The Art of Zen was formerly Be Calm Be Happy

We are a UK Charity promoting mindfulness and ethical living as a path to peace, both in ourselves and in the world.

Based on the teachings of “father of mindfulness” Thich Nhat Hanh.

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

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

Lauri Bower

Lauri has been practising meditation for over 35 years and met Thich Nhat Hanh’s (Thay) teachings in 2006, from which point she committed to putting mindfulness practice at the centre of her life. Now she is deeply immersed in offering the three Mindfulness courses for Plum Village UK, The Art of Zen, Looking Deeply and Living Mindfully courses, as well as Mindful Writing Workshops and Retreats.

Lauri has offered the The Art of Zen course over 30 times, and still finds much to gain from exploring these simple yet deep teachings.

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 is 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.

She is firmly committed to the Plum Village approach to mindfulness and 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 now an aspirant Dharma Teacher.

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 (original artwork, cards, and poetry) can be viewed from her website. Lauri lives in Yorkshire and practises with the York Sangha.

Katie Sheen

Katie lives in South Manchester and practices with Sangha in the Peak, alongside other online Plum Village Sanghas. In 2016 she received the 5 Mindfulness Trainings and was given the Dharma name Dharma Light of The Heart. This reminds her that at the foundation of her teaching is her own practice, which continues to illuminate and lighten her own heart. She is currently an Aspirant to the Order of Interbeing.

Katie first discovered Zen mindfulness in 2001, engaging with various Buddhist traditions before joining a Plum Village Sangha in 2013, which felt like home. She holds a PGCE and MA Education, is an Accredited Breathworks Mindfulness Teacher specialising in managing chronic pain, and an honorary lecturer in Team Mindfulness on the MSc Organisational Psychology at City St. George’s, University of London.

Having worked in cancer charities for 20 years, her own cancer treatment in 2015 highlighted the practicality, healing nature and joyful simplicity of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. In 2023 the story of how she used the practice to manage her diagnosis was published in Tears Become Rain, a book raising money for the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.

Practical Info

Location

Acomb Methodist Church
GARDEN STUDIO
Front St
Acomb
York
YO24 3BX

Schedule

Friday 26 Sep: 7 – 9 PM
Saturday 27 Sep: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 28 Sep: 10 AM – 3 PM
We recommend arriving 10 minutes early each day.

Travel

Front St is easily accessible from the centre of York via bus, bike or walking. It is a 40 minute walk from York Railway Station.
Free parking is available in front of the church.

Bikes
There are bike racks available at the front of the church.

Refreshments

Tea / coffee / herbal teas will be available. You will need lunch for both Saturday and Sunday. You may wish to bring a packed lunch or there is a supermarket close by.

Accessibility

The venue is single storey and fully accessible for wheelchair users / restricted mobility including accessible toilets.

Accommodation

Please 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.

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 allow us to offer it to those on a lower income.

Discounted Rate | £95
For students and participants on a low income that 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. After this time, no refunds will be possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring with me?
You may find it helpful to bring the following with you to class:

• 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.
• You may wish to bring a packed lunch or there are cafes and shops close by.
• A selection of hot drinks will be available, but if you have a favourite drink, please bring this.

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.

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.

What further information will I receive?
You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered.

What should I do if I miss a session?
 We strongly recommend that you only book onto this weekend if you can attend all sessions.

Contact Us

If there is anything else you would like to know before the course starts please do not hesitate to contact us: lauri@plumvillage.uk

With best wishes
Lauri and Katie

The Community of Interbeing UK
Charity Number 1096680
Plum Village UK

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

Please read the https://plumvillage.uk/participant-agreement/ carefully. It is important that you understand and agree to these fully.