Dear friends,

We’re so happy that you will be able to join us for the online retreat we call "Cultivating True Love in the Presence of Suffering." The monastics have been joyfully preparing and learning how to offer this new form of retreat. We look forward to going on this adventure together as a monastic and lay community as we learn the ins and outs of doing a retreat online.

The retreat starts right now as you follow your in- and out-breath, and read and listen to the introductory sessions below. Since it will be a retreat from home, you will not need any time to arrange for your travel, pack your suitcase, or spend a day (or more) on a train/ bus/ car/ plane… that’s so eco-friendly, too!

But how can you create the energy of a Plum Village retreat at home? 

Here are some tips from the organizing team for you to pick and choose from. 

Getting ready:

• identify your retreat space
• de-clutter it
• create an inspiring center-piece
• set up a table for your computer (so you can sit with your back and neck upright while following online.... and don't forget a power source!)
• experiment with different sitting cushions, a mat, a chair etc, to be sure you will be comfortable
• print out your gift Calligraphies and meditation poems.

Sister Boi Nghiem explains how to prepare yourself and your home to ensure your retreat will be a success:

Your Practice Space

Create a place that nourishes you. Using candles, inspiring images, a beautiful card or calligraphy, flowers and incense can be supportive for creating a retreat atmosphere at home. The Plum Village monastics enjoy creating this atmosphere before new friends arrive for the next retreat. Just imagine decorating your own personal (small scale) meditation hall or breathing room.

Having beautiful practice spaces can support everyone in the family immensely during your retreat at home. 

It can be a room in your apartment or a corner in your room, or even a place outside (where you have good internet connection). Choose a place that feels harmonious to you all and fits with your current living situation. Maybe you could choose a place near a window, so you can turn your gaze away from the screen and look outside from time to time. 

Arrange your space to create a quality of being that supports you in your practice. In general, it helps if this place allows for calmness to arise and any disorderliness in the room to be out of your visual field. This may or may not involve cleaning your space and removing or covering in creative ways everything that might distract you. 

If you already have such a space, you can refresh it, remove dust and rearrange it. Remove everything that is no longer relevant for your practice. Be creative, and follow your intuition. 

Suggested book for inspiration: Making Space: Creating a Home Meditation Practice

Practicing with Screen Time

We are aware that many of us have had quite a lot of screen time lately. We invite you to be aware of your body and your eyes during the retreat and to check in with yourself regularly. During some sessions, you can easily close your eyes or not look at the screen, e.g. sitting, walking, total relaxation. Also during a talk you can close your eyes or look out of your window from time to time while still listening and being present. 

What else? 

• You may also like to prepare a journal and pen or pencil.
• And maybe some nice tea or drink, that you can enjoy during the sessions.
• If you like, you can also let loved ones or friends outside of your family know that you will not be available via email, WhatsApp etc., because you are on a retreat (except, if there is an emergency, they can of course call you.)