The forms, traditions and philosophies of meditation teaching, the training and experience of individuals, and the structure of teacher training courses may vary widely and differ in emphasis, but in general applicants for membership must demonstrate the competencies shown in the Curriculum Guidelines shown in the table below.
The number of hours shown for each competency is indicative, not prescriptive, and is intended to provide a conceptual basis for achieving each particular competency. Hours shown are ‘learning hours,’ not necessarily ‘contact hours’, however a minimum of 30% face to face contact hours is required.
As a prerequisite for membership, applicants should have a minimum of two years personal meditation practice.
CURRICULUM GUIDELINES & APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION
MA is the national peak body for the registration and representation of meditation teachers from all styles and traditions of meditation.
MA carefully sets standards for meditation teaching, to protect both the public and the standing of meditation in the community.
CURRICULUM GUIDELINES AND MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
This table outlines the requirements for with MA regsitration as a Provisional Member which requires a minimum of 80 hours of study.
Full membership requires in addition, 30 hours of teaching, bringing the total hours to 110; and must also include 8 hours of supervision and guidance by a mentor who is an accredited MA teacher.
| Area of Competency | Aim | Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theory & Practice | Provide students with an understanding of how meditation works and how to practice skillfully. Ensure that students have an appreciation for — and exposure to — a broad variety of techniques and approaches. Provide students with the knowledge and vocabulary to clearly define key practices and concepts. | 30 |
| Teaching Methodology | How to present meditation in easily understood terms. How to guide meditation skilfully. How to recognise signs of meditative states. How to structure group and individual sessions. How to adapt a teaching environment to meet specific needs. | 30 |
| Student Management | Ethical responsibilities including confidentiality, legalities, insurance, membership with professional bodies, and referrals to and from health and mental health practitioners. | 5 |
| Science of Meditation | Introductory understanding of the physiology, psychology and neuroscience of meditation, including brain functioning, and the impact of meditation on behaviour and cognitive functioning. Understanding of therapeutic aspects of meditation on stress, anxiety, pain and illness. | 10 |
| History of Meditation | Study of meditation history and philosophies from various texts. Investigation into use of meditation in complementary forms such as yoga, tai chi and qi gong. | 5 |
| Specialty Areas | Specific areas of study. e.g. Teaching meditation to children.* | As applicable. |
| TOTAL HOURS* | 80 |
APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION
There are three levels of registration with Meditation Australia:
- Provisional
- Full
- Senior
Criteria and application for Provisional Membership
- Complete two years of personal meditation practice
- Complete 80 hours of training with either an approved training provider or a provider that meets the curriculum guidelines
- Minimum of 30 or 30% of total hours of learning hours must be face-to-face. (Online courses are accepted provided this component of the training is delivered live).
- Complete the online application form
- (Note: It is expected that Provisional members will undertake to become Full members within two years of teaching.)
- Criteria and application for Full Membership
- Meet the above requirements for Provisional Membership
- Complete 30 hours of meditation teaching
- Receive a minimum of eight hours mentoring from a MA registered teacher (see Mentoring Guidelines)
- Complete the online application form
- Criteria and application for Senior Membership
- Evidence of teaching in an consistent capacity for 10 years or more
- Provide 2 written references from senior meditation teachers
- Provide written evidence of ongoing professional development and demonstrate a genuine contribution to the teaching and practice of meditation
- Contact us directly if you feel you qualify for this category.
- This type of application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Vocational pathway
If you have learned to teach meditation on the job, either informally with a private mentor, you may still apply to be a registered teacher with MA. To do so you must:
- Have a minimum of 2 years personal meditation practice
- have been teaching meditation regularly for at least two years
- prior to commencing work as a meditation teacher, have received either formal or informal meditation teacher training.
To apply:
- Provide two formal letters of reference from recognised meditation teachers, organisations, employers or health related professionals. These letters must describe your teaching experience, endorse your teaching practice, and recommend that you be accepted for membership.
- This type of application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
REGISTERED TEACHER TRAINING ORGANISATIONS
How to register your teacher training course with MA
Registered meditation teacher training courses must meet MA’s Curriculum Guidelines and Membership Criteria as well as our professional and ethical standards. If you would like to enquire about registering a meditation teacher training course, please contact us.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is meant by ‘learning hours’?
Learning hours are the anticipated hours spent learning in order to achieve a particular competency. For example it may take one student four hours to read set material and write a reflective response, however it may take another student in the same course six hours to complete the same task. Therefore it is to be understood that learning hours provide an approximated indication of competency. Learning hours must be able to be demonstrated and compliance assessed, for example by curriculum documents, course notes, a participation diary, course assessment etc.
Can some of my teacher training be done online? What if I don’t have enough hours in each of the curriculum areas?
Meditation teacher training courses may have an online component. This is of particular relevance for those who live in rural and remote areas. However, a minimum of 30% or minimum 30 hours of your course content must be delivered face to face or live on line. Whether that is direct contact within the structure of a teacher training course or supervisory contact from a third party in a mentoring or peer review setting. MA provides a convenient mentoring structure and agreement for those who are not able to obtain direct contact within the context of a teacher training course. Please see the Mentoring Guidelines for further information.
What if I don’t have enough hours in each of the curriculum areas?
The number of hours shown for each competency is indicative, not prescriptive, and is intended to provide a conceptual basis for achieving the particular competency. There are also variations in the forms, traditions and philosophies of meditation teaching, with different emphases on the various competencies. Nevertheless, your overall training and experience must demonstrate the competencies required. Where there is a gap in your training or experience, you should seek out specific training to address the deficiency. You may also be able to bridge this gap by entering into a mentoring arrangement with a more senior teacher.
What if I don’t feel experienced enough as a new meditation teacher?
Engaging in a mentoring arrangement with a more senior teacher for a period of time will increase both your competence and confidence. Doing this in a structured, documented way will also increase your hours of practicum, shown in the Curriculum Guidelines and Membership Criteria table above.
How can I use the MA registered teacher logo?
Members can use the MA registered teacher logo in their advertising and promotional materials. Use of the logo is limited to locations directly related to your teaching ie the logo cannot be used in such a way as to suggest that MA has recognised any other aspects of your business: only your meditation teaching. At all times your right to use this logo is at the discretion of MA.