Opening Heart 2026 Annual Retreat: Open Heart, Peaceful Mind: A Retreat for Renewal & Social Engagement

Open Heart, Peaceful Mind: A Retreat for Renewal & Social Engagement

Friday, January 23 • 5:00pm—8:30pm EST
Saturday, January 24 • 9:30am—4:30pm EST
In Person & Online
Seekers Church, Washington, DC

Spiritual power and presence are among our greatest sources of healing and transformation. This annual retreat offers space to renew the heart, steady the mind, and reconnect with what allows us to meet the world with openness and compassion.

During our time together, we will engage in sitting, walking, eating, and resting practices in the Plum Village tradition, listen to Dharma teachings, and join in mindful community. These practices support balance, clarity, and the capacity to engage our lives with purpose.

The retreat begins Friday evening with a welcoming potluck, orientation, and introductions. Saturday continues with guided meditation, Dharma talks, mindful movement, and dharma sharing.

We are intentionally making space for a diverse group of practitioners by prioritizing BIPOC individuals attendance, offering captioning for the dharma talks and affinity dharma sharing in-person groups for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Persons with Disabilities, and White practitioners.

PLEASE NOTE:
Non-BIPOC applicants will be placed on a temporary waiting list while we gather applications. Regular updates will be sent, and all applicants will be offered registration as space becomes available.

Registration & Fees

We are offering the two-day retreat on a sliding scale.
In person: $50 (for those who need support), up to $200 (for those who can support others).
Online: $50 to $100.

We don’t turn anyone away for lack of funds, so if you need a further discount, please let us know by emailing us at info@openingheartmindfulness.org.

To learn more and register: https://www.openingheartmindfulness.org/events/2026-retreat-r3dx3

Valerie has offered this retreat for 7 years!  Experience for yourself what others have said about this powerful and inspiring retreat.   

Here’s what people are saying:

• “I have participated in this retreat five times and have always loved it.”
• “A beautiful opportunity to go deeply inward, connect with others in a soulful way and restore your mind, body, and soul.”
• “The retreat helped me to reflect and to move to a next step vocationally and in personal healing.”
• “One of the most important events in my life. The depth of meeting, the length and depth of the silence, all fostered by Valerie – her warmth, wisdom, love, and attention.”