In this 6-week course we explore together how to bring the 5 Mindfulness Trainings (5MTs) more fully into our lives, using them as practical guidance and spiritual friends on our intended path of living mindfully.
We offer a concentrated examination of the 5MTs in a supportive group atmosphere of people practising together. Each week is an opportunity to explore one MT and see what challenges it presents. What parts are difficult/easy to follow now? They are an ethical way of checking in to how closely we are following what we value in life, our intentions, and making conscious decisions instead of acting habitually, without awareness.
You may enjoy this short video from Sr True Dedication explaining the importance of the 5MTs within the Plum Village tradition. NB, the trainings are not only for young people!
What to expect
The course is held online via zoom, enabling you to participate from wherever you are geographically based.
In each session we will:
- meditate together
- reflect on one training in each session, through the Course Leaders’ sharing and a relevant video
- personal reflection time and dharma sharing with the same group throughout the course.
- follow specific home practice related to each training.
You will be provided with a handout summarising each session and recordings of the guided meditations used on this course.
We recommend the book The Mindfulness Survival Kit as a companion to the course.
Please note, the course and the retreat are separate items and not conditional. You do not have to attend the retreat after the course, nor do you have to have done the course to attend the retreat. This is an optional extra.
Schedule for the Course
Each course has one weekly 2-hour session over the course of 6 weeks. Please ensure you are available for all 6 dates of the course. To view currently available course dates please visit our ticketing page
Themes for the sessions
1. An Introduction to Living Mindfully
2. Reverence for Life
3. True Happiness
4. True Love
5. Deep Listening and Loving Speech
6. Nourishment and Healing
7. Optional session explaining the content of the ceremony
Course Leaders
I found the beautiful, thoughtful, generosity of the Course Leaders (Vari and Lauri), their humour, candour and compassion most helpful.
The Course Leaders were very generous and open in their sharing of how the topic had helped them and this is appreciated. I really feel I benefited from having regular time with the Dharma teachers each week, I am sorry it ended but so grateful for the opportunity.
The way you work together is very natural and professional
This course is led by two experienced practitioners in the Plum Village Tradition. For more information about our course leaders please click here.
We recommend that everyone signing up for this course becomes a member of the Community of Interbeing (see our website at Join Us ).
