THE ART OF ZEN

The path to calm & peace in a chaotic world

Western civilization places so much emphasis on the idea of hope that we sacrifice the present moment. Hope is for the future. It cannot help us discover joy, peace, or enlightenment in the present moment”.- Thich Nhat Hanh 

In today’s world, stress and busyness have become the norm, pulling us away from the present moment and toward endless to-do lists, anxieties, and ambitions. What if there was a way to cultivate peace and calm as an antidote to all this busyness? That’s the promise of Zen—a Buddhist tradition that teaches us how to find balance, even in a chaotic world.

Our well – known course Be Calm Be Happy is now becoming The Art of Zen. First in the pathway of the Mindfulness courses offered through Plum Village UK keeps the great and tested course content, however new title reflects more clearly the roots and the aim of the course: to help you find joy, peace, and clarity through mindfulness.

What is Zen?

Zen is a Buddhist tradition that emphasizes “peaceful and calm” awareness—a state of being we can develop to counter the stresses of everyday life. As Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, affectionately known as Thay, explains, our culture often places so much importance on future hopes that we sacrifice the present moment. In his words, “Hope is for the future. It cannot help us discover joy, peace, or enlightenment in the present moment.”

What to expect.

This course offers different outcomes for each person, based on their unique journey. Here are just a few possibilities shared by past participants:

  • A practice that counterbalances anxiety and trying to fix things

  • Feeling more relaxed and joyful

  • A resolution to practise mindfulness meditation every day for 10 minutes or more

  • Taking a mindful walk regularly and slowing down enough to engage with what is happening externally

  • Bringing the concept of informal mindfulness into daily life, such as stopping whilst boiling the kettle and breathing instead of rushing off to fill those few minutes with jobs

  • Being kinder to self and others through practising mindful communication

  • Finding a group (Sangha) to practise with as well as meditating alone, something they wouldn’t have contemplated before the course

  • Regularly stopping for 10 breaths instead of rushing through the day at full speed.

Ultimately, what we hope you gain from The Art of Zen is simply this: that you become more mindful than when you started. And while that may sound small, it’s actually a lot.

Make it stand out.

  • “It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

    Laurie Payton

  • “It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

    Jamie Kokot

  • “It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

    Lindsey Beumer

  • “It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

    Keith Finley