The Art of Zen course was formerly called Be Calm Be Happy
SCHEDULE
Saturday: 12 NOON – 7 PM
Sunday:12 NOON – 7 PM
We recommend arrival by 11:50 AM on both days, to settle in before the days begin.
Course Overview
The course offers a deeper understanding of mindfulness and how it can support many aspects of your daily life.
The 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.
We 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.
This course provides
— An opportunity to experience the power of practising mindfulness in a supportive community
— A grounding in Thich Nhat Hanh’s approach to mindfulness
— A programme of structured learning and guidance from experienced practitioners, which helps build a mindfulness practice that is stable and self-reliant
— Understanding ways to live with less anxiety and a greater sense of wellbeing
— Ethical strategies to help cope with life’s stresses and develop inner peace
Mindfulness 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.
What does the course offer?
— An introduction to mindfulness, how it works and how to practise it
— Reducing feelings such as loneliness, anxiety, anger, and depression by establishing a stable and lasting mindfulness practice
— A sense of connection and community by practising and sharing together with course participants
— Practical exercises to help you bring more awareness to your experiences, understand the importance of rest, and what it means to be more Zen
— Connecting more deeply with family and friends by learning the art of compassionate speech and deep listening
— The art of mindfulness in everyday life as a means of generating compassion, joy and calm for yourself and others
Throughout the course, you will be supported in finding ways to bring mindfulness more fully into your life through formal and informal exercises practised in each session. We assist you to look at making incremental, sustainable changes to your day. This allows you to make time and space for mindfulness and meditation. We encourage you to look honestly at how you currently operate and be willing to make adjustments to help you live a more authentic 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 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.
Many of our participants learn new ways to care for their wellbeing and can develop positive responses to challenging situations.
Course Leaders
Ian
Ian is a fully ordained student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, receiving the Dharma name True Insight on the Path, while living for two years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Monastery in France.
In 2014 he attended the 21-day retreat – What happens when we are alive, what happens when we die? – led by Thich Nhat Hanh. 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, whilst also building community.
Heather
Heather has been practising and studying mindfulness for 15 years following a secular path to practitioner certification and then via various Buddhist traditions before ‘coming home’ to Plum Village.
Having 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 mentor.
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. She 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.
She has spent extended periods of time practising in Plum Village France and received the 5 Mindfulness Trainings in 2023. In the same year, alongside Ian and other sangha members she hosted a visit by Plum Village monastics to Durham and founded the Sacred Earth Sangha.
Practical Information
Venue
The Crossgate Centre is located a short walk from the city centre. It is a 12 minute walk from Durham Railway station and 7 minutes from the bus station.
Car Parking
We recommend using public transport if you are able to.
There will be a limited number of parking spaces available at the centre. In the final email before the course we will confirm how many spaces we have available and allocate these accordingly. There is also on-street metered parking in the residential streets nearby @40p per half hour.
Refreshments
Tea / coffee / herbal teas will be available. You are invited to bring a vegetarian packed lunch to eat during the lunch breaks together. There are also cafes and shops close by.
Accessibility
The yoga studio is located on the 1st floor of the Crossgate centre. It is accessible for wheelchair users / restricted mobility using a lift. There is an accessible toilet on the 1st floor.
Pricing
Standard Rate | £145
This rate helps us to sustain the course.
Supporter Rate | £175
Support others on lower income to attend.
Sponsor Rate | £200
This rate helps us to sustain the course, and allows us to offer it to those on a lower income.
Discounted Rate | £95
For students and participants on a low income who cannot afford the standard rate.
Supported Rate | £30
Limited availability ticket for those with no income or specific circumstances.
Plum 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.
The 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 and we will be happy to help you. Nobody should be excluded from taking part based on their income or life circumstances.
Refund Policy
If you cancel your booking at least 14 days before the start of the course we will refund your course fee. We shall be unable to refund you later than this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there disabled access to the venue?
Yes
What should I bring with me?
- A pen and notebook for journaling.
- A meditation cushion, stool, mat or blanket – or whatever helps you to be comfortable, particularly during the meditation sessions. Chairs will be provided.
- A packed lunch. We will be invited to eat together during the break for lunch. Local cafes and shops are also a short walk away.
- A selection of hot drinks will be available. But if you have a favourite drink, or wish to bring a snack for yourself or to share, please bring this.
- Please advise us of any allergies or intolerances.
What should I wear?
Please 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 during the day and particularly while meditating. Some people bring slippers or a blanket.
What do I need to do to prepare?
You 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.
During 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.
Mobile phones
In the spirit of sustaining mindfulness, shared experience and practice, we invite participants to turn off their phones during the course and not use them around other participants during breaks. If this will be a concern for you, please get in touch.
What further information will I receive?
You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered. You will also receive an invitation email from the course leaders near to the start date with additional information about the venue, local accommodation and eateries, and the detailed course schedule. We will endeavour to answer all participants’ questions at least two weeks before the course.
Contact Us
If there is anything else you would like to know before the course starts please do not hesitate to contact us.
