Day of Mindfulness: December 20

This Day of Mindfulness at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California, is an in-person day of practice in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It is open to newcomers and experienced practitioners alike, and offers a full morning of walking meditation, a Dharma talk and the recitation of the Five Mindfulness Trainings, led by the monastic community, with the Dharma talk given by Sister Ao Nghiem. The day runs from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and advance registration is required.

What to Expect

The gate opens between 8:00 and 10:00 in the morning to receive registered visitors. At 9:00 the day begins with outdoor walking meditation, done at a gentle pace. At 10:15 Sister Ao Nghiem gives a Dharma talk in Vietnamese with English translation. During the talk, a children's program is offered for ages 6 to 12, so families can attend together.

At 11:30 the community recites the Five Mindfulness Trainings, a core ethical practice of the Plum Village tradition. Lunch follows at 12:30, eaten in the company of the community, and the day ends at 2:00 in the afternoon. The schedule is tentative, and events take place rain or shine.

Members of the Order of Interbeing are welcome on any Day of Mindfulness without registering, and are invited to come wearing their brown jacket.

About Sister Ao Nghiem

Sister Ao Nghiem is a member of the monastic community at Deer Park Monastery and gives the Dharma talk for this day. She speaks in Vietnamese, and her talk is translated into English for those who need it.

The Setting

Deer Park Monastery sits at Melru Lane in Escondido, in San Diego County, and is part of the international Plum Village community. Guests use the meditation hall and the dining hall during the day. Transportation to the monastery is not provided, so plan your own way there. The monastery is currently raising support to reopen and renew its grounds, and it relies on donations to keep welcoming guests throughout the year.

Before You Go

No prior experience is needed. Walking and sitting practices are done at a gentle pace, and the program is offered in Vietnamese and English.

- Registration: Advance registration is required. These days regularly sell out, so register early. If a day is full, check back, since spots open up when people cancel. There is no waiting list. Registered guests can cancel through their Eventbrite account, or by contacting the registration office if they have no account.
- Lunch: Please bring your own vegan or vegetarian lunch. The monastery is currently unable to provide one.
- Dress: Please dress modestly for the whole visit. Sleeves should cover the shoulders (short sleeves are fine), shirts should cover the midriff and back, and pants or skirts should be loose-fitting and cover the knees whether standing or sitting. Casual clothes are fine. Shorts, tank tops and tight-fitting clothing are not appropriate.
- Donation: Participation is supported by donation, which is greatly appreciated. Donation boxes are in the meditation and dining halls, and giving is also possible online.

To learn more about the practices woven into the day, the monastery offers a video series called Essential Practices of Mindful Living.