Young people have been coming to Plum Village for many years to find depth and direction in their lives. The practice is very important to them and Plum Village has be come like their second home. For some young people, the aspiration to become a monk or nun was watered --and they made the step to join the community for their whole life -- a big commitment.
Recently, (this summer at the Nottingham, UK retreat) Thay announced that the young people in the Wake Up movement will have the oppurtunity to serve and train as monks and nuns for a period of 5 years. During these 5 years they will live and practice exactly as the monks and nuns do. After 5 years, they may continue as a monastic if they want, or they can pursue becoming a lay Dharma teacher. Thay has compared this training to an intensive study program that will offer benefits for our whole life.
Curently, the monks and nuns are working to elaborate the details of the program, but there will be strong support -- Plum Village may become more and more a refuge for young people --a sort of youth retreat during the whole year.
Those who are interested in joining the first wave of the program may like to attend the winter retreat in Plum Village starting at the end of November. Please see the PV website for more info.
We are delighted to tell you that this October Wake Up, the Young Quakers and the World Community of Christian Meditation (WCCM) will come together for a weekend to share being young and meditative at the beautiful Hampstead Friends Meeting House in North-West London.
Sister Jina gives an indepth explanation on sitting meditation. She teaches about posture and howto meditate. This video was recorded in Plum Village Upper Hamlet during the Youth Retreat 2010 on 23 august.
TTT Sangha (Vietnamese Youth Sangha) would like to share with you their experience with mindful eating last summer in Plum Village...If you got the same experience, please let them know ;) Enjoy your meal!
During the summer opening 2010 in Plum Village the young adults in Upper Hamlet between 18 and 32 joined the Watering seeds of aspiration family. Some stayed for the whole 4 weeks, others joined only for 1,2 or 3 weeks. The young people together formed a nice energy, that soon felt very safe. We enjoyed deep sharings, games, total relaxation with japanese flute or harmonica, different kind of workshops, like a deep ecology workshop, Q&A with the young monastics and of course joined the sangha on the normal schedule.
This rap came from some "deep looking" from our teen group: "OK, today we are going to save the world - yes we can! What are the problems, what are the reasons, what are the solutions?" This was followed by a brainstorming session that later transformed into a rap song performed at our be-in on the last day of the retreat... maybe you'll see a video version some day!
What's happening! The war in Iraq, Israel and Palestine, famine, identity crisis - needing to fit in - Depression, frustration, dissatisfaction and discrimination - Where's the solution? We develop communication and cultivate compassion, But we've borrowed too much from the Earth, We're facing global warming and resources out-running because of short term thinking and all the money making. Now is our new beginning - Let's learn about recycling, let's share a building, or a forest - Remember, use less, don't waste. Don't eat with such haste, don't ruin the taste. Relieve your anger, join the Sangha. There's too much deception, lying and desire for power. We've got to STOP (bell) - so we can see ourselves...
Young people have been coming to Plum Village for many years to find depth and direction in their lives. The practice is very important to them and Plum Village has be come like their second home. For some young people, the aspiration to become a monk or nun was watered --and they made the step to join the community for their whole life -- a big commitment.
