New Year Holiday Retreat – 5 Days

The turn of the year invites us to stop and look at how we are living. At the New Year Holiday Retreat, a five-day wellness retreat at Healing Spring Monastery in Thénac, Dordogne, that pause is the whole point. Instead of carrying a list of resolutions into January, you spend the threshold days breathing, resting, and touching the peace and clarity already within you.

The retreat is held in the Plum Village tradition and led by the monastic Dharma teachers of Healing Spring Monastery. Together you practice mindfulness, opening the heart and mind to see yourself, others, and the world with fresh awareness and compassion. Beginners and experienced meditators are equally welcome. A past participant described it as "wonderful" and "very strengthening for my practice and mental health."

If you are looking for a quiet, nourishing way to close one year and begin the next, held within a monastic community, this retreat offers a simple program that asks only that you slow down.

What to Expect

The days follow a gentle rhythm shared with the monastic community and other lay practitioners. The program includes:

- Sitting meditation and walking meditation
- Mindful meals
- Service to the community
- Sharing and Dharma teachings

Mornings generally begin around 6:30 am. Noble silence starts at 9:30 pm and continues until the next morning, after the breakfast dishes are washed. This is not a whole-day silent retreat, so there is also room for sharing and togetherness.

The atmosphere is unhurried and supportive, with the emphasis on rest, recharging, and learning to deepen your meditation practice among others. Participants leave with a steadier connection to their own breath and presence, and with practices they can carry into the new year. As with all Plum Village programs, the schedule embraces impermanence, so elements of the retreat may be adjusted, rescheduled, or cancelled if conditions require.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Healing Spring Monastery, which is home to a community of monks. All genders are welcome, though the majority at times may be men. The retreat is open to adults aged 18 and over. You may bring children or teenagers, but there is no special program for them, and you remain fully responsible for their care. Some adult activities may not be suitable for them.

The retreat is taught in English only. Three vegan meals are provided each day. Some participants stay only for the weekend, so the group may change during the retreat.

The contribution is a donation that supports the monastery and its communities, and you choose a level that suits your financial situation. Those who can are encouraged to give at a higher rate, which also helps participants facing financial difficulty. Reductions based on individual need are available, although full reductions are not offered. Your reservation is confirmed after payment.