New Years 2019 : A Mindful Week-long Journey at Plum Village
Many from all over the world visit Plum Village throughout the year. I personally was intrigued by the idea of Plum Viillage when I booked swapped with a friend in India and read “Transformation and Healing” by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The description of Plum Village in the books intrigued me, and a little over a year after reading “Transformation and Healing”, and “Being Peace” I decided to book my week long stay at Plum Village.
I chose to go for the New Years week retreat with the preconceived notion of beginning 2019, in a new place, around new people, and practicing new rituals. The concept of ‘Beginning New” was a common theme throughout my stay at Plum Village and their New Years celebration is one I will never forget and has forever altered my life.
What is the ‘Beginning Anew’ Process?
Read about it here: https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/beginning-anew/
Logistically, it is wonderfully easy to get yourself to Plum Village by train from Bordeaux (renting a car is also an potion). Additionally, the sisters and brothers are happy to correspond and aide with all inquires via email prior to your stay. (Most prevalent information is on their website https://plumvillage.org/retreats/visiting-us/ so do your research and reading in advance)
Upon arriving to the Lower Hamlet, I was immediately in awe of this tranquil community tucked away in the small town of Loubès-Bernac, France. This small, catholic village full of local wineries and vast farming land has embraced the Buddhist Monastery, facilitating a warm community and property for Plume Village to grow.
Plume Village has 3 hamlets in different locations of Loubès-Bernac:
1) Upper Hamlet: All the male munks live here, and invite all single men to stay here. Couples and Families are also welcome to stay at this hamlet (Thich Nhat Hanh lived here and this is where you will find the famous field of Buddha’s).
2) Lower Hamlet: The sisters live here and welcome single women, couples and families (this was the first and oldest hamlet built).
Upper Hamlet & Lower Hamlet are located close enough to walk (35-45 minutes apart), where as New Hamlet is only driving distance away from the other hamlets.
3) New Hamlet: The sisters live here and welcome single women, couples and families.
Plume Village is incredibly warm and welcoming to children of all ages.
On the first day everyone checks in, is taken on a tour and instructed on where they will be staying for the week. Some stay on the grounds of the Lower Hamlet in community rooms or cabin style housing, or, as in my case, accommodations in a home located close to Lower Hamlet (5 minute drive and 30 minute walk). Those that have been following Thich Nhat Hanhs teachings and have been engaged in a corresponding Sangha for a number of years generously provide their homes for retreat goers to stay throughout their stay. Additionally, there were a number of families who had rented Air BnB’s and rented cars to use during their stay.
What is a Sangha?
A group of people who are Buddhist practitioners and have taken the 5 or 14 mindfulness training developed and modeled by Thich Nhat Hanh. These Sanghas are created by indvudulas wanting to come together in community and practice together in their home towns. There are Sanhas all over the world. Find one near you https://plumvillage.org/about/international-sangha-directory/
5 Mindfulness Training: https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/the-5-mindfulness-trainings/
14 Mindfulness Training: https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/the-14-mindfulness-trainings/
In the evening on the first day, we are given an orientation of the week’s schedule, followed by a relaxing meditation and the beginning of active silence. Active silence practices are practiced most evenings after meditation and until after breakfast the following morning for the remainder of the retreat.
The basic weekly schedule changes slightly from retreat to retreat and based on weather. During the summer there are more outdoor activities and the hamlets come together more often then in the winter months.
Over all on a daily basis the schedule will look something like this:
5:00am: Wake Up Bell
6:00am: Sitting Meditation
(followed by Sutra Reading / Touching the Earth / Slow Walking Meditation)
7:30am: Breakfast
9am: Dharma Talk / Class / Presentation / Working Meditation
11:30am: Walking meditation (outdoors)
12:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm: Rest / Optional Guided Relaxation
3pm: Working Meditation
6pm: Light dinner
8pm: Dharma Discussion, Personal study time, Sitting Meditation or other collective practice
9.30pm: Noble Silence begins
10pm: Lights out
What was particularly special about my week spend at Plume Village was the New Years Celebration. I learned while there, that Plume Village is a particularly special Buddhist monastery, because as they do offer, teach and practice, silence, mindfulness practices and tranquility, they also encourage and enjoying elaborate celebrations. Not only do those visiting Plume Village enjoy these celebrations, they are also attended by those in the village and surrounding areas; hundreds of people attend some of the summer festivals and celebrations. I personally found this aspect of the monastery very inviting and provided a new perspective to how a monastery, who’s lifestyles and views are very different from those in the outside world, freely opens their doors to the communities around them. (And at no charge at all! The brothers and sisters are thrilled to have as many people as possible there to, share a meal, to sit in meditation, and to enjoy in the festivities together)
What was particularly special about the week I spent at Plume Village was attending their New Years Celebration. Words will never to justice to how incredible the experience was to watch. The evening started with a Dharma Talk by a wonderful brother who has traveled with Thich Nhat Hanh all over the world. He spoke of the meaning of “commitments’ and how if we can not hold true to our small commitments it will be all the more difficult to remain true to our larger commitments.
After the Dharma Talk, we all ate a remarkable meal in silence and then enjoyed a handful of theatrical performance created by the brothers, sisters and those visiting. There was a great deal of singing; one band in particular comes to mind, they called themselves “The Bald Eagles” (get it? haha). Another talented bunch created and performed a hilarious spoof called “ Lord of the Thing”. These young people are remarkably talented and creative, it was a hilarious and tremendous to watch.
The evening ended with deep relaxation and at midnight, seated sound baths with the use of bells and massive gongs. I can, to this day, feel the vibrations produced within me from the sound of these musical instruments. Active silence was again implemented once the evening came to close and we all went back to our respected sleeping areas.
Dharma Talks:
Because Thich Nath Hanh (his students affectionately refer to him as ‘Thay’ - pronounce ‘tay’ or ‘tie’ - which is Vietnamese for “teacher”) is ill, the brothers and sisters alternate the dharma talks between them, always refereeing to Thay, and all he has taught them during their time with him over the years. It is apparent there is sadness surrounding Thays impending passing (he is currently spending his last days in Vietnam surrounded by his brothers, sisters & loved ones). Despite this dramatic change to Plume Villages environment, you can clearly see how much the fellowship of monks and nuns love, support and help each other. They are working together to ensure Plume Village runs just as it did with Thay there, and it is, they are doing incredible work keeping the vision and philosophies alive despite their teacher being gone and sadly, will never return to them (at leased not in physical form).
Upon leaving Plume Village, it felt as though I was leaving my family behind. I was made to feel so safe, embraced, heard and cared for during my visit, I desperately wanted to take Plume Village home with me. I have found a Sangha in Vancouver, but admittedly have only attended one meeting since my return. I look forward to immersing myself further in my local Sangha and dream of the day I will return to Plume Village for, undoubtedly, another incredible experience.
“Life is not about getting to a certain place. Life is a path. Walking meditation is a way to practice walking without a goal or intention.” ~ Thich Nath Hanh