Happy Families Change the World + Hidden Mountain Record Published
May 2026 Issue of Coyote Tracks from Deer Park Monastery
Dear beloved community,
Families are carrying so much right now. Many parents are navigating overwhelm, disconnection, technology overload, and the challenge of finding moments of true presence together. At the same time, we know how deeply healthy relationships, mindfulness, and compassionate community can support the well-being of children and families.
This month, we are joyful to share Happy Families Change the World, a new online course rooted in decades of family mindfulness practice in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and developed in partnership with researchers from Dartmouth College. Alongside the course, Dr. Diane Gilbert-Diamond, Dr. Orlaith O’Sullivan, Brother Pháp Lưu, and Sister Phú Nghiêm will offer a free webinar exploring how these practices can become more accessible to families around the world.
This offering is especially meaningful as it is the first wider-world offering connected to the Thích Nhất Hạnh School of Interbeing, our new Plum Village-inspired elementary school opening near Deer Park Monastery this fall. We are also deeply grateful to celebrate a beautiful fundraising milestone: together, our global sangha has now raised $700,000 toward bringing this vision to life, including more than $100,000 raised through the Rhythm of the Earth Mindful Music Festival.
As we continue to support children, teens, and families through retreats, mindful education, and intergenerational practice, we are reminded that peaceful, connected families truly can change the world.
We invite you to enjoy your breathing as you read through the May issue of Coyote Tracks.
With gratitude and warmth,
Your Brothers and Sisters at Deer Park
Happy Families Change the World: June 3 Webinar
Join Dr. Diane Gilbert-Diamond, Dr. Orlaith O’Sullivan, Brother Pháp Lưu, and Sister Phú Nghiêm for a conversation exploring the rich tradition of mindfulness practice for families—and the aspiration to make these beloved practices more accessible to families around the world. Register here.
Happy Families Change the World: Online Course
This online course is an invitation for families to come together in mindfulness in the midst of everyday life. Rooted in the legendary Plum Village children’s program, the course is for those who wish to embrace this practice within their own homes. This course is for families, caregivers and children. Click here to register your family.
Hidden Mountain Record Issue #3 Now Published
We are happy to announce that Hidden Mountain Record issue #3, which recaps the year 2025 at Deer Park, is now available for your download here. This publication is the result of loving work from our monastic sangha, Parallax Press, the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, and lay friends.
$100K Raised at Rhythm of the Earth Mindful Music Festival
With deep gratitude, we would like to thank everyone who joined us for the Rhythm of the Earth Mindful Music Festival and everyone who has already offered their support to the Thích Nhất Hạnh School of Interbeing. Because of your generosity—through ticket purchases, onsite offerings, YouTube donations, volunteer service, and countless acts of support—we have raised $100,000 through the festival fundraiser so far, bringing our total funds raised up to $700K!
Hundreds Walk Mindfully “In the Footsteps of Thay” in New York City
More than 200 lay practitioners and monastics from Deer Park, Magnolia Grove, and Blue Cliff Monasteries gathered in New York City for a rainy morning of walking meditation down the newly renamed Thích Nhất Hạnh Way. Read the full article.
Colorado Mindfulness Retreat
The Sun My Heart Retreat • August 9–15 • Estes Park, CO
Join us for a nourishing week of mindfulness practice in the Plum Village tradition. This family-friendly retreat invites us to slow down, reconnect with nature, and cultivate healing in ourselves and our communities. Learn more & register here.
Compassion in Action: The Science of Caring Replay
Hear from Dr. Walter Willet, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Brother Pháp Lưu, and other mindfulness experts inside the 2026 symposium Compassion in Action: The Science of Caring with the Thich Nhat Hanh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health.
The Buddha the Scientist Retreat & Symposium [New Dates]
The Buddha the Scientist Retreat will now be held Oct 1-4, 2026 at Deer Park Monastery, offering participants a chance to deepen mindfulness practice alongside scientists and scholars. Following the retreat, a symposium will be held on Monday October 5 at UCSD. Registration will open for both events on June 12, 2026.
Love Letter: Gratitude for Joy, Music, and the TNH School of Interbeing
“My son was having a hard moment. We gave him some space, and the next thing I knew, he was sitting in the center of the circle and between his ‘monkles,’ Brother Pháp Lưu with a mandolin and Brother Nhat Tri with a guitar. Kai was then given a kazoo. And there he was, nestled between them, glowing in the firelight, singing, kazoo-ing, laughing, fully included.”
— Meena Srinivasan, Co-Founder, Thich Nhat Hanh School of Interbeing
Looking Ahead:
May 23, 2026 - Happy Farm Community Work Day
May 24, 2026 - Online; Celebrating Living Gems
May 28, 2026 - Online; Joyful TNH School of Interbeing Parent Gathering
May 31, 2026 – Vesak Celebration
June 3, 2026 - Happy Families Change the World Free Webinar
June 5 - 7, 2026 - Art & Mindfulness Theme Weekend in Clarity Hamlet
June 11, 2026 - Online; Joyful TNH School of Interbeing Parent Gathering
June 13 - Aug 9, 2026 - Happy Families Change The World Online Course (registration now open)
June 23 - 28, 2026 - Teen Retreat
July 9, 2026 - Online; Joyful TNH School of Interbeing Parent Gathering
July 12 - 18, 2026 - Family Retreat (waitlist only)
July 25, 2026 - LA Day of Mindfulness (save the date; more information coming soon)
Aug 9 - 15, 2026 - The Sun My Heart Retreat (Estes Park, Colorado)
August 27 - 30, 2026 - Alaska Mindfulness Retreat (Almost full)
Oct 1 - 4, 2026 - The Buddha the Scientist Retreat (New dates)
October 5, 2026 - The Buddha the Scientist Symposium @ UCSD (New Date)