Various Meditation Practices
Guided sitting meditation
Plum Village's "sitting meditation" is not so much zazen as it is a very gentle sitting meditation. It is done for about 30 minutes every morning, guided by a monk. While noticing your breathing and smiling, sit relaxed and solidly, like Mt. Fuji...
Sometimes it's just about going outside and being in nature.
Deep Relaxation Meditation
Relax your whole body and lie face up on the ground. Following the monk's meditation guidance, send the energy of mindfulness to each part of your body and internal organs, releasing tension and relaxing.
Walking Meditation
Without a set destination, I walk, savoring each and every step.
"The mind wanders in many directions
But I walk this beautiful path with ease
With every step, a gentle breeze blows
With every step, a flower blooms."
-Thich Nhat Hanh-
Singing Meditation
The teachings of Plum Village are also conveyed as poems called gathas. We all sing songs that have melodies set to these verses. Depending on the song, we even add hand gestures! There are also songs with Japanese lyrics. You may be confused at first, but it's such a fun practice that you'll soon want to sing along on your own.
Eating Meditation
Eat each bite mindfully. Every bite contains the life of the sun and the earth. You can even see and taste the entire universe in a single piece of bread!
▼Practicing eating meditation (4.5 minute video)
Mindful Movements
This is mindfulness through physical movement. There are ten different types of mindful exercises, and they are simple and easy to do on your own or with someone else.
Touching the Earth
By connecting firmly with the earth, we let go of the idea of being separate and realize that we are the earth, a part of life.
Touching the Earth
By connecting firmly with the earth, we let go of the idea of being separate and realize that we are the earth, a part of life.
Noble Silence
At Plum Village retreats, we observe deep silence from the end of the evening meditation until the end of breakfast the next day. During this time, we allow the silence to permeate our flesh and blood. We also allow the mindfulness and the energy of the Sangha to permeate our body and mind.
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Dharma Sharing
It is a precious time to share each person's experiences, joys, problems, realizations, etc. with others. When you speak, practice speaking from your heart. When others speak, practice "deep listening," and strive to create a safe and secure space where people can be accepted calmly while cultivating a compassionate heart.
Chanting
The monks chant sutras, some even moving to tears at the beautiful sounds.
Dharma Talk
The teaching of truth (Dharma) is like the merciful rain that nourishes the earth. Let the merciful rain of Dharma permeate deep into our conscious and unconscious minds, watering the seeds of wisdom and compassion that are already there.
The Dharma Rain from the Dharma Teachers at Plum Village is a shower of blessings that allows our trees to blossom and bear the fruits of compassion and understanding.
What is Sangha?
In Buddhism, a community that practices together is called a "Sangha." In order to have a more fulfilling practice, the energy of the Sangha that supports each other is important. When you practice mindfulness, you naturally come to see the importance of connections and bonds with other people.
When mindfulness becomes part of the collective Sangha energy, it brings about greater healing, transformation and peace within each individual.
"Mindfulness alone is too weak; let the energy of the Sangha help you."
"Be not a drop of water, but the river of the Sangha and flow with it."
"I am always with the Sangha"
- Thich Nhat Hanh -
Buddha of the 21st Century
Individual mindfulness practice will eventually create harmony and friendship with family, friends, and those around us, which will then become the foundation for peace in society and the entire world... That is why the energy of the Sangha, which practices mindfulness together, is so important.
Thich Nhat Hanh says:
"The Buddha of the 21st Century is the Sangha"
On the Plum Village Monastic Group Mindfulness Japan Tour, we hope you will enjoy mindfulness training to the fullest and immerse your body and mind in the warm, smiling sangha energy of Plum Village.
*For a detailed explanation of the practice, please see Thich Nhat Hanh's Happiness Meditation (Tokuma Shoten).
This is Thich Nhat Hanh's essential guide to mindfulness meditation.
In order to further enrich the mindfulness experience during the Plum Village Monastic Group Mindfulness Japan Tour 2025 ,
① Read this book before participating.
②Bring this book.
I would recommend that you do so.
Well then, everyone.
We look forward to seeing you at the Plum Village Sangyodan Mindfulness Japan Tour 2025. We look forward to seeing you!