Talks and events — 2026

Weekend Autumn Retreat (3 Hamlets)

with Plum Village monastics

A weekend of mindfulness practice at Plum Village itself, in the Dordogne region of southern France — the monastery founded by Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh and the heart of the tradition. This retreat draws on all three of Plum Village's hamlets, guided by the resident monastic community. In the Plum Village style, the days weave together sitting and walking meditation, mindful meals, deep relaxation, and dharma sharing — a gentle immersion in the art of mindful living. Offered in English, French, and Vietnamese.

Hridaya Immersion Course (Fall Cycle)

An extended contemplative immersion in self-inquiry at Hridaya Yoga France — a deep, months-long dive into the practice of direct self-recognition rooted in the non-dual Tantric teachings of Hridaya's founder, Sahajananda. The immersion integrates Hridaya meditation, guided self-inquiry, and community life, cultivating the "Witnessing Attitude" and letting the wonderment-question "Who am I?" inform each moment. Sahajananda, the main founder of Hridaya Yoga, is a meditation and Hatha Yoga teacher with over forty years of experience whose message conveys the non-dual Tantric understanding. An electronics engineer by training, he began practicing yoga and meditation in 1981 — the year yoga was banned in Communist Romania — and later, after a profound shift in consciousness during a solitary cave retreat, began sharing the Hridaya teachings, eventually founding centers in Mexico and France. The setting is a lovingly restored château on seven hectares in the Longeval Forest of the Beaujolais countryside, with sunlit meditation halls, forest hiking trails, and views over the Azergues Valley. The center keeps a strictly vegetarian, alcohol- and drug-free, ashram-like environment. Because Hridaya France is a non-profit association, membership is required of visitors.

Meditation Retreat with Thay Doji

with Thay Doji

A meditation retreat with Thay Doji at the Domaine du Taille in the Ardèche, southern France — "ouvert à tous," open to all. A French-language retreat of seated meditation and contemplative practice in a rural setting.

Bilingual Retreat in Paris (Week One)

with Francis Lucille

The first of two consecutive week-long retreats with Francis Lucille in Paris, held in French and English. Lucille — a student of Jean Klein and a central teacher of the Direct Path — conveys the non-dual understanding shared across Advaita Vedanta, Zen, Taoism, and Sufism, not as philosophy but through guided meditation and satsang: dialogue that meets each participant's questions and points back to the nature of present experience. The retreat takes place at Enclos Rey in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. Participants may book one or both weeks. Registration is handled through Francis Lucille's website. (See the Germany listing for a fuller account of Lucille and his teaching.)

Bilingual Retreat in Paris (Week Two)

with Francis Lucille

The second of the two consecutive Paris retreats with Francis Lucille, running across the New Year and held in English and German. As with Week One, the days center on guided meditation and satsang in the Direct Path tradition, at Enclos Rey in Paris. Participants may attend one or both weeks. (See the Germany listing for a fuller account of Lucille and his teaching.)