Wellbeing Retreat 2026

Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos—the trees, the clouds, everything.

Thich Nhat Hanh

From 8 to 15 May, 2026, New Hamlet hosted a Wellbeing Retreat for the body and mind with the theme “There is no way to wellness, wellness is the way.”

Thay has often said that “We humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting and relaxing. We worry too much. We don’t allow our bodies to heal, and we don’t allow our minds and hearts to heal.”

During this week, we enjoyed cultivating wellbeing and healing our body and mind by slowing down and pausing, allowing our bodies and minds to rest through the practices of sitting and walking meditation, mindful exercises, hiking in nature, and deep relaxation.

We nourished ourselves with Dharma talks about the Four Pillars of Health, Mindful Consumption, and No-birth/ No-death, as well as presentations on the Five Mindfulness Trainings (the art of mindful living) and the practice of Beginning Anew (the art of mindful communication). In different workshop offerings, we also learned how to connect to inner peace through calligraphy and how to create space in ourselves through posture.

We benefited from mindful eating in silence: eating oil-free and sugar-free food that was cooked lovingly by the Sisters. Through the practices of Dharma sharing, mindful service, and dinner in families, we were able to deeply appreciate our connection with spiritual friends and to feel supported by the beautiful collective energy of our beloved community.

We invite you to enjoy some of these precious moments in this photo album.

There is no way to wellness, wellness is the way… hiking in the beautiful French countrysideArriving with total relaxationSister Dinh Nghiem’s Dharma talk about the Four Pillars of healthListen, listen, this wonderful sound brings me back to my true homeSupporting the sangha through mindful serviceJoyful cooking teamDinner in familiesDharma talk by Sister Thuan NghiemNourishing our hearts by singing togetherPracticing loving speech and deep listening in Dharma sharingBeginning Anew presentationPracticing mindful communicationConnecting with nature on beautiful daily hikes5 Mindfulness Trainings PresentationBamboo stick chi kungEarly morning yogaQuestions and responsesEnjoying deep relaxationSunrise sitting meditationWalking meditationSavoring the present momentCalligraphy WorkshopWorkshop on Finding Space in PostureIncense offering in the Five Mindfulness Trainings Transmission CeremonyIn gratitude to our spiritual ancestorsTouching the EarthChanting the Heart SutraReceiving the 5 Mindfulness Trainings CertificateDharma talk by Sister Chan DucCollective creativity in the Be-InOffering flowers of appreciationIt is a new day… I aspire to live it mindfully, taking care of the wellbeing of my body and mind…

You are warmly invited to practice with us this July for our Summer Opening retreat. We still have some availability in Upper Hamlet and New Hamlet.

For those who are experienced practitioners in the Plum Village tradition, New Hamlet is also still accepting volunteers for the Summer Opening retreat.

Young adults (ages 18 – 35) may also enjoy joining us for our Wake Up retreat from 10-17 August, 2026.