The Toronto-area Plum Village Sanghas invite you to join us for our annual Health and Wellness Retreat led by Plum Village monastic Brother Phap Lu at Dharma River Mindful Living Centre.

Address: 6908 Sideroad 2 W, Mount Forest, ON N0G 2L0
Date:  Monday 16 – Tuesday 17th June, 2025
Cost: $150

For over 25 years as resident senior monk in Plum Village France, Brother Phap Lu, formerly Dr. Le van Hoang, has closely followed Thay in the practices of mindful living. In that time he has studied and shared his deep wisdom of holistic practices in consumption, meditation, exercise and the latest research on healthy living with monastics and lay practitioners at many retreats around the world.

This is a special event at short notice and space is very limited. We can accept only about 15 registrants. Registration will close when the retreat is full. 

To Register: Please click on the link to complete the registration form. If space is still available we will email you with payment information. The deadline for registration is 11 June. 

Details

Meals are included. All meals will be vegan. They will consist of light, simple foods with a focus on fresh and fermented vegetables while minimising salt, sugar and fat. It will not be possible to accommodate additional dietary restrictions. 

In preparation for the retreat we suggest you eat a lighter diet, in particular reduce your consumption of starchy foods and cereals. Try to eat plenty of green vegetables and nuts. If you can get used to being a little hungry that will make the retreat more beneficial. Cut back on stimulants such as tea, coffee, cocoa, alcohol and tobacco and avoid sugar. 

At this retreat you will have the option of fasting for a day or two or a shorter fast as appropriate to your condition. Brother Phap Lu will also offer instructions touching the earth and other information on taking good care of our health. 

Please bring your own cushion and yoga mat as well as any props (such as blankets and eye cushions) for deep relaxation. Below is a sample schedule from other health retreats. Please be aware that the actual retreat is likely to flow somewhat differently but it should give you an idea of the general outlines. 

Schedule

Monday 16 June 2025

• 7:30 am: Guided Meditation 
• 8:30 am: Light breakfast (light congee and fruit) 
• 9:30 am: Dharma talk
• 11:00  am: Walking 
• 12:00 pm: Lunch 
• 1:30 pm: Total Relaxation 
• 3:00 pm: Dharma discussion 
• 4:15 pm: Gi Cong 
• 5:00 pm: Light dinner 
• 6:30 pm: Workshop 
• 8:00 pm: Sitting meditation, Chanting
• 9:00 pm: Noble silence and sleep

Tuesday 17 June 2025

• 7:30 am: Dharma talk 
• 9:00 am: Light breakfast (light congee and fruit) 
• 9:30 am: Walking
• 10:15 am:  Q&A 
• 12:15 pm:  Lunch 
• 2:00 pm: Cleaning up 
• 3:00 pm: Tea Meditation 
• 4:30 pm: Retreat ends