Radical love - true support

With great joy we can share that we were able to support seven queer practitioners who joined “Radical Love - True Inclusivity,” the LGBTIQA+ Retreat in the European Institute of Applied Buddhism! We are filled with gratitude for this amazing experience and for the retreat facilitators, as well as for the Thich Nhat Hanh foundation and all our beautiful supporters who made this possible!

Let's hear two sharings from the participants about their experience:

“The retreat was my first one, so I was unsure of what to expect. I already had a fair amount of practice in another buddhist lineage and a little experience in the plum village tradition, but I'd never been to a retreat before. I applied for the financial support on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. It was definitely one of the most impactful experiences I had in years.

The space felt so special, I loved meeting all the other LGBTQIA+ practitioners, and the way the facilitators connected Dharma teachings with queerness and social justice. And the facilitators themselves - I am so glad to have met each of them, Maru and Desiree as well as Shelly and Francoise. All of them were so knowledgeable and kind, I felt lucky to be able to witness them and learn from them.

I definitely think connecting this deeply and practicing with other queer people this way has changed me in ways that have yet to unfold, I feel a new commitment to my personal practice as well as the community in a broader sense. And, lastly, I feel so, so much queer joy. I am deeply grateful for the rainbow dharma collective and their hard work to make me attending the retreat possible through their funding. I hope they get to make this a continuous tradition and, in doing so, open this beautiful space up to as many queer people as possible.”

- Mars, 29 years old

“This retreat was my first experience engaging with the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in a dedicated and immersive way. Though I had grown up within a culturally Buddhist household—witnessing my family observe Vietnamese Buddhist rituals and traditions—my connection to these practices had always felt somewhat distant. Language barriers meant that my understanding remained at a surface level. I could see the devotion, I could feel the importance, but I never quite had access to the “why” behind it all.

So, encountering the teachings delivered by Western teachers—who communicated the dharma in a way that was accessible to me—was a deeply emotional experience. For the first time, I was able to truly understand the essence of these spiritual practices that had always surrounded me. That clarity unlocked something in me. I began to feel more connected—not just to the teachings, but to the people around me, to my cultural roots, and to the wider sangha.

In the beginning, though, I felt quite guarded. There was a storm of emotion inside me, almost like a ship trying to stay afloat in choppy seas. I was surrounded by “my people”—Vietnamese monastics who reflected my cultural heritage, and LGBT+ teachers and students who reflected my lived experience and identity. And with that came a certain pressure. I felt like I had to connect, to belong, to be understood.

But as the days passed, the daily practices began to work on me. Sitting in meditation, walking mindfully, sharing in small groups, and simply breathing together created a space where my defenses could slowly soften. Being vulnerable in a community that also allowed for vulnerability was transformative.

Attending an LGBT+-specific retreat was, without a doubt, a crucial part of this experience. The presence of teachers and facilitators who shared similar life experiences made the teachings resonate on a much deeper level. We weren’t just speaking about universal suffering—we were addressing the real, lived challenges that queer and trans people face in the world today. It felt incredibly validating to hear our guides use words like “queer,” “LGBT+,” “lesbian,” and “trans” in such a sacred and spiritual space.

So often in my spiritual journey, I’ve had to quietly assume that the teachings included me, while silently bracing myself against the possibility of rejection. I’ve walked a delicate line between hope and caution, wishing to be welcomed but prepared not to be. This retreat changed that. There was no need to read between the lines. I was explicitly seen. Explicitly included. And in that, I found not just validation, but belonging.

I am so grateful to the RaD for making this possible.”

- Rai-Lee Pham, 31 years old

We thank the supported friends for their beautiful sharings about their experience and allowing us to use the photo! More text about the experience will be shared in the future. It was such a joy to practice together.

If you want to make experiences like this possible, please consider making a donation.

© Pia Schäfer