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 Sundary mornings 10 am – 12 pm from 5th February to 12th March.
Each class is 2 hours long and the class timings are from 10:00 to 12:00 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 Leader
Tan Vinh Tran
In 2008, Tan began to be in touch with the mindfulness practices in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh as a way out of a personal crisis at that time.
Since then, he has been studying and practising mindfulness in this tradition and lately including other mindfulness approaches such as MBSR, SIY, MBSP. Naturally, Tan integrates mindfulness practices in his professional work and has shared this with many individuals and organizations, including multi-national organisations. He has worked in various roles in different leadership consulting firms (most recently PACE Institute of Management) and now is a co-founding member of Insight Leadership and The Flourishing Circle. Tan resides in a small mindfulness community in France with his companion and friends. He speaks Vietnamese, English, French and Norwegian. Tan’s practice name in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is True Virtue of Vulture Peak.
Ian Sneath
Ian has recently returned from living in Plum Village for two years, 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 us at bcbh@plumvillage.uk
For more course dates just visit our courses page.
