We are delighted to welcome Peta McGrath to the Meditation Australia Board. With over 35 years’ experience in adult and vocational education, including senior leadership roles with TAFE NSW, Peta brings a wealth of knowledge in leadership, communication, and learning. Her long-standing personal meditation practice, combined with formal training and nearly a decade of teaching, reflects a deep commitment to sharing the benefits of meditation in both workplace and community settings.
Below, Peta has answered a few questions so you can get to know her better.
Can you share a little about your meditation teaching journey?
I have worked in adult education for over 35 years starting as a teacher of leadership and communication then progressing to head teacher, education manager and for the past six years as a senior executive in a regional director role.
My interest in meditation was sparked initially by yoga classes in the late ‘70s and then while undertaking psychology and subjects in religion as part of my undergraduate degree. In the late ‘90’s I undertook some formal meditation study with the British School of Yoga studying Diplomas in Meditation and Healing Meditation which provided further exposure to different traditions.
Motivated to teach meditation, I undertook Meditation Teacher Training with Ian and Ruth Gawler starting in 2017. This proved to be a turning point with Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation then becoming my preferred approach to my personal meditation practice. I have been successfully delivering meditation sessions and courses in my workplace for the past nine years. In 2025, I knew that I wanted to focus on meditation teaching in a deeper and broader capacity and now teach meditation courses and workshops. I also teach on Ian Gawler’s and Daniel Traini’s Meditation Community.
What does your personal meditation practice look like, and how has meditation influenced your life?
I have been a meditator for over 30 years and spent time exploring different approaches but never really landed on one in particular until I found Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation. This is my preferred approach to my daily meditation practice.
Meditation has not only influenced my life but is an essential part of who I am. In my workplace, I was known for being a gentle leader and for being a meditator. Meditation has been the key that has allowed me the equanimity to make decisions and lead through challenging situations in a calm and clear way, and to foster respect, kindness and well-being.
What inspired you to join the Meditation Australia Board, and how do you hope to contribute to the organisation and the broader meditation community?
Having only recently stepped down from my executive role in education, I have a range of skills and experience alongside my commitment to meditation and meditation teaching that I am now able to contribute with time and enthusiasm.
I am looking forward to working alongside experienced board members to learn and build on the great work to date; help to develop new ideas, approaches and relationships when this is required and generally to be of service to Meditation Australia and the broader meditation community.
Please share something about you.
I am currently reading “An Invitation to Awareness – ma – The Japanese Secret to Contemplation and Calm” (Edited by Ken Rodgers and John Einarsen, Tuttle Publishing, 2025). It is a series of essays that as the covers says “explores the Japanese concept of ma that essentially means a ‘pause’ or ‘space’
We refer to Meditation Australia as MA and I couldn’t help but to overlay the concept of ma to MA. ma embodies contemplation and calm, enhances awareness and fosters a meditative approach to life – very much in line with MA’s vision.