James Norton regularly visits a ‘Buddhist retreat in the south of France’.
The 39-year-old actor has a keen interest in Buddhism and often travels to the south of France to escape the stress and intensity of the entertainment industry.
Speaking on the Travel Secrets podcast, James shared: “I went to a Buddhist retreat in the south of France and learned a lot about Buddhism.
I went to a retreat called Plum Village and I loved it. I’ve been there for the last few years. It’s in the Dordogne region and it’s been a great experience. I know the community there now, I know the director there, and it’s a very special place.
“Thich Nhat Hanh founded this incredible movement – if you’re like me and you’re interested in Buddhism and you understand its value, but life always gets in the way, then this is a very friendly, accessible form of Buddhism. It’s Buddhism Lite. ”
James had a “weird time” at school and took a gap year in Asia before going to university.
The actor has now admitted that period was one of the key ones in his life, explaining that it shaped his “relationship with the world, travel and himself”.
The Happy Valley star, who was born in London but lived in Yorkshire during his student days, shared: “When I left school I decided to take a year off between leaving school and going to university. I was really passionate about it. ”
“I spent three months working in various bars, one at a golf club and one at a hotel… I made about £3,500, then I packed my bags and travelled around South Asia for eight months on my own… I was 18. It was crazy.
“I couldn’t believe how brazen I was. I went to Nepal, Tibet, India – and didn’t see a single person I knew for eight months. It was crazy. But now I realise how important that trip was to me, in so many ways: my relationship with the world, with travel, with myself – especially with myself.”
