Christmas Holiday Retreat

The Christmas season can be loud, and it often leaves little room for rest. This five-day wellness retreat at Healing Spring Monastery offers a different way through it: slowing down, resting, and coming home to what the retreat calls your inner island, as well as to a spiritual family.

Held in the Plum Village tradition of mindfulness, the Christmas Holiday Retreat is led by the monastic Dharma teachers of Healing Spring Monastery, near Paris. You live alongside the monastic community and other lay practitioners during the monastic Rain Retreat, and learn to bring mindfulness into ordinary daily life. Beginners and experienced meditators are equally welcome. One past participant described it as "very strengthening for my practice and mental health."

If you are looking for a quiet, nourishing way to spend the days around Christmas, with simple practice, shared meals and a sangha to hold it, this retreat is designed for that.

What to Expect

The program is simple and gentle. Days are built around the core practices of the tradition:

- Sitting meditation and walking meditation
- Mindful meals
- Service to the community
- Sharing with other participants
- Dharma teachings from the monastic community

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 time for sharing and connection.

You will leave with a deeper experience of meditation, a taste of monastic life, and a feeling of being nourished by peace and togetherness. The organizers note that, in keeping with the nature of impermanence, elements of the program may be adjusted, rescheduled or cancelled if conditions require.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Healing Spring Monastery, a monastery near Paris. The language of the retreat is English only. Three vegan meals are provided each day.

The retreat is open to participants aged 18 and over, of all genders. Because the monastery is a home for monks, men may sometimes form the majority of the group. Children and teenagers may come with you, but there is no special program for them, so you remain fully responsible for their care. Some adult activities may not be suitable for them. Some participants stay only for the weekend.

The contribution is a donation that supports the monastery and depends on your financial situation. Your reservation is confirmed after payment. Higher contribution rates are encouraged where possible, as they support the monastic communities and help participants facing financial difficulty. Reductions are available based on individual need, although a full reduction is not offered.