Be Calm, Be Happy, Weekend Retreat

“I have learned so much this weekend and know now that to practise in this way is vital to me. Thank you”

“The opportunity to immerse myself in practice, being away with no distractions of daily life”

“Facilitators who clearly love, know and understand the practice and role-model compassion and loving kindness”

Retreat overview

Guided by experienced practitioners in the mindfulness tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh (often referred to as ‘the Father of Mindfulness’, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. and author of numerous best-selling books), Be Calm, Be Happy is an online course sharing simple and concrete ways to generate energy and wellbeing and release the stresses and strains of life.

In the 6 sessions, we teach you how to meditate effortlessly, so you can ease painful thoughts and emotions; you will also be encouraged to use mindfulness practices to bring joy into your daily life.

We invite you to join this weekend retreat comprising guided practices, group discussions and practical exercises, for a light-hearted and deep exploration of mindfulness together, in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

There will be a maximum group size of 40 people attending the retreat, with a ‘Family’ group in each session where you will meet with a smaller group of 8-10 people. The Family group will be the same throughout the weekend.

Retreat content

The six 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

• 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 low mood

Information about the retreat

This online retreat integrates 6 sessions of the Be Calm Be Happy course, from Friday evening at 18.30 to Sunday afternoon at 16.00 UK time. Each session lasts a maximum of 2 hours including a 15-minute comfort break to give you time to stretch and move away from the screen.

Fri 18.30 – 20.30 Session 1

Sat 09.30 – 11.30 Session 2

Sat 13.30 – 15.30 Session 3

Sat 18.30 – 20.00 Session 4

Sun 10.00 – 12.00 Session 5

Sun 14.00 – 16.00 Session 6

(UK time)

Who can attend?

This course is suitable for beginners, as well as those wishing to gain a fuller understanding of how mindfulness can support calm and happy living. Mindfulness is a practice originating in Buddhism and supported by neuroscience and psychology; it may be practised by those of all faiths and none.

Many of our participants learn new ways to care for their wellbeing and are able to develop positive responses to challenging situations. This online mindfulness course is attended via the internet, wherever you are. We suggest you find a quiet space where you will be undisturbed.

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

Participants are expected to attend all 6 sessions from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.

Course schedule

This course is taught from Friday evening 16th July through till Sunday 18th July.

Each class is a maximum of 2 hours long with a short comfort break in the middle.

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

Course leaders

The course leaders are Lauri Bower, Katie Sheen, Clare Belbin-Carlile and Vari McLuskie.

Lauri has been practising meditation for 30 years and met Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings in 2006, from which point she committed to putting mindfulness practice at the centre of her life. In 2008 she began researching a PhD on Thich Nhat Hanh and his teachings of mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism. With her PhD complete Lauri began teaching mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) courses and is delighted to bring this experience to a course devoted to the Plum Village mindfulness tradition. Mindfulness has become a crucial aspect of Lauri’s life and she has experienced firsthand the healing and transformational aspects of this practice. Lauri has also been teaching mindfulness for 5 years and is continually inspired by the positive changes that it can bring. She has 15 years of experience running retreats.

Katie first discovered mindfulness in 2001 and practised in various Buddhist traditions before discovering the Plum Village Heart of Manchester Sangha in 2013. Her cancer treatment in 2015 highlighted the practicality, healing nature and joyful simplicity of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and she now teaches mindfulness full-time. She offers free online tools, an app, an online course and regular events to support a calmer, happier life at her ‘Soul Nutrition’ website (www.soulnutrition.org), which she developed for her MA Education in 2012. She received the 5 Mindfulness Trainings in 2016 and was given the Dharma name ‘Dharma Light of The Heart’.

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.

Vari was ordained by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 1995 into the Order of Interbeing and as a lay Dharma teacher in 2012. Vari arrived home on her first Plum Village mindfulness retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh in 1990. Life became brighter, calmer, more enjoyable and understandable. She began to recognise how, supported by a mindfulness practice community, she could cultivate peace, love, and understanding in herself every day. It was clear that developing these qualities in herself also truly benefitted others. She put mindfulness practice and sangha at the centre of her life. Bit by bit; building her practice, accepting her shortcomings, encouraging herself through the difficulties – perceived and otherwise. Through difficult times in her life she has practiced seeing that there cannot be happiness without suffering (“no mud, no lotus”)– through the premature death of a beloved friend, through the sudden deaths of my parents, through the challenges of parenthood, through work and health challenges.

Vari has been an ordained Dharma teacher since 2012 and combines this responsibility with work as a Strategic Consultant. She has shared mindfulness in corporate settings, with female offenders and victims of sexual abuse as well as through Plum Village UK retreats and the Be Calm, Be Happy courses which she co-developed. Vari is based in the Midlands having lived many years in London.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel your booking at least 7 days before the start of the retreat, 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 retreat, we will issue a 50% refund of the course fee.

Once the retreat has started no refunds will be issued.

What further information will I receive?

You will receive “Joining Information” in a confirmation email once you have purchased a ticket. This will confirm the information on the class timings, and how to access the online course. You will receive a further email directly from the Course Leader in the week before the retreat starts, inviting you to an optional short pre-course zoom call if you are new to zoom.

If you have any questions, please contact Lauri via bcbhmindful@posteo.net