Sessions

Sunday 18 Jan 10am - 3.30pm
Sunday 25 Jan 10am - 3.30pm
Sunday 01 Feb 10am - 3.30pm

Please book if you are available for all of the dates.

The Art of Zen was formerly Be Calm Be Happy

Join us for the Art of Zen course run over 3 consecutive Sundays in January and February. Each Sunday will begin at 10 am and finish at 3.30pm with a break midway. We’ll cover 2 of the 6 parts of the course each week.

The sessions will include regular short breaks, movement / exercise and a longer break for a mindful lunch.

We encourage you to take all breaks in mindfulness and with as little distraction as possible so you can get the most out of the course.

It will be helpful to plan for this in advance; organising simple, easily prepared meals for lunch; discussing with friends and family and those you live with and arranging for being fully present from 10-3.30pm each day.

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

Heather Monro

Heather has been practising, studying and teaching mindfulness for 15 years. She currently serves as a Buddhist Chaplain at Durham University and is an aspirant to the Order of Interbeing.

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 companion.

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.

Heather is based in Durham and practices with the Sacred Earth and Northern Lotus Sanghas. She received the Five Mindfulness Trainings from Plum Village in 2023 and was ordained as a novice nun for a time limited period in 2025 with the Dharma name Ocean of Great Dedication.

Sarah Hipwell

Sarah received the 14 Mindfulness Trainings in 1999 with the name True Great Beginning Anew. She has practiced mindfulness, meditation, and yoga for 42 years and in the Plum Village tradition for 27 years. Sarah’s spiritual experiences and academic qualifications are complimented by her variety of life experiences engaging with a diverse range of communities.

Since her school days she has been passionately involved in mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. She found these to be beneficial to make sense of the world, find purpose and support others. To widen her knowledge, she taught and practised whilst traveling widely. Whilst living in Plum Village she felt she had found her true home.

She has worked with students with different needs, conditions, and abilities, including SEN needs in a variety of support settings and is an Autism Ambassador for Hampshire County Council.

Sarah explores alternative ways to improve her and others’ health, such as food and holistic therapies found in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. She has worked in all levels of formal education, with the home educated community and has trained both teachers and yoga teachers.

She is enthusiastic and resolute in the desire to contribute to the community. She believes that mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are the most valuable gift.

Sarah lives in Hampshire and practises with the Romsey Sangha.

Pricing

We offer a range of pricing options from £30 - £200 with the intention that the course is available to all. We ask that you pay whatever you can afford, to enable these courses to continue.

Plum Village UK is a not for profit charity based in the UK, affiliated to Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village monastery in France, and dedicated to sharing the practice of mindfulness and ethical living in the Plum Village Zen tradition.

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. We will be unable to refund you after this time.

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

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 privacy of all participants we do not record 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.

Contact Us

We warmly welcome you onto the Art of Zen mindfulness course. If there is anything else you would like to know before the course starts please do not hesitate to contact us.

With best wishes
Sarah and Heather

On behalf of The Community of Interbeing
Charity number 1096680
Plum Village UK

heather@plumvillage.uk
sarahhipwell@plumvillage.uk

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

Please read the terms and conditions carefully. It is important that you understand and agree to these fully.