Schedule
Every Wednesday 7 – 9 PM
14, 21 & 28 Oct
3. 11 & 18 Nov
Join me for a 6-week online Mindfulness and Creativity Course, in which the only requirement is curiosity!
Are you ready for a courageous dive into creative play without any expectations?
Let yourself become a child again who picks up a crayon to make marks with no thought of whether it depicts accurately what they are seeing or what they intend.
Together we can go on a creative adventure involving words and images and the natural world around us. By consciously putting ourselves in a place of receptivity through meditation and community we can record what we connect with in words and simple images.
We can open ourselves up to receiving the magic that is available through creativity and playfully explore what is speaking to us. Inviting more curiosity than fear, we can meet the edges of our comfort zones with kindness and self-compassion and gently challenge ourselves to soften those boundaries as we allow our natural creativity to play.
My particular forms of creativity are to play with words (that often become poems) and art, through simple drawing and playing with paper collage. In this 6-session course we will play with these forms in a gentle guided way.
You’ll notice I’m using the word ‘play’ a lot! That’s because as adults we often forget to play, or think we’ve grown out of it, or feel that other things are more important. Yet just playing can spark so many different avenues, if only we let it. Signing up for this 6-week course is giving yourself permission to play.
I will offer some simple guided exercises as the starting point for creativity.
I invite you to join me and to creatively discover what happens when you give yourself time and space to play. The rhythm of our sessions will be supported by short guided meditations and the sound of the bell.
Important
Before the start of the course I will send a small pack of collage and other papers for your use.
There is a list of suggested art materials but please use what you already have, or can borrow. There is no requirement to buy these things if you don’t have access to them.
Of course we know this would be different in person, yet being online gives you the freedom to share only what you want to share. It means you can play in your own space in a way that works for you.
These live, interactive sessions are not a ‘show and tell’; there will be invitations to share what you are noticing about your experience and explore what helps or inhibits your creativity.
Course Overview
The six creative sessions are inspired by the teachings and practice of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, himself an artist and poet as well as the ‘Father of Western Mindfulness’.
Loosely following the Pillars of mindfulness we will keep returning to the qualities of Beginner’s Mind, Non-judging, Non-striving, Patience, Trust, Acceptance and Letting Go as a support for creativity.
Each session will include a guided meditation, a writing and creative exercise, and opportunity for sharing or feedback on what you are noticing. You will be encouraged to continue with these exercises throughout the week.
This Course Offers
- An opportunity to encourage wellbeing and lessen anxiety through playful creativity
- An introduction to mindfulness meditations and practices inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Guidance, support and encouragement from an experienced mindfulness and creativity practitioner
- A chance to explore themes together with like-minded people in a supportive community
Who Can Attend
This course is open to adults (18 and over). It is suitable for beginners and anyone wishing to gain a fuller understanding of how a combination of mindfulness and creativity can support wellbeing.
It is for those who think they can’t, or don’t, as well as those who think they can. There is no requirement for any level of artistry or mindfulness, just a willingness to engage, have a go and see what happens.
Course Leader: Lauri Bower
The course is led by UK Dharma Teacher Lauri Bower (Dharma name “True Mountain of Non-Fear”).
My art is mainly self-taught. I attended an Art Foundation Course as a teenager and it was the best time because we had access to many different media such as printing, photography and textiles.
I wanted to explore a degree in textiles but the universe had other plans for me. These involved dressmaking, raising children, helping start a school, teaching assistant, a degree in Religious studies (with the intention of training as a Primary school teacher), sidetracked into a PhD on Thich Nhat Hanh, teaching Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction before Be Calm, Be Happy, which became The Art of Zen.
Alongside teaching mindfulness my creative side began to blossom into poems and making books.
I’ve been meditating for nearly 40 years, and with the Plum Village tradition since 2006. I received the 14 Mindfulness Trainings Transmission in 2014 and became a Dharma Teacher this year.
I’ve been teaching and co-ordinating the Plum Village UK mindfulness courses since 2016 and co-wrote 2 further courses, Looking Deeply and Living Mindfully. I enjoy offering all three courses online and in-person. Perhaps you have attended one or more with me.
Now as a new Dharma Teacher I’m also a paper collage artist and curator of a small Art Gallery in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, and I happily let mindfulness and creativity sit side by side, each one supporting the other.
I understand the imposter syndrome that says, ‘who am I to call myself an artist? How dare I?’ And yet I can put that to one side due to my practice of mindfulness and just be someone who plays with paper and words.
My creative work (original artwork, cards, and poetry) can be viewed on my website or Instagram page. I live in Yorkshire and practise with the York Sangha.
Feedback on Lauri’s Teaching
“An excellent facilitator”.
“Lauri created a nice gentle pace each week which held us all safely”
“Lauri’s teaching style was lovely and gentle while also very informative”
“The sensitive and compassionate way in which Lauri facilitates is very inclusive”
“Kind, warm and gentle delivery”.
“Openness and authenticity”
Practical Information
Time Commitment
This 6-week course is delivered in 2-hour sessions at the same time and on the same day each week.
In addition, we encourage finding 20 minutes per day to devote to practising by yourself.
There will be an email through the week summarising what has been covered, with help for home practice, and what is needed for the next session.
List of Materials
Ideally use what you already have or can borrow. This is a suggested list echoing the items I regularly use. It isn’t necessary for you to have them all, just what you can easily access.
- Before the start of the course I will send a small pack of collage and other papers for your use.
- Paper or sketchbook – (1 for both or separate notebooks if you prefer) or loose paper.
- As much as possible use what you have, old book pages, newspaper, envelopes, packaging papers etc.
- Pencil or pen for writing (not texting or typing)
- Art materials – such as crayons, paints, pastels, pens, ink, ink pads
- Scissors
- Glue
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 and support Lauri’s Right Livelihood.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the refund policy?
If you cancel your booking at least 14 days before the start of the course we will refund your course fee. We will be unable to refund you after this time.
Can I follow this course if I’m new to meditation or creativity?
Yes! I welcome newcomers in either aspect as the quality of Beginner’s Mind is essential.
The course helps participants gain an overview of the key aspects and how they support each other.
Is this course for all ages?
The course is open to all those over the age of 18
Is this course live or recorded?
This is a live course. For the privacy of all participants we do not record any part of a session. Please check the six consecutive dates of a course before booking to ensure you are available for all of them.
What if I miss a session?
It is ideal if you can make all the sessions, as the course builds from one session to the next. If you have to miss a session and know ahead of time, do let Lauri know.
Can I join from any timezone?
This is a UK-based event. If you are joining us from outside the UK, you may wish to use a timezone converter to check your timezone works with the course timings.
Contact
I warmly welcome you onto the Playing with Mindfulness and Creativity course. If there is anything else you would like to know before the course starts please do not hesitate to contact me.
With best wishes
Lauri
mindfulness-courses@plumvillage.uk
On behalf of The Community of Interbeing
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.
