7-Day Retreat at Healing Spring

A week inside the rhythm of a monastery can change how you carry the rest of your life. At the 7-Day Retreat at Healing Spring, you set down the pace of daily obligations and let the bell, the breath and the quiet company of others set the tempo. It is a mindfulness retreat built on simplicity, rest, and the nourishment of collective peace.

Held at Healing Spring Monastery in Thénac, Dordogne, in the Plum Village tradition, the retreat has no special theme. You live alongside the monastic brothers and follow the daily life of the community, learning and deepening your meditation with monastics and other lay practitioners. A monastic Dharma teacher from Healing Spring guides the week. For a seeker who wants to experience mindfulness as a way of living rather than a concept, this is a rare chance.

The retreat welcomes people of all genders and levels of experience. Beginners will find a clear, unhurried introduction, and long-time practitioners can renew their connection to a living sangha. One past participant described it as "wonderful" and "very strengthening for my practice and mental health."

What to Expect

The week follows the natural activities of the monastic community, so the days are simple and repeating. Practice includes:

- Sitting meditation
- Walking meditation
- Mindful meals
- Service to the community
- Sharing with other participants
- Teachings from the Dharma teacher

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 room for sharing and conversation during the day. Some days, you may also practice alongside visitors who come for a Day of Mindfulness on Sunday.

You will leave with a deeper meditation practice and a sense of what it feels like to slow down and be held by a community. Like all programs in this tradition, the retreat embraces impermanence. If conditions require it, elements of the schedule may be adjusted, rescheduled or cancelled.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Healing Spring Monastery, listed here in Thénac, Dordogne. The program is in English only. Check-in begins at 3:00 pm on the arrival day, Friday, and check-out begins at 9:00 am on the departure day, Thursday. Three vegan meals are served each day.

Participants must be 18 or older. Children and teenagers may come with you, but there is no special program for them. You remain fully responsible for their care, and some adult activities may not be open to them. Because the monastery is a home for monks, the retreat may at times have more men than women.

The contribution is a donation that supports the monastery and depends on your financial situation. Your reservation is confirmed after payment. Those who are able are encouraged to choose a higher rate, which supports the monastic community and helps participants facing financial difficulty. Reductions are available based on individual need, though not a full 100% reduction.