Before we begin any new journey or project, there’s often a moment of resistance—a kind of pushback before we move forward. It’s a time when the mind fills with worries, concerns, and “reasons” why we might not succeed or the challenges we might face. This was certainly true for me when I first decided to train as a meditation teacher. In many ways, it’s the mind trying to keep us safe by holding us within our comfort zone.
More than anything, the worry that kept resurfacing for me was the belief that I wasn’t the “right type of person” to teach meditation. Throughout the enrolment process, I was convinced that when I arrived at the training, I’d be surrounded by people in white, flowing clothes, or monks and yogi’s, and that I’d be the only “regular” person there. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised just to have been offered a place on the course.
That sense of surprise continued when I actually began the training. I found myself among a group of wonderfully “normal” people, including a beauty therapist, a teacher, a shop owner amongst others. Even the instructor seemed pretty down to earth.
Now, almost ten years later and having delivered meditation teacher training myself for the past seven of those, I’ve come to realise that this concern is incredibly common. Many people worry that they don’t fit the mould. But one of the things I love most about this work is the rich mix of people it brings together. Over the years, I’ve taught many, many people from all walks of life including clergy members, army veterans, doctors, personal trainers, bar owners, teachers, and business professionals to name a few. Of course, we do welcome yoga teachers, holistic therapists, and counsellors who are looking to integrate meditation into their existing work, but we also see people from all walks of life who simply want to bring positivity, support, and a sense of calm into their corner of the world.
This celebration of difference is reflected in how we train our teachers, too. When our trainees go on to lead their own sessions, the people they work with will also come from diverse backgrounds, as the beauty of meditation is that it is for everyone. During the course, we place a strong emphasis on creating a safe, accessible space where all individuals feel supported and at ease. We do this by, for example, using inclusive language, offering options and modifications within practices, and guiding rather than instructing, allowing each person to have their own experience.
We also embrace diversity through the range of meditation styles we teach. Our trainees learn ten different approaches, enabling them to support students in finding what works best for them. After all, we are all unique, with different minds, bodies, and needs, and meditation should meet us where we are.
So, if you’ve been considering training as an externally accredited meditation teacher but feel you’re not the “right type” of person, or if you’ve been curious about meditation but aren’t sure it’s for you, please know this: there is a place for you here. By choosing the British School of Meditation, whether to learn meditation with a registered teacher or to train yourself, you’ll be joining a warm and inclusive community.
Let this be your sign to take that next step. I’m so glad I did.