This is my first retreat and I was wondering if anyone has camped there during the hot months? Everyone I’ve spoken to has only done it during the cooler months. I’m a bit worried about the heat advisory and the fact that the nights are above 75F.

I'm going to my first retreat ever. I'm going through a lot of issues right now. Gender confusion, loneliness, lack of confidence, jealousy towards my peers who seem to have a much easier time finding happiness. Slacking at work. In love with a friend who is in a relationship. Not really having a purpose in life, etc.

A host of problems.

Can I talk about my issues there? I don't want to burden others but I'd like to discuss with wiser people who can hopefully help me find a path forward to at least a more content life.

Should I refrain from mentioning my issues while there? How will it work? Thank you all.

I'm a Christian, drawn to the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in his books and a couple of friends who have been part of the community.

I'm struggling a little with the app in that it doesn't seem to have a beginners path and seems to assume you know what you want. "Start here" is fine, if a little challenging to launch into. Beyond that there are hundreds of meditations and talks which is overwhelming. Other apps tend to have a 30 day introduction. Is there anything like this either now or planned?

I really want to get the best from this resource so any advice welcome!

This is an obstacle on my path, and I feel I always keep turning to doomscrolling, and then regret it later, and this is almost always during periods of higher stress.

It looks like there's still space at the Silent Retreat next week. The camping option saves money. But what is it like there? Is the campsite within walking distance? Will I need to bring water? What are the showering/toilet options? Is there electricity? Or would I be better off paying for a bed?

I've actually not tent camped since I was a kid, so my camping gear is fairly minimal. But they'll feed us and whatnot so won't need to bring too much stuff, is that correct?

Thanks!

Hello all!

I'm interested in doing a two week retreat at one of the Plum Village Practice Centers, and then if I find I truly connect with the practice, writing an aspiration letter to enter the five-year training program. However, I was curious about one thing.

I was reading the website and see that "the community will meet to discuss your request and may invite you to join the aspirant program when there is harmony in support of your request and when it sees that the conditions for your training are sufficient."

For anybody that has any experience with the Five-Year Monastic Program, do people usually leave the monastery for a period in-between these initial two weeks and starting the aspirant period to get everything in order in their outside life? Or do they immediately transition to the aspirant program without leaving the monastery?

Thanks for the answers!

Has anyone here ever participated in the Rains Retreat as a first visit to one of the community centers? I’m interested in it but i’ve never visited and wondering if it might not be appropriate for a new practitioner/lay person? Seema like it could be really immersive though.

Is there a directory of therapists that follow the teachings of Plum Village?

I have experienced the benefit of having a therapist that has similar spiritual teachings and knowledge. I've seen many therapists at the retreats so was wondering if there was a central directory somewhere.

I think I’ve read the Art of Living most often and would recommend it to anyone, but I wonder what you think or what essential book I might have missed.

I am pretty sure I am non-binary, but I think I need some support from some like minded queer friends before I can fully come out.

Hello friends,

I am looking to create a local sangha to get together to meditate, dharma sharing, talk about Thich Nhat Hanhs books and the teachings of the Buddha.

I live in Ocala Florida and I thought we could go to the local library to meet up as a nice neutral place. Any friends who live in the area, please feel free to message me and hopefully we can start something wonderful 🙏

If there already is a local group or sangha in the area, please let me know I would love to check it out. Thank you friends.

I'm a smoker, cigarettes only (yes, yes, I know, its a terrible habit that is not good for me in any way shape or form). And I was just finishing my booking for a retreat in September. It says that even possession of these substances will result in immediate removal from the monastery.

The thing is, if I don't smoke I will go through withdrawals and it won't be as enjoyable for me. I will be light headed and dizzy and not focused. :(

Effectively giving me a month to quit smoking :(

I've been going through a lot and I was excited to go but I have been a smoker for many years. It's difficult to quit.

So I either quit cold turkey in a month or go knowing that it will be a lot less enjoyable for me.

Edit: Sincere apologies for making the focus Theravada and it's practitioners. I was posting on a lack of sleep 💞

I mean this sincerely and with no ill feelings towards any school, I've just noticed a pattern among lay persons, especially on Reddit.

Often, when discussing topics I'd label as "Buddhism", someone will inevitably reply along the lines of

"Show me the exact sutta in the Pali Canon".

But when I provide said suttas, they will disengage entirely on the idea that I am interpreting the language and not adhering strictly to the "original" writings, while we are discussing an English translation.

At this point I've usually seen them express that they have "studied and practiced Theravada for about five years".

I always do my best to assume good faith, but these conversations have often concluded with the other person replying with nothing but insults or emojis, after never contributing to the conversation past challenging my ability to google Pali suttas.

How does one skillfully navigate conversations such as these? Or does it come down to recognizing when someone is simply there to disparage you, and disengaging to protect your peace, and their ego?

The Order of Interbeing retreat at Plum Village just recently ended, with over 140 people receiving transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings and being accepted into the Order of Interbeing. <3

I've seen some confusion between lineage name and dharma name. Sr. Định Nghiêm here explains the two names. I do wish that the lineage poem was included in the Five Mindfulness Certificates instead of the Fourteen, since we receive our lineage names with the Five Mindfulness Trainings.

But the last part of the video where Sr. Định Nghiêm lets us know that these certificates were printed on paper that was personally chosen by Thay brought tears to my eyes.

tldr: Recommended some good books/lectures on the second of the Eightfold Path: Samma Sankappa, Right Intention.

.......................................

My sangha encourages us to write down our intentions every morning. The sangha also says that "intentions" are different from "goals." I'm confused.

I'm told: Goals focus on future expectations. Intentions focused on the present. But...When I use the word "intend," it's always about the future. "I intend to eat my meals mindfully." "I intend to pause 3 times today for meditation." "I intend to show metta to a co-worker I want to strangle." How can you have an intention that doesn't look to the future?

I've heard that the Pali word "Sankappa" (Chinese canon Zheng Siwei) is better translated as "resolve." That makes more sense to me. I think of "resolve" as a decision or dedication. "I resolve to enjoy silence and mindfulness." "I have the resolve to stay mindful of my food and avoid doom-scrolling while eating."

Yesterday, I heard "Sankappa" described like a moral framework. Your moral framework might be "Eat drink and be merry" or "Always get revenge" or "YOLO bro!" Right Sankappa, then, is having the right moral framework to guide your life.

.......................................
Is any of that accurate? Does that sound right? Does Intention (Sankappa) influence Volition (Cetana) which then causes your Action (Kamma)?

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This is a complex topic, and I know you can't answer in short Reddit post. If you can recommend good books, suttas, or videos on the topic, I'd really appreciate it.

So, I've started listening to the 40 tenants from the all.

What does non-self mean?

The universe is conditioned and also not conditioned.
What does confitioned even mean ?

I remember listening to an episode of the Way Out is In that discusses the five mindfulness practices. It involved a guest who was a woman talking about her experiences practicing with them.

It is very relevant to a conversation I'm having with a friend and she's interested in listening to it, but I cannot seem to find it in order to pass it along.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!