14/05/2026
V angličtině: Dear friends, an online course to support families with children and elders from our Buddhist community:
“Families are carrying so much right now.
As a working mother of a young child while also helping care for three elders, I know this season of life firsthand, beautiful, tender, joyful and challenging in the same breath, and often incredibly full.
Many parents do not have access to the kinds of teachings, community, and practices that can help sustain them during these years. Even the former U.S. Surgeon General declared parental stress a public health concern. Families today are navigating overwhelm, disconnection, technology overload, mental health challenges, and the daily reality of trying to simply find moments of presence together. At the same time, research continues to remind us that emotionally healthy family systems and strong relationships matter profoundly for children’s well-being.
That is why I’m truly excited to share Happy Families Change the World, a new 8-week online course rooted in decades of family mindfulness practice in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, developed in partnership with Dartmouth College researchers: https://deerparkmonastery.org/visit/events/happy-families-change-the-world/
This offering feels especially meaningful to me because it is also the first offering to the wider world from the Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing, our new Plum Village-inspired elementary school opening near Deer Park Monastery this fall. As a lab school, part of our aspiration is to not only serve children and families locally, but to share practices and learning globally in ways that support families everywhere.
Importantly, 100% of proceeds from this course directly support the TNH School of Interbeing, helping us bring to life a school rooted in mindfulness, compassion, nature connection, beloved community, and engaged action for children and families.
The course offers practical, evidence-informed tools for families seeking more:
Connection
Emotional regulation
Compassionate communication
Joy and presence in daily life
Families will explore practices such as mindful listening, navigating conflict with greater compassion, creating moments of togetherness, and building habits that support resilience and well-being at home.
We warmly invite you to a free public webinar on June 3 to learn more about:
What mindfulness in family life can actually look like
Why these approaches are attracting growing interest from health and well-being researchers
How contemplative practices can strengthen relationships and support children and caregivers alike
Featuring Brother Phap Luu, Sister Phu Nghiem, Dr. Diane Gilbert-Diamond, and our community’s very own lay Dharma Teacher instrumental in the Wake Up Schools movement, Dr. Orlaith O’Sullivan.
As both an educator and parent, I know how hard family life can be, and how much small practices can matter. Sometimes transformation begins with something as simple as one mindful breath before responding, one moment of truly listening, one shared meal without rushing.
In a time when so many families are stretched thin and longing for deeper connection, this feels like a gentle invitation to come home to one another.
The course begins June 13. Learn more/register here: Happy Families Change the World: Practicing Mindfulness with Children
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/happy-families-change-the-world-practicing-mindfulness-with-children-tickets-1989224630418?aff=oddtdtcreator
Hug, J
