The Buddha The Scientist: Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health Retreat
MAY 16-19, 2025
UBC, Vancouver 4-day Non-residential retreat
(English speaking)
The Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health Retreat offers a transformative opportunity to immerse yourself in the practice of mindfulness in the serene setting of UBC’s Point Grey campus in Vancouver.
From May 16-20, 2025, this retreat invites participants to cultivate presence, peace, and insight through guided meditation, walking meditation, mindful eating, and periods of noble silence, all under the guidance of 7 Zen Buddhist monastics from Plum Village and Deer Park Monasteries.
On May 20, 2025, the retreat will conclude with The Buddha the Scientist Symposium, which invites scientists from around North America to explore the intersection of Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience through the embodied practice of mindfulness. The symposium combines mindfulness practice with groundbreaking scientific inquiry and discussion.
You may sign up for the Retreat + Symposium or just the Symposium.
REGISTER HERE
About the Retreat:
Rooted in the teachings of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh, this retreat emphasizes the integration of mindfulness into daily life, providing a nurturing environment to slow down, connect with the present moment, and deepen your meditation practice.
Participants will have the rare opportunity to join scientists and scholars in shared mindfulness activities, creating a space where contemplative practice informs and enriches intellectual exploration.
Whether you are new to mindfulness or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat will support your journey of inner transformation and cultivate the clarity and compassion needed to make meaningful impacts in your life and the world.
Sample Schedule: (final schedule to be confirmed)
8am - 6pm daily:
Sitting Meditation
Dharma Talk
Walking Meditation
Mindful Lunch
Deep Relaxation
Dharma Sharing
Panel/Q&A
Mindful Retreat Guidelines:
Health
Many friends have experienced lessened anxiety, a lifting of depression and improvements in general wellbeing through mindfulness practice. However, we urge all friends to continue any medication or treatment prescribed by your health care practitioner during your stay.
If you suffer from any chronic long term mental or physical illnesses, please let us know, and ask your doctor if it is advisable for you to attend a retreat with us. Please be aware that we cannot provide any professional care. If you have any concerns regarding this matter please ask us for clarification.
The art of mindful living
Coming to a Plum Village retreat is an opportunity to enjoy simple and peaceful living, and to learn how to cultivate the energy of mindfulness, so we can have more freedom, peace and happiness in our daily life. It is also a chance to nurture our inner growth as we take time to look deeply in order to transform both our individual difficulties and the difficulties in our society.
At Plum Village we learn how to weave mindfulness into all our daily activities, and live each moment of life more deeply. We practice meditation throughout the day – while eating, walking, sitting, or simply enjoying a cup of tea together.
Internet and telephone
During the retreat, please also give your cell phone and Internet a retreat. Only access Internet for urgent purposes.
Please remember to put an auto-response on your email, to make all your travel arrangements, and have a copy of your travel documents before you arrive.
We recommend asking friends & family to support your retreat by limiting phone communication (you could arrange a specific day to check messages or make a call).
The 5 Mindfulness Trainings
As part of your practice on retreat, we ask you to support the mindful practice atmosphere by following the principles of mindful and ethical living as expressed in the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The Five Mindfulness Trainings are the foundation of the Plum Village community, bringing happiness and meaning to all that we do. Specifically, we request that all retreatants refrain from sexual activity, smoking and drinking alcohol or consuming drugs. In Plum Village we follow a vegan diet, and respectfully ask you not to bring any non-vegetarian foods to the retreat.
Mindful Eating
Lunch and snacks will be provided. We will enjoy our lunch together in mindfulness. We usually have 15-20 minutes of silent eating during this time. Eating in silence helps us appreciate the food deeply, and cherish the presence of those around us. You can read more about our practice of mindful eating here.
What to bring
Essentials:
- travel mug
- refillable water bottle
- napkin
- eating utensils
- sunscreen
- sun hat
Optional:
- meditation cushion
- yoga mat
- shawl
What to wear
Plum Village retreats welcome diverse cultures. To respect and support our collective energy of practice, we ask everyone to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes at all times. Please wear only clothes that fully cover your shoulders, chest, back and legs past the knees. You may find a light shawl handy. Please do not wear shorts, hot pants, tank tops, short dresses and so on. Please bring appropriate layers and footwear for the weather and nature walks around the UBC campus.
You may sign up for the Retreat + Symposium or just the Symposium.
REGISTER HERE
Service dana
The work of offering a retreat needs many Buddha hands and Buddha hearts. We welcome volunteers to help with the logistics of the retreat. If you are interested in volunteering for the 4-day non-residential retreat at UBC, please complete THIS FORM. Our volunteer coordinator will be in touch if your volunteer services are required. Please note that all volunteers must have completed registration and payment for the retreat. We are grateful for your offering of service dana!
If you are unable to submit this form online for any reason, please email wwsangha@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Volunteering for UBC retreat.’