In short: a Plum Village retreat is a gentle, community retreat in the Zen tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Days mix sitting and walking meditation, mindful meals, working meditation, a Dharma talk and small sharing groups, with noble silence from evening until after breakfast. Beginners and families are welcome. Book through the practice centre's own website.
What is a typical day like?
Every centre sets its own schedule, but a retreat day often looks like this:
- Early morning: sitting meditation and chanting, in noble silence.
- Breakfast: eaten mindfully, often in silence.
- Morning: a Dharma talk by a monastic, then walking meditation outdoors.
- Lunch: a mindful meal, followed by rest.
- Afternoon: working meditation (cooking, cleaning, gardening) or Dharma sharing in small groups.
- Evening: sitting meditation or a guided relaxation, then noble silence until after breakfast.
Read the full guide
The practices you will learn
- Mindful breathing and returning to the breath when the bell sounds.
- Walking meditation: slow, relaxed steps in rhythm with the breath.
- Mindful eating: eating slowly, with gratitude, often in silence.
- Dharma sharing: speaking from your own experience and listening deeply to others.
- Working meditation: everyday tasks done with full attention.
How is it different from other retreats?
Compared with a 10-day silent vipassana course, Plum Village retreats are shorter, gentler and more social: there is talking, singing and community life, and fewer hours of formal sitting. Compared with a Zen sesshin, there is less emphasis on long sitting periods and strict form. Read vipassana vs Zen and how to choose your first retreat.
How do I go?
- Choose a centre from our list of Plum Village practice centres.
- Read the retreat page on its website and book: popular retreats fill early.
- Pack comfortable, modest clothes and walking shoes: what to bring.
Not ready to travel? Try a 1-minute breathing practice or find a group near you.
Questions people ask
Do I need experience to go on a Plum Village retreat?
No. Retreats are open to beginners, families and people of any faith. The monks and nuns teach the practices from the first day.
Is a Plum Village retreat silent?
Partly. Noble silence is kept from the evening until after breakfast, and some activities are silent. There is also time for talking, including small Dharma sharing groups.
Where are the Plum Village practice centres?
The main centre is in the Dordogne in France. There are monasteries in the USA, Germany, Asia and Australia; see our list of Plum Village practice centres.