About this event
“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”
“Lauri was a calm, knowledgeable and excellent facilitator who made the learning not feel like learning!”
We are delighted to invite you to join ‘Be Calm Be Happy’ our online mindfulness course comprising guided practices, group discussions and practical exercises. Guided by an experienced practitioner in the mindfulness tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, this is an opportunity to discover simple and concrete ways to generate energy and wellbeing and release the stresses and strains of life.
In the 6 sessions, you will learn 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. There will be a maximum group size of 14 people, for a light-hearted, meaningful 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 people of all faiths and none.
Many of our participants learn new ways to care for their well-being 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 this with your Course Leader so that you can understand the content of the missed session.
Course Schedule
The 6-week course is taught on Wednesday evenings from 8th March to 12th April.
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 £130 and supporter tickets are £160.)
Course Leaders
The course leaders are Kesley Cage and Clare Beblin-Carlile.
Kesley Cage
Kesley teaches mindfulness inspired by ‘dwelling happily in the present moment’, friendship and nature connection. He was guided to mindfulness in 2012, which helped him to find freedom and healing after living through adverse experiences. His personal practice deepened in 2018 when he joined Plum Village (France), as a long-term retreatant, and received the ordination name ‘Spiritual Friend of the Heart’.
Kes feels that Thich Nhat Hanh’s mindfulness teachings empower him to befriend his inner suffering, live deeply according to his purpose, and build wholehearted friendships and meaningful community. He now resides in Somerset, where he enjoys meditation with friends, practices as a counsellor, and teaches mindfulness in a variety of settings.
In his professional experience, Kesley has shared mindfulness to assist people to take care of deep suffering. His practice includes working with young people in crisis, LGBTQ+ refugees, and people in need of a little extra support with their mental health and spiritual growth. Kesley is delighted to share his experience by offering mindfulness courses, and one-to-one practice guidance consultations supporting Plum Village UK. If you wish to learn more about Kesley’s work and mindfulness practice, then you can visit his website/read his blog, simply go to: www.kesleycage.com / lifebeyondanxiety.co.uk/blog, or, please join him and Clare on this Be Calm Be Happy course.
Clare Beblin-Carlile
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.
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 us at bcbh@plumvillage.uk
For more course dates just visit our courses page.
