Tuesdays, 7pm, Be Calm, Be Happy, Mindfulness Course

“This has been a life-changing experience”

“Thank you so much for assisting me to further my journey in such a lovely, peaceful way”

“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”

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 course comprising guided practices, group discussions and practical exercises. There will be a maximum group size of 14 people, for a light-hearted and deep exploration of mindfulness together, in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Course 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

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 Buddhist psychology and supported by neuroscience; 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.

Feedback from the online course – “The supportiveness of the whole group was lovely, and I was surprised to be able to feel that with an online course. I came away from each session feeling calm and happy”.

Commitment

For this course to be most effective, we recommend that you commit to attending all six 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 cannot make a session, then please discuss with your Course Leader so that you can understand the content of the missed session.

Course schedule

The six-week course is taught on Tuesday evenings 7-9 pm from 20th July to 24th August.

Each class is 2 hours long and the class timings are from 19:00 to 21:00 hrs UK time.

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

Once you book onto the course you will be invited to a brief pre-course Zoom orientation, to meet the Course Leader and iron out any potential difficulties in joining Zoom before the course itself starts.

Ticket pricing

We ask you to consider carefully what you can realistically afford without depriving yourself or anyone else. 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. (Tickets are from £30 to £160; our break-even cost is £95 and supporter tickets are £130, sponsors £160.)

Course leaders

The course leaders are Clare and Ian.

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.

Ian has recently returned from living in Plum Village for two years (Thich Nhat Hanh’s (Thay’s) International Mindfulness Retreat Centre). This experience allowed him to immerse himself in Thay’s deep-wisdom mindfulness teachings. Ian discovered Thay 12 years ago after studying various mindfulness teachers. In 2014 he attended the 21-day retreat, “What happens when we are alive, what happens when we die?” led by Thay. This was a deeply powerful, healing, and transformative teaching that made Ian stop, look deeply, and realise that he had been on the wrong entrepreneurial path for most of his life. Mindfulness has given Ian so much benefit, helping every aspect of his life (ethics, health, relationships, compassion, insight, concentration, livelihood, peace, kindness, openness, etc) and his volition is now to dedicate his life to continuing to deepen his practice, to lead a happy and joyful life and to help bring Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings to others.

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?

You will receive “Joining Information” in a confirmation email once you have purchased your 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 course starts, inviting you to a short pre-course zoom call.

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 on clarecarlile@plumvillage.uk

For more courses dates just visit our courses page.