Be Calm, Be Happy Zen Mindfulness Course

About the course

Be Calm, Be Happy is a twelve hour course teaching mindfulness and meditation in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, as an effective counter-balance to the stresses of life and an opportunity to become calmer and happier.

Thich Nhat Hanh is revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling books on mindfulness.

He was proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 by Martin Luther King in recognition of his work for peace during the Vietnam War, and has been a pioneer in bringing Buddhism to the West in a way that is practical and relevant for our everyday lives.

In 1975 he founded a practice community in France that became the Plum Village monastery. There are now 6 monasteries and dozens of practice centres in the United States, Asia, and Europe, providing an extensive network of support for those wishing to practice mindfulness.

This course has been developed by Plum Village UK and is approved by monastics at the Plum Village practice centre in France. It welcomes both beginners and more experienced practitioners, of all faiths or none.

Course overview

Be Calm, Be Happy provides a gradual introduction to mindfulness and meditation, and to key teachings on peaceful, happy living over six sessions.

Each session includes guided mindfulness exercises and meditations, group discussions and practical exercises led by an experienced facilitator in a warm, friendly atmosphere. All course material is supported by handouts and meditation recordings.

Course outline

Session 1: Stopping and calming

Session 2: Turning to the positive

Session 3: Loving communication

Session 4: Nourishing happiness (including mindful eating)

Session 5: Interdependence and community

Session 6: Guidelines for a happier life

Reported benefits

Be Calm Be Happy Thich Nhat Hanh mindfulness course

People who have taken the course have reported a wide range of benefits including:

  • 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 depression

Course formats

This course is taught on Zoom as either a 6 weeks course or a weekend retreat with spacious screen breaks.

Who can attend

This course is suitable for adults, both beginners and those with previous experience of mindfulness and meditation. We welcome those of all faiths and none.

Katie Sheen is one of the Plum Village UK team of Course Leaders, and has been teaching the Be Calm, Be Happy course since 2016.

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