Schedule
Every Wednesday 7 – 9 PM UK Time
15, 22 & 29 April, 6, 13 & 20 May
About this event
In this 6-week course we explore together how to bring the Five Mindfulness Trainings (5MTs) more fully into our lives, using them as practical guidance and spiritual friends on our intended path of living mindfully.
There will be one weekly 2-hour session over the course of 6 weeks.
This is the third course in the series, following on from The Art of Zen and Looking Deeply.
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 the short video below from Sister True Dedication explaining the importance of the 5MTs within the Plum Village tradition. Note however – the trainings are not only for young people!
What to expect
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.
For those who wish to receive the transmission of the 5MTs, ceremonies for this are held from time to time at some of our retreats. Please see the retreats page on our website for the latest information as to at which retreats this might be possible.
Please note, the course and taking the trainings are separate items and not conditional. You are not necessarily expected to receive the 5MTs after the course, nor do you have to have done the course in order to receive them. This is an optional extra.
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
Pricing
We offer a range of pricing options from £30 – £200 with the intention that the course is available to all. We ask that you pay whatever you can afford, to enable these courses to continue.
Plum Village UK is a not for profit charity based in the UK, affiliated to Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village monastery in France, and dedicated to sharing the practice of mindfulness and ethical living in the Plum Village Zen tradition.
For more courses like this please visit our website: plumvillage.uk/learn-mindfulness
We recommend that everyone signing up for this course becomes a member of the Community of Interbeing – please see our website at Join Us
Course Leaders
Each course is led by two experienced practitioners in the Plum Village Tradition.
Lauri Bower
Lauri lives in Yorkshire and practises with the York Sangha.
Lauri received the transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings at Plum Village in 2014 to become an Order member. Her True name is True Mountain of Non-Fear. She is currently an Aspirant Dharma Teacher.
Lauri has been practising meditation for over 35 years and met Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings in 2006, from which point she committed to putting mindfulness practice at the centre of her life. From 2008-12 she researched a PhD on Thich Nhat Hanh and his teachings of Mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism.
With her PhD complete Lauri began teaching mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) courses and is delighted to bring this experience to courses devoted to the Plum Village mindfulness tradition. Mindfulness has become a crucial aspect of Lauri’s life and she has experienced first-hand the transformational aspects of peacefulness, calm and clarity that this practice generates. She has many years’ experience of running and organising retreats.
Lauri also has a creative practice as a paper collage artist and finds the combination of mindfulness and creativity fit together extremely well. Her creative work (paper collages, cards, and original artwork) can be viewed from her website.
You can find her PhD research published as a book here, In The Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh; Mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism
Ian Sneath
Ian spends time between Plum Village France and the UK and practices predominantly with Nottingham Deep Roots and Durham Sacred Earth Sanghas.
Ian lived in Plum Village for two years. This experience allowed him to immerse himself in Thay’s deep-wisdom mindfulness practices. During this time Ian received ordination in the Zen Buddhist tradition, becoming an Order member with the True name True Insight on the Path.
Ian discovered Thay in 2010 after studying with 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.).
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, whilst also building community.
Frequently asked questions
What is your cancellation policy?
If 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.
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.
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 Facilitator in the week before the course starts.
Can I join from a different timezone?
This is a UK-based event, but you are free to join from anywhere. If you are joining us from outside the UK, you may wish to use a timezone converter such as worldtimebuddy.
The Community of Interbeing UK
Charity Number 1096680
Plum Village UK
PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
Please read the terms and conditions carefully. It is important that you understand and agree to these fully.
