BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Plum Village UK - ECPv6.16.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Plum Village UK
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://sandpit.plumvillage.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Plum Village UK
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20260329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20261025T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251011T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251012T170000
DTSTAMP:20260524T221128
CREATED:20250811T142510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250811T142510Z
UID:69803-1760176800-1760288400@sandpit.plumvillage.uk
SUMMARY:The Art of Zen - Newcastle Weekend Mindfulness Course
DESCRIPTION:The Art of Zen was formerly Be Calm Be Happy \nWe are a UK Charity promoting mindfulness and ethical living as a path to peace\, both in ourselves and in the world. \nBased on the teachings of “father of mindfulness” Thich Nhat Hanh. \n\nCourse Overview\nThe course offers a deeper understanding of mindfulness and how it can support many aspects of your daily life. \nThe wisdom of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to find a sense of peace within ourselves\, and serenity in the face of suffering. In a supportive community of like-minded people we experience developing more kindness and compassion. \nWe will introduce and explore new ways of bringing mindfulness into our day\, not only in meditation\, but also in how we eat\, behave\, speak to ourselves and others\, and take care of ourselves. \nThis course provides\n\nAn opportunity to experience the power of practising mindfulness in a supportive community\nA grounding in Thich Nhat Hanh’s approach to mindfulness\nA programme of structured learning and guidance from experienced practitioners\, which helps build a mindfulness practice that is stable and self-reliant\nUnderstanding ways to live with less anxiety and a greater sense of wellbeing\nEthical strategies to help cope with life’s stresses and develop inner peace\n\nMindfulness encourages a sense of wellbeing moment by moment\, as well as being aware of what is happening in the present moment without reacting to it. \nWhat does the course offer?\n\nAn introduction to mindfulness\, how it works and how to practise it\nReducing feelings such as loneliness\, anxiety\, anger\, and depression by establishing a stable and lasting mindfulness practice\nA sense of connection and community by practising and sharing together with course participants\nPractical exercises to help you bring more awareness to your experiences\, understand the importance of rest\, and what it means to be more Zen\nConnecting more deeply with family and friends by learning the art of compassionate speech and deep listening\nThe art of mindfulness in everyday life as a means of generating compassion\, joy and calm for yourself and others\n\nReported benefits\n\nIncreased enjoyment of life\nIncreased ability to be calm and relaxed\nIncreased control of emotions such as anger and anxiety\nImproved sleep quality\nFewer feelings of anxiety and low mood\n\nWho can attend?\nThis course is suitable for beginners\, as well as those wishing to gain a fuller understanding of how mindfulness can support calm and peaceful 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. \nMany of our participants learn new ways to care for their wellbeing and can develop positive responses to challenging situations. \nCourse Leaders\n\nHeather Monro\n\nHeather has been practising\, studying and teaching mindfulness for 15 years. She currently serves as a Buddhist Chaplain at Durham University and is an aspirant to the Order of Interbeing. \nHaving been on a path of pursuing happiness through achievement and collecting medals on the world sporting stage\, she became fascinated with the psychological aspects of being our best selves and turned to supporting others in their journeys as a leadership coach and spiritual companion. In 2017\, feeling increasingly burnt out by pursuing conventional success she had a life-changing realisation – that most personal development just provides people with survival strategies in our broken societal system. \nShe is now dedicated to facilitating transformative journeys for both individuals and organisations through opening hearts and expanding consciousness and aspires to contributing to a more loving\, peaceful and equitable world through mindful practice and a deep understanding of interbeing. \nHeather is based in Durham and practices with the Sacred Earth and Northern Lotus Sanghas. She received the Five Mindfulness Trainings from Plum Village in 2023 and was ordained as a novice nun for a time limited period in 2025 with the dharma name Ocean of Great Dedication. \n  \n\nLetizia Nodari\nLetizia has practised in the Plum Village Zen tradition since 2002. \nShe works as a person-centred counsellor. The teachings and practices she has encountered during her retreats have helped her greatly to deepen her own self-awareness and to inform and enrich her therapeutic interventions. \nShe has attended retreats regularly to deepen her understanding of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and increase her ability to incorporate them in her daily life. During an extended stay in Plum Village Monastery at the 2022/23 Rains retreat\, Letizia was deeply moved by the light-heartedness and joyfulness emanated by the monastic community\, and by the depth and stability of their practice. Since that stay\, she has been even more determined to nourish her practice regularly and to share its transformational energy with others. \nLetizia lives in the Northeast and practises with Northern Lotus and York sanghas. She received the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings in 2024 and her dharma name is True Deep Inclusiveness. \n  \nPractical Info\nLocation\nMindful Therapies Centre\nFirst Floor\nBritish India House\n15 Carliol Square\nNewcastle Upon Tyne NE1 6UF \nUse the entrance located between Metro Repro and Body Zone. \nSchedule\nSaturday 11 Oct: 10 AM – 5 PM\nSunday 12 Oct: 10 AM – 5 PM\nWe recommend arriving 10 minutes early each day. \nParking\nThere is Pay and Display parking\, Monday to Sunday 8 AM to 7 PM. \nPublic Transport\nMetro: Monument or Manors stations.\nBus: Nearest stops are on Market Street.\nRail: Newcastle Central.\nPlease see Tyne and Wear Transport website –  nexus.org.uk – for routes and timetables. \nRefreshments\nTea\, coffee and herbal teas will be available. You may like to bring a packed lunch to enjoy mindful eating together during the break for lunch. Alternatively\, local cafes and shops are also a short walk away. \nAccessibility\nThe centre is accessible for wheelchair users and restricted mobility using a lift. Please let us know in advance if you have accessibility requirements. An accessible toilet is also available. \nAccommodation\nPlease note\, if you live outside the area you will need to arrange your own accommodation for the weekend. This is a non-residential weekend course. \nPricing\nStandard Rate | £145\nThis rate helps us to sustain the course. \nSupporter Rate | £175\nSupport others on lower income to attend. \nSponsor Rate | £200\nThis rate helps us to sustain the course and allow us to offer it to those on a lower income. \nDiscounted Rate | £95\nFor students and participants on a low income that cannot afford the standard rate. \nSupported Rate | £30\nLimited availability ticket for those with no income or specific circumstances. \nPlum Village UK is a not for profit charity based in the UK\, dedicated to sharing the practice of mindfulness and mindful living in the Plum Village tradition. \nThe pricing range enables us to cover marketing and admin costs\, and ensure the continuation of the courses well into the future. If you are not sure which rate to choose and would like some guidance\, please contact us. Nobody should be excluded from taking part based on their income or life circumstances. \nRefund Policy\nIf you cancel your booking at least 14 days before the start of the course we will refund your course fee. After this time\, no refunds will be possible. \nFrequently Asked Questions\nWhat should I bring to class?\nYou may find it helpful to bring the following with you:\n– Chairs\, mats\, bolsters will be provided. However you may wish to bring your own meditation cushion\, stool\, mat or blanket or whatever helps you to be comfortable\, particularly during the meditation sessions.\n– A packed lunch to enjoy mindful eating together during the break for lunch. Local cafes and shops are also a short walk away.\n– A pen and notebook for journaling.\n– A selection of hot drinks will be available. But if you have a favourite drink\, please bring this. \n  \nWhat should I wear?\nWe suggest you dress casually and comfortably. You may find it helpful to wear several layers\, so that you can remove/add a layer to maintain a comfortable body temperature while meditating. \n  \nWhat do I need to do to prepare?\nYou do not need to do anything to prepare for the course. This course is designed to be suitable for beginners and all the information you need will be provided. \nDuring the course we will propose some home practices and routine activities to help you integrate mindfulness and meditation into your daily life\, including Apps and links to guided meditations online. \nWhat further information will I receive?\nYou will receive an automated confirmation email once you have registered. One week beforehand you will receive an email from the Course Leaders. \nContact Us\nWe warmly welcome you onto The Art of Zen mindfulness course. If there is anything else you would like to know before the course starts\, please do not hesitate to contact us. \nWith best wishes\nHeather and Letizia \nletizianodari@plumvillage.uk\nheather@plumvillage.uk \nThe Community of Interbeing UK\nCharity Number 1096680\nPlum Village UK \n\nPARTICIPANT AGREEMENT \nPlease read the sandpit.plumvillage.uk/participant-agreement. It is important that you understand and agree to this
URL:https://sandpit.plumvillage.uk/event/the-art-of-zen-newcastle-weekend-mindfulness-course/
LOCATION:Sandpit_0690
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=:
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR