Enjoy a day of mindfulness and peace.
We are open for in-person Days of Mindfulness with advance registration. For more information about when and how to join us, please see our events calendar.
Typical In-person Day of Mindfulness Schedule
When you arrive, you may park in the main parking lot and make your way up to the Solidity Hamlet campground.
9:00 AM – Outdoor Walking Meditation
Walking meditation is a practice of walking together and being present with each step. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry, allowing our body and mind to be calm.
10:15 AM – Dharma talk in Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall
A dharma talk is a teaching about meditation and well-being.
11:30 AM – Dharma Sharing or Ceremony
Once a month, we formally recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings and once a month we also formally recite the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings.
12:30 PM – Mindful Lunch
A vegetarian lunch will be provided, cooked and offered lovingly by our monastic community of nuns and monks. Eating a silent meal together can be a meditative practice. We establish ourselves in the present moment and practice eating with a sense of peace, ease, and gratitude.
1:30 PM – Bookshop Opens
The bookshop carries a variety of books by our Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh in English and Vietnamese, as well as other items that support mindfulness practice.
2:00 PM – Day of Mindfulness Concludes
Registration
Please check our calendar to confirm that the monastery will host a Day of Mindfulness on the date you wish to visit. Next, click on your preferred visitation date to register.
Donations
There is no fee for taking part in a Day of Mindfulness, but we welcome donations. Donations are our main source of support, so every offering is greatly appreciated. Your contribution helps us to keep the monastery open throughout the year. You can make your offering in the donation box in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall, any meditation hall, or either dining hall. You can also donate online by clicking here.
Children’s Program
The monastery occasionally offers children’s program on certain Sundays of the month. On these Sundays, families can drop off their young ones between the ages 6 and 12 after walking meditation in front of the Big Meditation Hall and pick them up before lunch.
Individual Needs
Deer Park is deeply committed to inclusiveness. If you have a particular need for assistance, please contact us so we can offer you as much support as possible. Our meditation hall and dining halls are wheelchair accessible.
What to Wear
Please wear casual and modest clothing that is comfortable for sitting. We ask that all clothing cover the shoulders, midsection, and knees even when sitting in a meditative posture. No shorts or tank tops. Please wear or bring weather-appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for walking on nature trails so you can fully enjoy the outdoor walking meditation with the community. Also, avoid wearing perfumes or other products that may affect those who are sensitive or allergic to fragrances.
Mindful Conduct at Deer Park Monastery
• Practicing the Mindfulness Trainings: Please keep in mind that the monastery is a spiritual space intended for personal relaxation, healing, self-reflection, and transformation. Observe the Five Mindfulness Trainings to ensure a respectful and harmonious atmosphere for all.
• Intoxicants and Drugs on Campus Are Strictly Prohibited. This includes illegal drugs, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, vapes, as well as illicit prescription and over-the-counter medications. Possession of these substances will result in immediate removal from the monastery.
• Appropriate Physical Conduct: Respect personal boundaries and avoid behaviors that may make others feel uncomfortable or unsafe, including romantic advances, sexual gestures or comments, inappropriate physical contact (including touching, punching, or hugging), asking another visitor to go to an isolated place away from the Sangha, or disregarding dress code guidelines.
• Dress Code: Dress modestly and comfortably by covering shoulders, midsection, and knees. Avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, and fragrances.
Please report any concerning or inappropriate behavior to a monastic resident or email office@deerparkmonastery.org.