A family retreat lead by delegates from Plum Village under the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. “Happiness” is what we yearn for. Where and how can it be found? Nurturing calmness of the mind gives us peace and tranquillity.In the Discourse on the Full Awareness of Breathing (Anapanasati Sutta), the Buddha taught us to use mindful breaths to bring joy and happiness to our body and mind, to bring peace and tranquillity to our often agitated and clouded states of mind. There are sufferings as well as happiness in life. Life is not only suffering, there are many happiness in life. To be able to realize that we are alive, being able to breathe, to walk and to be with our loved ones – is already a source of happiness. One obstacle to happiness is we dwell too much on suffering. “There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.” Just be happy.

In the retreat, participants learned ways to be happy by studying several essential teachings of the Buddha: the Four Noble Truths and the Noble-Eightfold Path.

There are well-beings and there are ways leading to well-beings. Applying Right View, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Thinking, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Diligence and Right Livelihood in our daily life.

Mindful breathing, sitting, chanting, walking, eating, working, total relaxation, deep listening and loving speech throughout the retreat.