In this online retreat we will explore together how we can cultivate mindfulness and peace while we are engaged in the world.
Many of us are wholeheartedly and tirelessly engaged to create a more beautiful world through peace, climate and social justice activism in different ways. Because we work with dedication and in often challenging environments, many of us are facing the risk of burn-out or experience frustration and despair. How can we be engaged and face suffering, and still take good care of ourselves and our happiness?
The practice of mindfulness can help us to touch peace and joy within and gives us the strength to continue our actions. A deep ambition to help the world is not enough, if we don’t know how to take care of our own body and mind. That is why it is so important to learn the art of stopping, to embrace our strong emotions like anger or fear and nourish our peace and happiness. Thanks to the practice of walking meditation, mindful breathing, sitting meditation and mindful eating, we will cultivate the ability to stop, relax and allow ourselves to deeply touch the wonders of life, that are always available in the present moment. Coming from this place of connection with ourselves, we can better communicate our care to those within and beyond the activist movement.
In this retreat we will create a safe(r) space in which each of us can learn and heal, so that we can strengthen our deep aspiration to achieve the change we want to see, and be a stable refuge for those who need us.
We will hear talks from teachers from Plum Village as well as sharings from people who already practice ‘mindful activism’, learn how to meditate together, take part in circle-sharing, connect with like-minded people and have time for ourselves, to rest and reflect.
This live-streamed retreat is being organized by nuns and monks from Plum Village and members of Wake Up.
Course Curriculum
Update April 2020
Dear friends, this was our very first live-streamed online retreat ever! Originally, we intended to meet with activists in the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in March 2020 and only one week before our in-person retreat we heard it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis. So... we gathered ourselves and in a short week's time we put all our determination, inventiveness and skills together to create an online live-streamed retreat instead! We had a lot of fun experimenting and learning about this new way to share the practice with about 40 activists from around the world. Read this article by one of our participants to find out how they experienced the retreat.
We are happy to share most of the content and recordings with those who could not participate live. We hope that our (authentic and beautifully imperfect ;) offering can support you on your path to take care of yourself, others and the Earth. Simply register below, and please consider giving a donation to the Plum Village community, who at this particularly challenging time could use extra support in providing food and healthcare for the monastics.
May this retreat be of benefit to you and all those you support through your beautiful actions.
A lotus for you,
The organising team of the Mindful Action Retreat 2020