Be Calm Be Happy Course

Experience how mindfulness can transform life’s stresses and increase contentment in this 6-week group course based on teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The 6-week course is delivered in a weekly 2-hour session on the same day and at the same time each week.

  • Tickets – aiming to make the course as inclusive as possible. 
  • Standard ticket £130
  • Ticket pricing range from £30 (supported rate) to £200 (sponsored rate)

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.

Week by week we 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

What will you learn?

Week 1

Introducing the teachings of mindfulness from Thich Nhat Hanh that will be our foundation for the course (and beyond).

We begin our Zen practice with the fundamental aspect of slowing down and stopping, to see what is really happening in the here and now.

Week 2

We become more aware of the brain’s tendency towards negativity and how this has come about.

We recognise the conditions of Zen already available to us

Week 3

We can understand communicating more mindfully using deep listening and loving speech.

We practise this for ourselves and others through the powerful practice of Loving Kindness meditation

Week 4

We bring mindfulness to our daily sensory experiences and recognise the impact of our choices to contribute to our sense of wellbeing.

Week 5

We recognise our interconnectedness and the interdependence with all things, developing and cultivating our compassion.

Week 6

We explore the ethical teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, and how we can integrate them into our daily lives.
We explore the ethical teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, and how we can integrate them into our daily lives.

What can support us going forward with our practice?

Throughout the course, the Course Leaders support you in finding ways to bring mindfulness more fully into your life. 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.

Alongside the weekly 2-hour group session, we support you to apply mindfulness regularly, through formal and informal exercises practised in each session.

About the course leaders

Our Course Leaders are experienced practitioners immersed in the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh with a deep aspiration to share these teachings with others.

All leaders regularly attend Sangha (group practice) and retreats, understanding the importance of having a network of support in their practice. Together they bring a broad range of experiences with backgrounds including teaching, creative arts, health, business and much more.

Testimonials from Course Participants

Practical information

  • Each 6-week course is delivered in weekly 2-hour sessions on the same day and at the same time each week.
  • In addition to the weekly sessions and in order to gain the most from the course we encourage finding around 20 minutes per day to devote to practising mindfulness.
  • Handoutsare provided each week, giving a precis of what is covered in each session and what is recommended for home practice.

To book your place on a course please select a course date at the top of this page.

Pricing

Standard Rate | £130

This rate helps us to sustain the course.

Discounted Rate | £95

For students and participants on a low income that cannot afford the standard rate.

This rate helps us to sustain the course and allow us to offer it to to those on a lower income.

If you are without income and unable to afford a ticket, please contact us here. We are able to offer one £30 supported ticket per course.

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.

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. If you cancel your booking within 14 days of the start of the course we are unable to refund you, but can transfer you to an alternative course if one is available. Once the course has started no transfers will be possible.

If you have any questions please contact us via courses@plumvillage.uk

Can I follow this course if I’m new to mindfulness?

Yes! We welcome newcomers to mindfulness as well as anyone wishing to bring mindfulness more fully into their daily life. The course helps participants gain an overview of the key teachings and how they support each other. It gives you the confidence to participate in further group activities (Sanghas, retreats, Days of Mindfulness) offered by Plum Village UK.

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 safety of all participants we do not record sessions, or 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 this way you will gain a solid foundation in mindfulness practice. If you have to miss a class and know ahead of time, do let your Course Leader know. Please refer to the handouts to see what you have missed.

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.

What is your transfer policy? 

You can transfer to different course dates, please give us at least 14 days’ notice before the course starts. After the course starts, we do not offer transfers onto other dates.