seventh talk of the Rains’ Retreat 2023 Sunday Talk series.
Br Phap Linh
Workshop on Deep Listening: The Power of Presence
A Workshop on Deep Listening: The Power of Presence in Communication, Understanding Suffering, Compassion, Conflict Resolution, and Relationship Transformation. As we are well aware, the pressure of achieving profound and urgent change is leading to increased anxiety and polarization in societies as well as within the climate movement. It…
Br Phap Linh
Compassion in Action, True Happiness and Peace, True Love and Sexual Energy: A Monastic Q&A
This session of monastic Q&A was recorded on the 9th August 2023 in Plum Village New Hamlet. It is the third Dharma session of the Annual Wake Up retreat (mainly for young people 18 to 35 years old). The monastic Dharma Teachers in this session are Sisters Luc Nghiem…
Sr Lực Nghiêm, Sr Tai Nghiem, Br Phap Linh, Br Troi Bao Tang
Direction, Aspiration, and Obstacles on the Path | A Monastic Q&A Session
This session was recorded during our first week of the Plum Village Summer Opening retreat in July 2023. Thumbnail photo credit ©Jerome Cabeen — jeromecabeenphotography.com
Br Pháp Hữu, Br Phap Linh, Br Troi Bao Tang
Happiness in the Here and Now: let Mother Earth guide you Home
This Dharma Talk was recorded in Upper Hamlet, Plum VIllage France on 20th June 2023 during our Earth Retreat with the title “Love is Freedom”.
Br Phap Linh
Active Response to Suffering
Is Plum Village “engaged” enough today? Is our daily practice of mindfulness an appropriate answer to the problems our world is facing? If we look deeply at current issues such as war, injustice, or the climate crisis, we can understand their connection with our ways of thinking, speaking and…
Sr Hiến Nghiêm, Br Phap Linh, Br Pháp Hữu
Celebrating 40 Years of the Plum Village tradition | A Music and Meditation Evening
on the 14th of June 2022, we had a wonderful music and poetry concert to celebrate 40 years of the Plum Village tradition. The concert was part of a two-week long mindfulness practice retreat, with the theme “Now We Have a Path, We Have Nothing to Fear”, held in…
Br Pháp Hữu, Br Phap Linh, Sr Trai Nghiem, Sr Hiến Nghiêm, Br Phap Bieu
Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness & Plum Village practice (40 Years Retreat #4)
In this fourth Dharma talk of our 40 Years Retreat, “Now We Have a Path: We Have Nothing More to Fear”, Brother Phap Linh shares how we can recognize trauma in ourselves and those around us, as well as how we can care for it and help it to…
Br Phap Linh
Because we inter-are | “Spirituality, Science & Action” Retreat, Talk #2
“What do I want to do with my life?” Brother Phap Linh shows us how in our times, we cannot ask this question as an individual anymore. We have the responsibility to look at it under the light of the present situation and in a way that includes the…
Br Phap Linh
The Secret to Continuing Thay
There are so many urgent crises in the world and we may think, “If only Thay were still alive, he would know what to do.” In this talk, Brother Phap Linh explains that Thay can be very alive in us, if we know how to practice. By applying the…
Br Phap Linh
Can meditation be harmful?
What *is* meditation, or mindfulness? Can it be used as a panic room? What is its purpose? What do we need to know to practice it safely and successfully? In this sincere and tender dharma talk from December 2020, Br. Phap Linh (“Brother Spirit”) shares that the practice of…
Br Phap Linh
Science and Spirituality Hand in Hand | Neuroscience Retreat
An introduction to Plum Village epistemology and a guide to reprogramming our store consciousness.
Br Phap Linh
Jump To Dharma Talks, Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Opening our Heart Wider
This Monastic Q&A was offered on 21st June 2023. as part of our Earth Holder Retreat “Love is Freedom”; it was recorded in New Hamlet, Plum Village France. The Dharma Teachers in the panel are srs. Dinh Nghiem, Hien Nghiem and brs. Phap Huu and Phap Linh.
Sr Dinh Nghiem, Sr Hiến Nghiêm, Br Phap Linh, Br Pháp Hữu
Q&A: Finding Balance | Br. Phap Linh, Br. Phap Kha, Sr. Hoi Nghiem, Sr. Dang Nghiem
0:00 Introduction by Brother Phap Linh 3:59 How can I stay true to my values while also being useful in my work? 14:46 With repeated manifestations of racism and the rise of the extreme right in the West, how not to lose respect and become hateful towards this western…
Br Phap Linh, Sr Hội Nghiêm, Sr Dang Nghiem
Questions & Answers
1. How do I deal with extra-couple sexual relationships? (1:10) 2. How much freewill do we have? (10:35) 3. How do I deal with unmindful consumption? (21:00) 4. How do I share a strong view with others? (33:22) 5. How should I practice the third mindfulness training, the part…