Big Summer-Retreat and day of mindfulness
with the monks and nuns from the EIAB and Plum Village
Summer-Retreat 2020

EIAB Staff Program

Last day of Registration is 17 July 2020

We are very happy to inform you that we will be offering the annual German and Dutch retreats and a Day of Mindfulness in August 2020 at the EIAB. Even though Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is not able to offer the teachings, but the Senior Dharma Teachers and the monks and nuns of the EIAB and Plum Village will do so in his place.  We welcome you to join us in manifesting a wonderful continuation of our teacher's life and practice!

Before, during and after these events we will need staff to help us, so we are inviting practitioners who have already attended a retreat in the Plum Village tradition to apply to be a staff member. As a staff member, you can help us in many different areas, most of which involve physical work. We ask you to arrive earlier and depart later than other retreatants.

Serving on the staff team is often a very rewarding and fulfilling experience when we are able to work together in joy and harmony. Here are some of the qualities we are looking for in staff members in our large retreats with 350 plus retreatants:

  • Ability to speak Dutch and/or German, basic English
  • Being in good physical and mental health
  • Ability to listen deeply to others and be open to others’ ideas
  • Being mindful and keeping our calm even in difficult situations
  • Working well on a team
  • Capable of guiding a group in its work
  • Responsible, diligent and thorough in your work
  • Creative and energetic
  • For first-aid team, we are also looking for people with first aid experience or medical background.

All staff will be asked to follow the retreat schedule. The day typically begins at 06:00 AM and ends at 22:00 PM. Depending on the work you do, you may have to miss parts of the morning, afternoon or evening activities of the retreat in order to complete the work assigned to you.

Work is done in small groups or “families” comprised of retreatants, monastic, and experienced lay practitioners. Staff will be asked to coordinate and lead their family group in the assigned work. There will be regular Staff meetings to learn from each other and build harmony in the community.

All staff is asked to a tent, so that they are able to help and participate in the retreat at the lowest rate we can offer.

All Staff is welcome to participate in the Day of Mindfulness on 09th August free of charge. You can follow the Dharma Talk on a screen right outside the Dharma Hall.

Thank you for your aspiration to help to bring joy and peace to many people in the retreat.

A lotus for you, a Buddha to be.