Be Calm, Be Happy: An Online Mindfulness Course

“This has been a life-changing experience”

“it has been inspirational”

“An excellent introduction to the practice of mindfulness that I can continue with for the rest of my life”

“I’ve experienced a very real shift in my ability to be present and enjoy simple things”

“What I have gained from the course has given me real optimism for a calmer and happier future”

Be Calm, Be Happy is an 8-week online group course teaching mindfulness meditation, in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, as an effective counter-balance to the stresses of life and as an opportunity to become happier. This course is offered online for those who cannot make a physical course, or do not have one in their locality.

This is a live, interactive course, not recorded sessions to download.

Course overview

Be Calm, Be Happy provides a gradual introduction to mindfulness and meditation and key teachings on positive happy living over eight weekly classes. Each class includes guided mindfulness exercises and meditations, group discussions and practical exercises led by an experienced facilitator in a warm, friendly atmosphere, with a maximum group size of 12 people.

Course outline

The eight sessions of the course explore the following themes:

• Stopping and calming;
• Turning to the positive;
• Loving communication;
• Nourishing happiness;
• Interdependence and community;
• Guidelines for a happier life

Reported benefits include:

• Increased enjoyment of life
• Increased ability to be calm and relaxed
• Increased control of emotions such as anger and anxiety
• Improved sleep quality
• Fewer feelings of anxiety and depression

Who can attend

This course is suitable for beginners, as well as those wishing to gain an overview of the key teachings and how they support each other. It is suitable for those of all faiths and none. Our course participants come from a wide range of backgrounds. Many of our participants are keen to learn new ways to look after their own wellbeing and to identify positive responses to challenging situations. This online course is particularly suitable for those who cannot attend a physical course or who do not have one in their locality.

Please note, you will be using a computer/laptop, iPad or phone to access each session, and will need a functioning camera and mic.

Commitment

For this course to be effective, we recommend that you commit to attending all eight sessions and also do a minimum of 20 mins daily practice for five days each week. Creating a stable and strong practice of mindfulness is a habit that needs regular, ideally daily, practice. If you know ahead of time that you can not make a session then please discuss with your Course Leader so that you can understand the content of the missed session. If you have to miss a session at short notice please arrange with the Course Leader a catch-up session.

Course schedule

This course is taught over eight Tuesday evenings from 16th June until 4th August inclusive.

Each class is 1.5 hours long and the class timings are  from 6.30pm-8pm.

NB: once you book onto the course you will be invited to a brief pre-course Zoom orientation, to iron out any potential difficulties in joining Zoom before the course itself starts.

Course leaders

The course leaders are Clare Belbin-Carlile and Kev Place

Clare first encountered Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings through his books and subsequently retreats from 1998. She became increasingly committed to her daily practice with the support of the Sanghas in York and Kirkbymoorside, and it is now a central part of her life. The Plum Village tradition has enabled Clare to work with the demands of a complex life managing a large shared household to benefit the needs of adults with special needs, alongside bringing up her own four children. She provided guidance and teaching for young interns over many years. Clare’s mindfulness practice is deeply rooted in her daily practice which includes drawing and painting in the Helmsley Walled Garden. Clare studied Fine Art at Newcastle and completed her postgraduate degree at Edinburgh. Clare’s practice transforms and enlivens everything she does.

Kev’s journey in mindfulness began in 1992 with the practice of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. He explored widely over the years before encountering his teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, in a profound experience in 2006. A period of overburden leading to burnout some years later, prompted Kev to establish fully with a daily practice and to cultivate well-being and balance. He practices with Nourishing Peace Sangha in Stourbridge and with World Interbeing Sangha online, an international Sangha in the Plum Village tradition. A training specialist by profession he facilitates mindfulness practice in a range of contexts and is an endorsed Buddhist chaplain in healthcare settings, volunteering at a large regional hospice. Kev expresses a lifelong love of music through playing guitar and singing – a creative, happy, occasionally quite noisy outlet for him.

Ticket pricing

We ask you to consider carefully what you can realistically afford without depriving yourself and your family or dependents. Supported and Concession Tickets are intended for those who are unwaged, have a low household income and/or limited funds available. In offering a range of ticket prices we aim to make the course available to as many people as possible.

£30: Supported Ticket, unwaged

£60: Concession Ticket, low income

£95: Standard Ticket, breakeven price

£130: Supporter Rate – this ticket helps us to be able to offer ‘concession’ places on our courses.

£160: Sponsor Rate – this ticket further helps us to be able to offer ‘supported’ places on our courses.

Frequently Asked Questions…

What if I miss a class?

It is ideal if you can make all the classes as this way you will gain a sound foundation in mindfulness practice. If you have to miss a class and know ahead of time, do let your course leader know. They will be able to advise you on how you can continue your mindfulness practice by using the online materials provided.

What further information will I receive?

All our course attendees will receive “Joining Information” in a confirmation email once they have purchased their ticket. This will confirm the information on the class timings, and how to access the online course.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel your booking at least 7 days before the start of the course we will refund your full course fee minus a £15 administration fee.

If you cancel your booking less than 7 days before the start of the course we will issue a 50% refund of the course fee.

Once the course has started no refunds will be issued.

If you have any questions please contact Clare at clare.carlile@me.com

For more courses like this please follow this link http://plumvillageuk.eventbrite.com