“The Beloved Community” ~ US Teaching Tour 2023

“I Have Arrived, I Am Home” Retreat, Magnolia Grove Monastery

August 30, 2023 – September 3, 2023

Join the monastic community founded by Thich Nhat Hanh as they host retreats at Plum Village monasteries in New York, Mississippi, and California, continuing the legacy of the beloved Zen Master. We joyfully invite you to practice with us in the upcoming retreats and days of mindfulness, and learn how you can bring the miracle of mindfulness into your daily life.

The theme of this year’s US Teaching Tour is “The Beloved Community,” and will be guided by the Monastic Disciples of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in the Plum Village tradition. Monastics from Blue Cliff Monastery in New York, Magnolia Grove Monastery in Mississippi, and Deer Park Monastery in California will gather for this tour.

As a part of our US Teaching Tour, we invite you to join us for a special retreat experience, “I have Arrived, I am Home,” where we will share the opportunity to look closely at teachings and practices of mindfulness that can bring joy and harmony into our lives. Come and join us for five days of cultivating peace as a community, from August 30, 2023 to September 3, 2023.

You may have seen the phrase: “Peace in Oneself, Peace in the World,” in Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s calligraphy. Peace, serenity and freedom are ours, in this very moment. During this retreat, we will look deeply into the causes and conditions that produce peace, and we will learn the principles and practices that transform our consciousness toward peace. With those same principles and practices, we can begin to bring peace to our communities and in our relationship with Mother Earth. The monastics invite you to return to the world of the present moment, and we will practice this together during this beautiful event.

We welcome families, couples, and individuals of all ages to join us during this joyful time of living mindfully together.The “I Have Arrived, I Am Home” retreat is a time to be nourished by deep yet accessible teachings, in the harmony and splendor of the fall countryside and the joy of community. We will use the practices of mindfulness to touch the miracles of life, in the midst of the mundane. During this retreat, we will take refuge in simple but transformative daily mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, sitting meditation and eating meditation. We will also have the opportunity to receive mindfulness teachings through Dharma Talks, and strengthen our capacities for mindful breathing, deep listening, and loving speech through the practices of Deep Relaxation,Touching of the Earth, Beginning Anew, and Dharma Sharing.

The monastics will offer programs for all ages, including a Children’s Program dedicated to children ages 6-12 and Teen program for those ages 13-17. The first part of our Dharma talks are dedicated to our children, and parents are welcome to volunteer to support in the children’s program if they would like.

This is an opportunity to come together as a spiritual family and cultivate togetherness. It is also an opportunity for us to refresh our relationships with not only our families, but our relationship with Mother Earth and our ancestors as well. We will practice to allow ourselves to arrive at the home within ourselves, our true home. It is a wonderful retreat for those new to mindfulness practice in the Plum Village tradition, those who have previously attended retreats, as well as for anyone interested in mindful community life. We welcome the participation of people from all backgrounds, and we are committed to fostering a practice environment where all may touch the Dharma and find healing, transformation and nourishment.

Please consider making a donation 

In many traditions, we practice dana by making monetary offerings for the teachings and the teachers.

For the Beloved Community tour, all US-based monastics will travel to each center to host retreats. We would like to keep the retreat costs affordable so as many friends can attend as possible. If you are able, please consider making a donation in addition to your retreat fee to help support this special US tour.

We bow in gratitude for your generosity.

We hope to make the retreat accessible to all. Please do not hesitate to contact our office (office@magnoliagrovemonastery.org) if you need financial support to attend this retreat and/or if you have any special needs or concerns.

Register for the retreat.

This is a four-night retreat. Prices include the cost of all activities, three meals per day and lodging.

• DORM/CABIN bed in a shared room $100 per night
• TENT / RV/COMMUTER $60 per night. (For RV camping: unfortunately we do not have any electrical or water hookups available. You’re very welcome to come with your RV, but please prepare for dry camping accordingly.)

Discounts for seniors & students 20%.

The following nearby hotels kindly offer a special rate to retreatants of the monastery:

Holiday Inn : (662) 563-1234)
Days Inn : (662) 563-4999
Quality Inn : (662) 563-6592)

Please ask for Magnolia Rate when making reservations.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

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* Do you need a ride or can offer a ride to/from Memphis airport? Please click here to fill out the Google form. We will send you confirmation 3-5 days before the retreat starts.