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AFG Mindfulness Retreat
Wellbeing & Entrepreneurship
22 May 2026
The retreat’s most immersive day. The morning is spent at the Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing in the hills of Tshaluna — a guided workshop on mindfulness, wellbeing, and Gross National Happiness led by a Buddhist scholar. The afternoon shifts to Innovate Bhutan for an exchange with young entrepreneurs. The evening is yours to explore Thimphu at your own pace.
08:45: Travel to Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing
Depart Thimphu for the Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing in Tshaluna — a 45-minute drive through pine-covered hills. The journey itself is a transition: from the pace of the capital into the stillness of the countryside.
📍 Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing, Tshaluna
09:35: Wellbeing & Mindfulness Workshop
A deeply reflective half-day workshop led by a Buddhist scholar and human values practitioners. Grounded in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, the session explores how inner well-being, contemplative practice, and mindful awareness can inform leadership, decision-making, and purpose.
About the Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing
A flagship initiative of the Youth Development Fund, BIW is a haven of care and support for individuals and communities. Rooted in Bhutan’s development philosophy, it provides an integrated model of care known as the Happiness Model of Treatment — blending modern therapeutic approaches with traditional Bhutanese values and contemplative practices.
📍Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing, Tshaluna
14:00: Return to Thimphu
Drive back to Thimphu (approximately 45 minutes). A moment to reflect on the morning’s experience before the afternoon session.
15:00: Entrepreneur Exchange at Innovate Bhutan
An interactive workshop with young Bhutanese entrepreneurs, Pelsuup participants, and KidsMBA alumni at Innovate Bhutan — YDF’s institute for innovation and entrepreneurship. Hear from founders building purpose-driven businesses in Bhutan and exchange perspectives on social enterprise, impact, and the next generation of changemakers. Snacks served from the Innovate Bhutan cafeteria.
About Innovate Bhutan
Innovate Bhutan drives impact by nurturing responsible Bhutanese innovators and entrepreneurs through human capital development, business incubation, events, and access to investment opportunities. It represents the entrepreneurial dimension of YDF’s mission.
📍 Innovate Bhutan, Thimphu
18:00: Open Evening in Thimphu
The evening is unstructured — a deliberate pause in the programme. Explore Thimphu at your own pace: walk through the town centre, browse local shops, or settle into a quiet dinner. Personal dinner at Happy Mandala Restaurant for those who wish to join.
📍 Happy Mandala Restaurant (optional)
Join our AFG Mindfulness Retreat
Sign up to join the Mindfulness Retreat
For more information about AFG’s mindfulness retreats, leadership immersion programs, and upcoming retreat schedules, please email us: emilie.zhao@aforgood.org
