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Join this new online course bringing to life the teachings in Thich Nhat Hanh’s book Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet.
Do you have a deep sense of care for the Earth, and want to find ways to bring mindfulness to your climate response? This new online journey harnesses the wisdom of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh to teach us how to face challenging feelings and create a sense of freedom and possibility. It is designed to empower the human resilience we need to face our current situation.
We are offering this course for the next time on October 15 – December 3, 2023. Registration for this current cohort is now closed. We will run the course again in 2024 so please sign up to receive updates on future dates for this unique learning experience.
Why Take this Course?
- Balance personal wellbeing with climate action
- Begin to master difficult emotions and develop inner resilience
- Join a grounded purpose-driven community of changemakers
- Train in deep listening and compassionate communication
- Nourish a profound relationship with the Earth
- Turn your climate concern and anxiety into sustainable action
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What Does the Course Offer?
New Teaching Videos
Professionally filmed short-form teachings from Plum Village monastic and lay teachers
Talks from Thich Nhat Hanh
Specially curated archive footage of teachings on engaged Buddhism and the environment
Daily Zen Practices
New guided meditations and other mindfulness exercises to incorporate into daily life
Live events
Learn together with Plum Village monastics and lay teachers
Small Group Sharings
Four group sessions to share insights and absorb the learning with others
Bespoke Interactive Platform
To connect with each other and feel a sense of community
You will have access to the course material for 6 months after the course ends.
We have entered a period unseen before in human history that requires all hands and all hearts on deck. Whether you’re a climate activist, a scientist, a parent, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who simply doesn’t know where to begin, this course will help you respond to the current crisis from a more grounded, thoughtful, connected, and effective position
Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Chair of the Paris Climate Agreement
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What Will You Learn?
Week 1
Embracing the Pain
Become able to ground ourselves in our breath and body, to create the stability and clarity needed to handle the difficulty of our situation.
Week 2
Cutting Through Illusion
Learn to move beyond a human-centric view of the world, to break out of our separation and touch a greater wonder and mystery in life.
Week 3
Living with Courage
Face our deepest fears about our death and the possible destruction of our civilization to have the peace and energy to respond to big challenges.
Week 4
Learning to Rest
A chance to rest & restore, and to reflect on course learnings up until this point.
Week 5
Brave Dialogue
Discover strategies for listening and speaking to help us in the challenging dialogues needed to heal relationships and address the climate crisis.
Week 6
Mastering Mind & Habits
Explore how Buddhist psychology and self-compassion can help us take care of fear, anxiety, and despair, transform our habits, and identify our deep aspirations.
Week 7
Action Dimension
Identify and nurture the power of community to support us beyond this course and feel empowered to walk in the company of bodhisattvas.
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Meet your Teachers
Sister Peace, Brother Pháp Dung, Christiana Figueres, Dr. Larry Ward
Sister Chân Đức, Brother Pháp Hữu, Sister Từ Nghiêm, Anh Tran (Nho)
Brother Pháp Xả, Sister Lăng Nghiêm, Sister True Dedication, John Bell
Sister Trai Nghiêm, Felipe Viveros, Sister Tuệ Nghiêm, Sister Chân Không
Sister Định Nghiêm, Brother Pháp Linh, Sister Lực Nghiêm
Incredible to think we were on three different continents yet connected by the internet, our breath and visions for the future. I felt nourished and connected to the other participants
Ntathu, course participant
I have learned a lot, but what I have taken advantage of the most is the practice, since I feel that the course has a strong practical component, which has allowed me to train daily… I am infinitely grateful for it
course participant
Yesterday evening and this morning I was dealing with some difficult emotions, and I feel much lighter now, much more at ease… thank you for what you’re doing in this course
Fabian, course participant
Testimonials from our initial closed pilot
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What are the Practicalities of the Course?
- For the next cohort of this online course, the date for the live opening session will be on October 15 and the closing event will be on December 3.
- You will need a minimum of 3 hours per week, but we recommend you allow 5-7 hours a week to complete all elements of the course.
- There will be 4 live events (plus one optional live relaxation), which you can access via Zoom. These events will be held on Sundays, on the following dates:
- 15th October: Live opening (1 hour)
- 29th October: Q&A with monastics (1 hour)
- 12th November: Optional live relaxation (1 hour)
- 19th November: Workshop (1.5 hours)
- 3rd December: Closing (1 hour)
- In order for everybody around the world to be able to attend the live events at a reasonable hour, we offer two different course groups (cohorts) with different Live Event times. Please see our FAQs for a full listing of event dates and times for this cohort.
- We also encourage you to join a small group to follow the course with and exchange insights. These groups will meet 4 times, and you will likely be invited to choose either Fridays or Saturdays, with meeting times adapted to different time zones. The dates offered for these sharing groups can also be found in our FAQs.
Use your tears to put out the fires scorching the Earth, and your breath to redirect the waters of your heart towards wellness, justice and harmony.
Dr. Larry Ward, Senior Plum Village Dharma teacher
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Pricing
Our aim is to make the course financially accessible whilst covering the costs involved in producing and running the course and, if possible, supporting the international Plum Village monastic community.
Standard Rate | $300
This rate helps us sustain the course, the creators and community that is offering it.
Discount Rate | $200
For students and people on a lower income that are unable to afford the standard rate.
Scholarships | $0 – $60
Heavily subsidized rates for certain audiences who cannot afford the discount or standard rate
Sponsor Rate | $600
This option helps sustain the course and enables us to offer more scholarships.
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Register
Registration for the current course cohort is now closed. We will be running the course again in 2024. If you’d like to be the first to hear about future course dates please sign up for updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register?
You can register above by choosing a cohort in the timezone most suitable for you and clicking the ‘register’ button. After choosing your rate, you will need to login or create an account by entering your name and email address. Then you’ll receive an email from Plum Village with a magic login link. Once you are logged in you can select which rate and ticket option is suitable to you and proceed to payment (or complete an application form if you’re applying for a scholarship).
How does the pricing scale work for the course?
We offer an inclusive pricing system with a ‘sliding scale’ of prices as we are aware that people have different financial capacities:
- Our standard rate is €/$300, which helps us to cover the costs involved in putting this course together.
- If you are a student or on a lower income and unable to afford the standard rate, you are welcome to choose the discount rate of €/$200.
- To ensure a diverse, inclusive and accessible course, we offer scholarships on request with a rate of €/$60 or less for particular hardships.
- We have a sponsor rate of €/$600 for those who may have the capacity to contribute more, which helps us to offer more scholarships.
How do I use my scholarship coupon?
When you apply for a scholarship you will receive an email notifying you that your application has been received. Your application will then be reviewed by our team and, if confirmed, you will then receive a further email which will contain a unique scholarship coupon. You will need to go back to the registration page, ensure you are logged in, and then enter your code under ‘Order Overview’ in the ‘Coupon’ field’ and then click ‘Apply Coupon’. You should then see the updated price and you can click ‘Continue’.
What payment options do we offer?
You can make payments via Credit Card or Debit Card, and payments can be made in either Euros (€) or Dollars($).
For those who are paying in Euros you can also make your payment via Ideal, Giropay, Bancontact, Sofort, Eps’ and P24.
We are not able to accept bank transfers, and can only accept PayPal transfers in cases where no other form of payment is possible. For any questions about payment please contact us via zasp@plumvillage.org.
How can I pay if I do not have a credit or debit card, or a PayPal account?
Unfortunately, we only can offer these forms of payment. If you are not able to pay via these means, we suggest asking a friend or family member to help you.
What is the refund policy?
The intention of this course is to offer a transformative and healing online learning journey, helping people to cultivate insight, compassion, and resilience. This course has been created by much hard and loving work, and to help us sustain the course and the community that is offering it, the refund policy is as follows:
- Within 6 weeks before the course start date – 100% of the full fee may be refunded. An admin fee of €30.00 will be charged.
- Within one week before the course start date – 50% of the full fee may be refunded. An admin fee of €30.00 will be charged.
- Within two weeks after the course start date – financial refunds no longer possible, however you will be able to transfer your place to future courses if you experience personal circumstances which mean you can no longer participate on your originally chosen course dates.
- Two weeks after the course start date – Refunds or transfers no longer eligible.
Is this online course appropriate for all ages? Can children or teenagers join?
This online course is designed as an adult learning experience. If you are a parent or guardian, you may want to watch any of the videos on the online course platform first and check if you feel they may be suitable for your child to watch. Please note that in the sharing groups, themes may spontaneously arise that may not be appropriate for teenagers or children, and so it is not possible to register participants under 18. We are currently exploring how we can offer a different, more tailored experience for children and teens online. Please check our events listing for future announcements.
Can I register as a group?
We currently don’t offer a group registration option, so it would be best if you register for each individual. For the live events, you are welcome to watch them together. Similarly, for the recorded material and practices, you may like to watch together and explore practicing together as a group. It will also be possible to set up or join the same sharing group.
Can I still join the course if I live with other people?
Yes, you do not need to be in a hut on a mountain to enjoy this online course. As long as you have a quiet corner or room where you can be undisturbed, and perhaps have space to stretch, you will be able to enjoy the online course. You may need headphones, and if you are joining sharing sessions, somewhere in the house where you can speak without being heard by others. You can explain to those you live with your intention in joining the online course and ask for their support. The idea is not to cut yourself off from them, but to generate a strong energy of mindfulness, peace and presence, during the sessions, that you can bring to your in-person interactions off-screen. You will be able to apply many of the teachings on deep listening, mindful eating and so on, right away!
Will I be able to follow the course if I’m new to mindfulness, Plum Village and Thich Nhat Hanh?
This online course is designed to be accessible to those new to mindfulness practice and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as to be a refreshing and deepening experience for those who have been practicing mindfulness for some time. It is a precious chance to connect directly with our spiritual community, and to meet like-minded people concerned with the pressing issues of our times.
Can I join the course from any time zone?
This online course will be a mixture of pre-recorded video content and live events. The pre-recorded content will allow you to follow in your own time during the week.
For the live events, we ask you upon registration which time zone you would like to join as we are offering two cohorts (Sun and Moon) to ensure they are accessible to people based across the world.
The Live Sharing Group Sessions are self-organized and it’s likely that there will be groups taking place at times convenient for various time zones.
Will the Live Events be recorded?
Yes, all Live Events will be recorded, so if the live event is not at a convenient time for you, you can watch the recording afterwards which will be provided on the platform within approximately 24 hours following the Live Event. The Live Sharing Group Sessions will not be recorded.
Can I join a Sharing group in my own language?
Sharing groups are self-organized. We welcome and encourage you to join or create a sharing group in your own language if you feel more comfortable expressing your thoughts and feelings in that language. Though please be aware that we cannot guarantee that there will be enough people available to join at the same time and in the same language as you; this will depend on the other course participants.
Can more than one person join in one screen for the group sharing sessions?
We ask for one person per screen for the small group sharing sessions, so that your face can be seen more clearly, which can help to create a sense of safety and greater sense of connection. If this may not be possible for some reason, then the maximum would be two people per screen.
If we are a couple, how do we register?
We do suggest that you register as individuals and participate as an individual in the group sharing sessions.
What are the small group sharings about?
The group sharings consist of a smaller peer-facilitated break-out sharing group of about 7-9 participants who connect via video call, guided through the platform. We will include guidelines on facilitating the sharing sessions and we suggest that each participant takes turns to take on a role to help the session flow. The group sharing sessions will give us a chance to listen deeply, to speak from the heart, and benefit from each other’s insights and experience of the course. We can share our experiences, our joys, our difficulties, and our questions relating to the teachings and content in the course, and the mindfulness practices we are following together.
How is the sharing group formed? Can I choose which group to join?
In the course platform, you will be invited to join or create your own groups, and specify the time, day of the weekend and language preference. This invitation will be shared a few weeks before the course opens, so you have a good amount of time to join your chosen group and get sharing group session times in your diary. Participants will need to commit to staying in the group for all 4 sharing sessions in order to build a safe, familiar and supportive environment.
Can I change my sharing group?
Yes, you can change your sharing group after the first meeting with your group if you feel uncomfortable or if the time/date doesn’t suit you. You can opt-out of your group and join another sharing group until the 1st of November 2023. After this, it is not possible to switch sharing groups. This supports the creation of a strong collective experience within the group. Thanks so much for your understanding.
What language will the course be given in?
This online course will be offered in English. As we expand our experience and technical capacity, we hope to offer translation into more languages in future. Thank you for your patience and understanding. For the 4 small group sharing sessions during the online course, if you’d like to create a group sharing in another language, you are free to set one up and see if others are interested and available to join.
Is there any translation for the live sessions?
The live sessions will be offered in English. As we expand our experience and technical capacity, we hope to offer translation into more languages in future. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Will I receive a certificate of completion at the end of the online course?
We are working towards getting official certification for this course. You can help support us in this by filling out the pre- and post-course surveys.
How much time do I need to follow this online course?
You will need a minimum of 3 hours per week for the course, however we recommend 5-7 hours per week to get the full benefit of the teachings and practices shared. Much of the content is self-paced, and there is one live event or sharing group each week on Friday / Saturday / Sunday, as well as tailored opportunities to cultivate community and share insights and experiences with other participants.
Do I need to set time aside before the course starts?
You will need to spend some time, 1-2 hours, before the online course begins, to familiarize yourself with the course platform, learn more about the course teachers and watch some introductions to the practice and the themes in this course. We also suggest that you set up a peaceful corner of your home where you can follow the course activities online.
Is the course pre-recorded or live?
This online course is a mixture of pre-recorded content, live events and interactive elements. Our pre-recorded videos, tailored exclusively for your learning journey, gives you the opportunity to follow the content at your own pace during the week. The live events, sharing groups and interactive features gives you an opportunity to cultivate community and to share insights and experiences with fellow participants.
How long are the live events?
The live events (opening event, question and answers session, workshop and closing event) will be between 1 to 1.5 hours long, as outlined below:
- 15 October: Opening (1 hour)
- 29 October: Q&A (1 hour)
- 12 November: Guided Deep Relaxation (1 hour)
- 19 November: Workshop (1.5 hours)
- 3 December: Closing (1 hour)
The sharing sessions within self-organised groups will be 1 hour long.
Why are you offering two separate cohorts?
We are offering two separate cohorts – the Sun cohort and the Moon cohort. The cohorts only differ by the time the live events are taking place; everything else is the same. The Sun cohort live events are suitable for participants based in Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe whereas the live events for the Moon cohort are suitable for Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Will you be offering this course again?
Yes, our intention is to offer this course multiple times. If you are unable to join for this cohort, the next available option will be at the beginning of 2024. Please subscribe for updates to be among the first to hear once new dates are confirmed.
What are the important dates and times for the online course?
The important dates and times for the live events (Sundays) and sharing groups (optional Friday/Saturday) for each cohort (Sun and Moon) are listed below. Please note: Event times vary due to changes in Daylight Saving Time throughout this course cohort. You can calculate the time in your own time zone with this online time zone converter.
Sun Cohort (Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe)
The Live Events will take place on the following dates and times:
- 15th October: Live Opening
- 06.30 Paris, France | Central European Summer Time (CEST)
- 07.30 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 11:30 Hanoi, Vietnam | Indochina (ICT)
- 15.30 Sydney, Australia | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
- 29th October: Live Q&A
- 06.30 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 08.30 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 12.30 Hanoi, Vietnam | Indochina (ICT)
- 16.30 Sydney, Australia | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
Please note: On 29th October, Daylight Saving Time begins in Europe.
- 12th November: Live Deep Relaxation
- 06.30 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 08.30 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 12.30 Hanoi, Vietnam | Indochina (ICT)
- 16.30 Sydney, Australia | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
- 19th November: Interactive Workshop
- 06.30 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 08.30 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 12.30 Hanoi, Vietnam | Indochina (ICT)
- 16.30 Sydney, Australia | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
- 3rd December: Live Closing
- 06.30 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 08.30 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 12.30 Hanoi, Vietnam | Indochina (ICT)
- 16.30 Sydney, Australia | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
Moon Cohort (Americas, Africa, Europe)
The Live Events will take place on the following dates and times:
- 15th October – Live Opening:
- 11:00 Los Angeles, US | Pacific Time (PT)
- 13:00 Bogota, Columbia| Columbia Time (COT)
- 14:00 New York City, US | Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- 20:00 Paris, France | Central European Summer Time (CEST)
- 21:00 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 29th October– Live Q&A:
- 12:00 Los Angeles, US | Pacific Time (PT)
- 14:00 Bogota, Columbia| Columbia Time (COT)
- 15:00 New York City, US | Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- 20:00 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 22:00 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
Please note: On 29th October, Daylight Saving Time stops in Europe, and on 5th November Daylight Saving Time stops in North America.
- 12th November: Live Deep Relaxation Live Q&A:
- 11:00 Los Angeles, US | Pacific Time (PT)
- 14:00 Bogota, Columbia| Columbia Time (COT)
- 14:00 New York City, US | Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- 20:00 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 22:00 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 19th November: Interactive Workshop
- 11:00 Los Angeles, US | Pacific Time (PT)
- 14:00 Bogota, Columbia| Columbia Time (COT)
- 14:00 New York City, US | Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- 20:00 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 22:00 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
- 3rd December: Live Closing
- 11:00 Los Angeles, US | Pacific Time (PT)
- 14:00 Bogota, Columbia| Columbia Time (COT)
- 14:00 New York City, US | Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- 20:00 Paris, France | Central European Time (CET)
- 22:00 Nairobi, Kenya | Eastern African Time (EAT)
Sharing Group Dates
For both cohorts the sharing groups will take place on the following dates/times:
- Friday/Saturday 20th – 21st October
- Friday/Saturday 3rd – 4th November
- Friday/Saturday 24th – 25th November
- Friday/Saturday 8th – 9th December (after the course closing)
Start time: This will depend on which group you have selected to join. There will be a variety of options available so you can choose the best option for your schedule
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