Are you Considering Moving to Live Closer to the Being Peace Practice Centre?

Guidance and reflections for friends considering a move nearby

As the Being Peace Practice Centre begins to settle into its new home at Abenhall many have been wondering: What would it be like to live nearby? To walk in mindfulness each day, to hear the temple bell in the morning, to deepen spiritual practice in proximity to fellow lay practitioners and visiting monastics.

This is a beautiful aspiration – rooted in the love and commitment for the practice, a wish for connection and community and commitment to embody the Dharma more fully in everyday life.  

 Yet, before making such a significant life decision, it will be helpful to stop, breathe and look deeply at both the opportunities and natural limits of the site and the project at this early stage.

In this post we hope to offer clear guidance to support those considering such a move.

First Steps in Support for our Centre

In the years ahead, the Being Peace Centre will focus first and foremost on offering hundreds – and eventually thousands – of people the chance to experience residential retreats in the Plum Village tradition here in the UK. These retreats will be held on land cared for by a small resident community and nurtured by the collective energy of mindfulness. Our focus and resources will be guided by this vision, which means that some forms of participation or access will be limited  in the early stages.

The relationship between the local community and the Centre will unfold gradually and organically. As in Asia, a practice centre can naturally turn to its neighbours and supporters for help. Our hope is to nurture an extended spiritual family whose first aspiration will be “How can I help? ” rather than “What can I receive?”.

Opportunities for Mindful Service & Engagement 

In Plum Village France, a vibrant neighbours’ community has grown up around the monastery, self-organising their own gatherings and practice, and offering help to the monastics when needed. We hope that, over time, something similar could also blossom for Being Peace – a Sangha family rooted in generosity, openness, and mutual support. 

The following guidelines were drafted together with our spiritual elders to outline the practical realities and natural limits of the Being Peace Practice Centre at this stage, and to offer clarity for those thinking of living close by:

Service Meditation Days –  Support through mindful volunteer work; gardening, building maintenance, or in retreat support roles such as taking care of guests will be welcome. In turn, the Centre could provide a source of deep spiritual nourishment.

Public Open Days – Alongside our residential retreats, we hope to host several open days each year, for example during monastic visits, festivals like Wesak, or special public Days of Mindfulness. A local organising and support circle could also emerge over time, depending on space, facilitators, and community capacity.

Walking meditation – The public rights of way through the land remain open for all to enjoy at any time.   We will be also exploring options for how neighbours may be able to join some walking meditations outside of booked retreats.

Practical limits on joining the daily programme – Our meditation hall currently only accommodates residents and retreatants (around 45 people). While this may change in future as the centre grows, it means we can’t yet host drop-in participation for meditation or Dharma talks.

Visiting the Centre – To maintain the safety, there will be a registration process, completed in advance of all visits – for retreats, practice days and volunteering. Informal drop-ins will generally not be possible, particularly during retreats, to preserve the collective retreat energy.

Reflecting Deeply

The Being Peace Practice Centre is expected to open in Spring 2026.
If you feel called to move nearby, we warmly invite you to take time to reflect deeply:

Am I moving nearby primarily to offer, or to receive?

Can I offer without expectation?

Can I stay rooted in my own practice, without dependence on the Centre to invite me in? 

Am I ready to co-create Sangha life with others nearby, with joy and steadiness?

As we take our first mindful steps together at our Centre, may we each walk with clarity, compassion, and deep trust in the unfolding of our Being Peace community. 

Homes Near The Centre  

It would be a joy to see them become homes for sangha friends who feel called to live nearby and join the Being Peace local community. 

Please do let us know if you are thinking of making an offer on a nearby property – it’s very helpful for us to be aware as we nurture the emerging community.

  • House for sale: Plum Village practitioners Rosie and Nigel are downsizing and selling their 3 bedroom, 2 reception room detached home, which is just 10 minutes drive from the Being Peace Centre in the Forest of Dean. 2 bathrooms, dining room, kitchen, pantry, utility and attached garage, set in 1/3 of an acre of wildlife rich garden, quality greenhouse and shed. Quiet location, adjacent to broadleaf forestry and meadows, with lovely view. Parking for 2/3 cars.
    Contact Nigel for more details 

Join the Conversation

If you are curious about living near Abenhall, we are considering co-creating an online gathering space for participants to:

  • Meet others exploring similar aspiration
  • Ask questions you may be considering
  • Share ideas 
  • Learn more about the local area and housing
  • Explore possibilities like co-living or forming a WhatsApp or Google group to help people connect

If you would be interested in attending a space like this – or even helping to co-create or co-facilitate this – please let us know by filling in this short form here. Whether you’re simply curious or already exploring housing options, you’re warmly welcome.