Which course should I start with?

Are you new to the practice or would you like to deepen your understanding and Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings? We offer a pathway of three courses designed to help you develop and deepen a sustainable mindfulness practice.

Which course is right for me?
This is a question we’re asked a lot!

Each course builds on the previous one, gradually deepening both understanding and practice.

The Art of Zen – Course 1

This foundational course offers an overview of key teachings and how they support each other. It helps build confidence in core practices and prepares you to participate more fully in Sanghas, retreats, and Days of Mindfulness offered by Plum Village UK.

It is especially helpful for beginners and for those wishing to refresh or re-establish a regular meditation practice.

Looking Deeply – Course 2

Looking Deeply builds on The Art of Zen, refreshing and extending your personal practice in the Plum Village tradition.

We explore Thay’s teachings more deeply, focusing on awareness of our territory—body, feelings, mind, and consciousness.

Living Mindfully – Course 3

Living Mindfully is the final stepping stone on this particular pathway.

Together we explore how to bring the Five Mindfulness Trainings (5MTs) more fully into our lives, using them as practical guidance and spiritual friends on our path of mindful living.

Who Are Courses 2 and 3 For?

Participants are expected to have either attended The Art of Zen (Course 1) or to have a regular personal meditation practice and frequently participate in a Sangha.

Already Practising?

If you already attend a Sangha or practise mindfulness at home, perhaps using the Plum Village App, you may feel that The Art of Zen is too basic for you.

And this could be true… and we would also ask: are you sure?

Having a beginner’s mind is an important part of the practice. In The Art of Zen we look at the fundamentals of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. What are we actually doing when we’re practising mindful sitting or walking? Course settings allow space for deeper exploration that aren’t always possible in regular Sangha sessions. You also have space to ask questions that relate directly to your own practice at home and daily life.

If you practise alone at home and haven’t yet experienced the benefits of meditating with others, The Art of Zen can offer a sense of the supportive and nourishing nature of Sangha practice.

Many experienced practitioners have found the Art of Zen surprisingly rich and valuable. Having the basics firmly in place can make a real difference before moving on to Looking Deeply (Course 2) and Living Mindfully (Course 3).

We warmly encourage starting at the beginning of the pathway to help deepen your practice and support a sustainable mindfulness journey.

Click here to view upcoming course dates and register

Participant Feedback

“I have tried in the past to be more mindful and used apps for meditation but never been very successful. I loved the breakout groups and when we delved deeper into issues—so many things became apparent that previously I had not considered. Being with like-minded people who wanted to learn was comforting and joyful.”

“I loved the energy that the group brought, and the way the course was conducted worked really well.”

“I gained a better understanding of some core practices, in particular silent sitting.”

“I appreciated the sharing of personal experiences to illuminate teaching, the walking meditation (up till now I’ve always resisted it), time spent with others in groups and breaks, and being in the company of motivated people.”

Cover photo by: Daniel Czura on Unsplash