A SAFE LANDING: Returning to the Island Within
A Weekend of Mindfulness for Veterans and Friends
Join us for a weekend of mindfulness to reduce stress, regulate strong emotions, and learn skills to navigate the changing seasons of life. Held in the supportive embrace of the Deer Park Monastery in Southern California, and led by two teachers that are both Veterans and former Buddhist Monks.
“Within ourselves there is a safe island we can come back to, where the storms of life cannot shake us.“
—Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Brother Michael Nguyen is a Navy Veteran, and a former Buddhist Monk in the Plum Village Tradition. As a Dharma Teacher he now coaches Veterans in whole health and pain-management at the VA in Southern California. His nickname is Brother Bear!
Brother Dave Kenneally is a United States Marine Corps Veteran, former Buddhist Monk, and a full time mindfulness teacher who works in schools and other organizations. Brother Bear has been his Teacher for a long time, even back when they were monks, and this is the second time they’ve organized a retreat for Veterans together.
The fine print:
The retreat is from Friday, November 8th —> Sunday, November 10th.
A dorm room spot for the weekend is $200 and tent camping is $140.
Veterans and active duty service members are welcome. You are also strongly encouraged to sign-up with a friend or family member. We do it together! They do not have to be a Veteran.
The weekend will be at the Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California, a mindfulness center in the Tradition of the Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
FAQs
-
Check in is from 2-4pm on Friday, November 8th, and departure is around 3pm on Sunday, November 10th. Registration is here:
-
A six-person dorm room spot for the weekend is $200 and tent camping is $140. Each retreatant is responsible for their own travel to Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California. Offering Dana (financial generosity) to the instructors at the end of the course is welcome, but not expected.
Interested in a scholarship? Read the next FAQ for all the info! Together, WE GOT THIS!
-
YES!
Below is Deer Park Monastery's existing scholarship policy, and we are also raising addtional funds on top of this. Send us a message at the bottom of this webpage with your scholarship needs. WE GOT THIS!
YOUNG ADULT DISCOUNT: According to their need, young adults between 18 and 35 years of age may choose between a 25% or 50% discount on registration.
For a 25% young adult discount, please enter the following code into the registration form field called "Special registration code": voucher25
For a 50% young adult discount, please enter the following code into the registration form field called "Special registration code": voucher50
DISCOUNT FOR ANYONE IN NEED: Anyone in need may receive a 25% discount.
For anyone in need to receive a 25% discount, please enter the following code into the registration form field called "Special registration code": voucher25
Last but not least, Deer Park also works with the Hemera Foundation to make contemplative practice more accessible to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members. That information and application is at the link below. ***Please apply for a Hemera Fellowship by Oct 8th as it takes some time to process.***
-
YES! We are gratefully accepting donations to support Vets attending who might be unable to afford the travel and registration costs. Thank you!!!
Donate here: https://givebutter.com/t354VW
-
YES! You are strongly encouraged to bring a friend or family member to practice with. And NO, they do not have to be a Veteran as well. We recognize that these healing practices are easier to learn and continue when we practice with the ones we love. They can register just as you are.
Totally OK to come alone of course!
-
NO! Our retreats, as are all trainings in the tradition of the Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, are designed for practitioners of all experience levels, especially raw beginners. You gotta start somewhere, come start with us!