We are delighted to announce that Tim James, founder of Meditation Life, has been appointed as Meditation Australia’s new Strategy and Operations Lead. Drawing on a diverse background in engineering, management, mentoring, community development and meditation education, Tim brings both strategic expertise and a deep commitment to the practice and teaching of meditation. Having served on the Meditation Australia Board for the past two years, he is well placed to help guide the organisation’s day-to-day operations, support our members, strengthen systems and partnerships, and help bring our strategic vision to life. We warmly welcome Tim into this important role and look forward to the energy, experience and heart he brings to the Meditation Australia community.
Below, Tim has answered a few questions so you can get to know him better.
Can you share a little about your meditation teaching journey?
After meditating for more than a decade and experiencing many wonderful benefits, I found myself burnt out for a second time and reflecting deeply on how I wanted to contribute and what felt most meaningful. That lead to studying with Lisa Forde and sharing meditation and mindfulness with others. I’m now in my 10th year of facilitating community meditation groups, something I love dearly. For the past 8 years mentoring 1-1 has also been a huge part of my journey, walking alongside student meditation teachers within the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness (ACMM) course and electives.
As part of my role with ACMM I was fortunate to facilitate ACMM’s business program supporting teachers develop their meditation business. Whilst in the midst of this, Lisa and I created a community placement program that I now coordinate, helping emerging teachers gain practical experience and confidence. I continue to also offer community groups, 1-1 mentoring and occasional corporate programs.
My teaching is grounded in mindfulness, compassionate self-inquiry and self-compassion, whilst exploring a range of practices and traditions. To me, the heart of meditation is the same and I love exploring the different paths pointing to and living from this heart.
What does your personal meditation practice look like, and how has meditation influenced your life?
My meditation practice is a blend of formal and informal that naturally changes from day to day subject to what’s happening. It’s underpinned by a regular morning sit for about 30 minutes.
Meditation has shaped my life in ways that are difficult to put into words.
It feels like it saved me when in the depths of despair some years ago, opening me to what was beyond identification with the mind, to the expansiveness of who I am. My practice and unfolding continuing since, ever expanding and deepening. It feels like there’s more space whilst also a greater intimacy with life, and a love for simply being human.
What inspired you to the Operations and Strategic Lead role, and how do you hope to contribute to the organisation and the broader meditation community?
Meditation Australia is supporting teachers in so many ways do what they do and growing connection and compassion in the community. Having been involved with the Board for the last 2 years, learning and contributing, it simply feels natural to become more involved. To play a greater hands-on role in the strategic and day to day operations is something I’m incredibly excited about and enjoying. It’s a privilege to contribute to the rich legacy of MA and continue to support teachers and further develop and promote the teaching and practice of meditation.
My background includes engineering, management, consulting and mentoring, charitable work and for the past 9+ years my own business Meditation Life. It feels like this role weaves these experiences together into an organisation that has meditation and the community at its core. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come and what we can create together in the years ahead.
Please share something about you.
One of my favourite quotes at the moment is from Meister Eckhart, “Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” For me this speaks to the heart of meditation and life.
No matter how much experience we have, each day invites us to meet the moment with fresh eyes, curiosity and humility, a reminder I’m returning to often amongst the messiness and beauty of life.