meditation

7 Best Meditation Courses For Beginners in 2024

Meditation is the foundation of healthy and happy mind. It’s the gateway to higher consciousness and blissful states of being. Meditation is a very basic practice that when used consistently can truly transform your life, thinking, and way of being. Many seek out the path of meditation for their personal development journeys only to be bombarded with too many options of where and how to learn. Others have no idea where to start or how to meditate properly. A beginner’s meditation course will show you the ropes and get you on your feet to start practicing meditation asap. I’ve compiled a list of the best meditation courses for newbies who want to learn the life changing practice. These are the 7 best meditation courses for beginners in 2024. Nurture Your Spirit’s top picks: 7 Best Meditation Courses of 2024 Teacher Price Course Duration Meditation University’s Meditation Masterclass Kevin Ellerton $299 5 hours Palouse Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course Jon Kabat-Zinn FREE 50 hours (over 8 weeks) Ryan Molkentin’s Spiritual Awakening Accelerator Ryan Molkentin $67 2 hours Graham Nicholls’s Meditation Accreditation Course Graham Nicholls $129.99 7.5 hours Michaël Bijker’s Breathwork & Meditation Course Michaël Bijker $124.99 18.5 hours Ian Tucker’s Beginner’s Guide to Meditation Ian Tucker $59.99 1.5 hours Mindfulness Daily at Work: Mindfulness Course Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield FREE 8 hours (over 40 days) Best Meditation Courses For Beginners in 2024 #1 Meditation University’s Meditation Masterclass Taught by the founder of Meditation Magazine and Meditation University, Kevin Ellerton’s Meditation Masterclass makes our #1 spot. This beginner’s course to meditation teaches you everything you need to know about meditation as well as gives you a certification after completion. Kevin Ellerton’s Meditation Masterclass makes #1 on our list for its depth of teaching as well as its fantastic guided meditations. Noteworthy for: The most comprehensive and in depth meditation course for beginners Teacher: Kevin Ellerton Hosted on: Meditation University Duration: 5 hours Price: $299 Rating: 4.6/5 Check it out here. #2 Palouse Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course For a totally free yet very good introduction to meditation, the Palouse Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction will help you start your meditation journey. Taught by Jon Kabat-Zinn, this meditation course is free of charge and gives you an in-depth start to basic mindfulness meditation. Noteworthy for: Best free meditation course for beginners Teacher: Jon Kabat-Zinn Hosted on: PalouseMindfulness.com Duration: 50 hours (over 8 weeks) Price: FREE Check it out here. #3 Ryan Molkentin’s Spiritual Awakening Accelerator Break into greater consciousness in just 7 days with Ryan Molkentin’s Spiritual Awakening Accelerator. This course teaches several meditation techniques and other spiritual practices to experience spiritual awakening. If you’re looking for a course on meditation with an emphasis on spiritual awakening look no further! The Spiritual Awakening Accelerator gives you an introduction to meditation and all of the tools needed to break into blissful higher consciousness. Noteworthy for: An emphasis on spiritual awakening and attaining higher consciousness Teacher: Ryan Molkentin Hosted on: NurtureYourSpirit.org Duration: 2 hours (over 7 days) Price: 67$ Rating: 5/5 Check it out here. #4 Graham Nicholls’s Meditation Accreditation Course Graham Nicholls’s Meditation Teacher Certification is perfect for those looking to get a basic certification in meditation. Do you want practice and teach meditation? Look no further! Often on sale for $19.99 or less, this course will teach you everything you need to know about practicing and leading meditation. Noteworthy for: Receiving an accredited meditation teacher certification on completion Teacher: Graham Nicholls Hosted on: Udemy Duration: 8.5 hours Price: $129.99 (though often on sale for much less) Rating: 4.7/5 Check it out here. #5 Michaël Bijker’s Breathwork & Meditation Course #5 on our list is Michaël Bijker’s Breathwork & Meditation Course. If you want to learn both meditation and breathwork (pranayama) in one course, this is the course for you. Expert meditation and breathwork teacher Michaël Bijker goes in depth on many techniques and several guided sessions in this 18.5 hour course. Noteworthy for: Best for learning breathwork and meditation Teacher: Michaël Bijker Hosted on: Udemy Duration: 18.5 hours Price: $124.99 (often on sale for much less) Rating: 4.7/5 Check it out here. #6 Ian Tucker’s Beginner’s Guide to Meditation Are you totally new to meditation? If you just want to dip your toe in the meditative waters, then Ian Tucker’s Beginner’s Guide To Meditation is perfect for you. At just 1.5 hours and often on sale for just $11.99 this course will give you a bitesize start to meditation. Many meditation courses are overly long and overwhelming, if you want a simple and straigtforward meditation course, this is it! Noteworthy for: Best short beginner’s meditation course Teacher: Ian Tucker Hosted on: Udemy Duration: 1.5 hours Price: $59.99 (often on sale for much less) Rating: 4.9/5 Check it out here. #7 Mindfulness Daily at Work: Mindfulness Course Another great free option is Tara Brach’s and Jack Kornfield’s Mindfulness Course. Over 40 days these expert teachers will share a few minutes of meditation knowledge with you at no cost at all. Not only does it teach you the basics of mindfulness meditation, but there are several guided meditations along the free 40 day course. Noteworthy for: Best for basic mindfulness meditation Teacher: Tara Brach & Jack Kornfield Hosted on: TaraBrach.com Duration: 8 hours (over 40 days) Price: FREE Check it out here. Why Take A Meditation Course? While there are many free resources available online to learn meditation today, a course offers several advantages that might be worth considering: Think of it like this: free resources can provide a taste of meditation, while a course is a full-fledged training program. It equips you with the knowledge and guidance to establish a sustainable practice. Looking to become a certified meditation teacher? See the 7 Best Meditation Teacher Training Certifications of 2024. Free vs. Paid Meditation Courses While both can lead you to a successful meditation practice, free and paid courses have some key differences to consider: Free Courses: Paid Courses: Choosing The Right Course: Ultimately, the best course is the one that fits your individual needs and preferences. Other Meditation Resources If you’re not ready

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Body Vibrations During Meditation: Causes & Explanation

Vibrations, humming, tingles, and buzzing in the body are to be expected at different times on your meditative journey. I’ve experienced all kinds of strange energy in my body while meditating and practicing other spiritual techniques. Here’s the basic reason it happens: You may simply be tapping into bodily sensations like your heartbeat. It’s also very possible that you’re awakening specific types of spiritual energy in your body. This can happen when chakras become activated, kundalini awakens, or when you begin shifting into the astral. In almost all of these scenarios you are perfectly safe. Why your body is vibrating during meditation There are so many possible causes of body vibrations during meditation. We’ll start off by discussing the most mundane and likely causes of this body buzzing. Later we’ll discuss what it means in specific locations in the body. You are feeling your heartbeat The simplest explanation for feeling vibrations in your body is that you’re becoming aware of the sensations of the heart. Your heart can create vibrations in your chest and body. The blood being pushed around your vessels can cause a subtle buzzing feeling when you sit still and quiet enough. Though this can be frightening at first, it’s totally normal and you’ll get used to the feeling with further mindful practice. Hyperventilation body tingles Another possibility is that your body tingles may be caused by your breathing. If you’re breathing deeply and intensely you may be experiencing a phenomenon known as respiratory alkalosis. Breathing too heavily while meditating can cause a reduction in the CO2 in your blood to a point that causes your blood pH to change. This change can cause tingling and buzzing in your body, often starting with your toes and fingers while working its way up into the body. This can be easily reversed by slowing down your breathing. Vibrating in your forehead If you experience vibrations specifically in your forehead during meditation you may be activating your third eye chakra. This happened to me during a spiritual practice right before I broke into vivid consciousness. Buzzing or vibration in your forehead is a sign of third eye activation. This happens when a lot of bodily and spiritual energy becomes active in this specific energy center of the body. The intensity of this buzzing can often be very uncomfortable. Vibrating in your throat Meditation can cause the awakening of all kinds of energy centers in the body. One such energy center is the throat chakra. If you feel vibrating in your throat you may be opening your throat chakra. This is a rarer symptom of throat chakra activation, but nonetheless does happen. If your throat is buzzing during meditation you can simply mindfully observe it or begin humming along with it to enhance the throat chakra opening. Vibrating in your chest The chest is a common location for vibrations to occur in during meditation. This is because the heart, one of the greatest energy centers in your spiritual system, is located here. You may simply be feeling your heart beating more intensely due to an increase in awareness. But you may also be opening your heart energy center during meditation. It’s a common experience among meditators and often catches them off guard. The opening of your heart chakra can be very intense including symptoms like: When this occurs simply surrender and relax. Allow the heart to open and enjoy the experience. Vibrating in your hips Vibrations in your lower body, base of the spine, and hips are signs of sacral chakra activation. This is also a sign of awakening Kundalini. Your Kundalini is held dormant at the base of the spine and can begin shooting up the body when activated. This can be a very intense vibratory experience. Chakra openings of any kind can cause vibrations in the body, and kundalini can forcibly open up your chakras. It’s entirely possible that your meditation practice can cause this to happen. Kundalini can also manifest itself as body convulsions, shaking, and shivering. An important note about Kundalini If you think you may have accidentally activated your kundalini it’s important to handle it correctly. Mishandled Kundalini can result in Kundalini Syndrome. See my guide to handling an unexpected Kundalini awakening. Your body is preparing for astral projection You may be getting into such a deep meditative state that your consciousness is preparing for an out of body astral experience. The state that comes before astral projection is known as “The Vibratory Stage“. In this stage of the astral projection process your body will begin to intensely vibrate from head to toe. Once in the vibratory stage you can begin visualizing yourself rising from your sleeping body to enter into an out of body experience. This is a very real phenomenon. You can induce this vibratory stage of astral projection in your meditations by practicing VELO (Voluntary Energetic Longitudinal Oscillation). How to handle body vibrations during meditation You have 3 main options when you’re experiencing body vibrations. Not all options are best for every situation. It’s best to discern which is best for yourself. 1. Stop meditating If this is too uncomfortable for you simply stop meditating and try again tomorrow. These vibrations can sometimes be scary and uncomfortable so it’s okay to just stop. Sometimes, stopping meditation won’t work. In that case follow option #2. 2. Surrender to it You have the option of observing and allowing the buzzing in your body. This is my preferred method. This will allow you to figure out what is going exactly and why. Surrendering to the vibrations will also facilitate the flow and eventual dissolution of the energy in your body. 3. Intensify it In some scenarios you may want to intensify and expand the energy and vibrations in your body. This is likely the case if you want to continue into an astral projection experience or if you want to open one of your chakras that is activating. There are specific practices you can do

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Why Is My Heart Racing During Meditation?

If you’ve experienced a racing heartbeat during meditation you know it’s not very pleasant. It can even be a bit of a scary experience. Why does this happen and can you even stop it? The truth is your heart might be racing for several reasons during meditation. One is that you’re simply becoming aware of your heartbeat during mindful practice which can be a jarring experience. You might also be experiencing some anxiety which could be speeding up your heartrate. It’s also possible that your body is tapping into a divine energy known as Kundalini, though this is not the most likely reason. Whichever of these you’re experiencing, none of them are dangerous or need to be worried about. You’re becoming aware of your heartbeat You might simply be raising your awareness enough to start truly feeling your heartbeat for the first time. If you’ve never really slowed down enough to feel your powerful heart pumping blood it can be a jarring experience. The fact may be that your heart isn’t actually speeding up, but your awareness is just becoming deep enough to notice the heart beating very intensely. This can then actually cause anxiety which then leads to your heart racing more. Meditation may be causing you anxiety This probably sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes meditation can actually cause anxiety. Meditation can cause us to see a lot of anxiety inducing things about ourselves. You might be experiencing meditation anxiety. Maybe feeling your heartbeat itself is anxiety inducing which is causing thoughts of your own mortality and the thought “this is the only thing keeping me alive”. That’s a powerful thought which can lead to a fear response in the body. This can lead to a cyclical effect where feeling your heartbeat creates a fear response which then releases adrenaline which causes an even higher heart rate. Kundalini can cause a racing heartbeat Though unlikely you may also be experiencing a release of Kundalini energy. Kundalini is a powerful divine energy that resides in the body which can be triggered by practices like deep meditation. The symptoms of Kundalini being awakened in the body include racing heart, body shakes, feeling energy shooting up the body. What can you do about a racing heart during meditation? There are a couple approaches you can take to a racing heart during meditative practice. 1. Continue meditating anyways The first thing you can do is sit through the discomfort and continue meditating anyways. A racing heart is usually caused by fear in minds which our body responds to. To get over this simply become aware of the racing heart and continue meditating anyways. You’re more than likely not in any physical danger. 2. Surrender into the experience A racing heartbeat is a sign showing you something causing you fear. This is your sign to dive in further. If you find yourself with an unexpected racing heart during meditation, the best course of action is to feel more deeply into it. This could be a call to surrender and discover what’s truly causing it. By surrendering you will start to dissolve any fear around the experience and find out what lays on the otherside of this strange racing heart phenomenon. 3. See a doctor If you’re concerned that this goes beyond just a psychological response and you’re having chest pain then you may need to see a medical professional. It’s also possible you may actually be having a medical issue that needs to be seen by a cardiologist. Though this is likely not the case, use your best discretion and know when it’s time to go the ER. What Does It All Mean? Racing heartbeats are signs given to us by our body during meditation. It’s your job to dive more deeply into it during meditation to discover what that message is. You may be experiencing anxiety for a variety of reasons that is creating a bodily fear response. More likely than not this will pass within a few minutes.

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Fasting For Spiritual Awakening (How To Fast For Breakthroughs)

If you’re on the journey to awakening you’re likely trying all kinds of techniques and practices. One such practice that can aid in a consciousness breakthrough is fasting. Are wondering if fasting is worth it for spiritual awakening? And if so, how do you do it and for how long? Let’s find out together in today’s post. Key Takeaways Fasting as a spiritual practice The practice of fasting can be found in just about every world religion and spiritual tradition out there. Why? Because fasting really does have spiritual benefits. Christians often fast and pray during specific seasons of the year. Muslims fast during Ramadan. Other traditions fast simply for it’s cognitive and consciousness enhancing effects. Humans in general have been fasting both intentionally and unintentionally out of necessity for tens of thousands of years. Spiritual Benefits of Fasting There are several reasons to fast for spiritual growth and awakening. Here are some spiritual benefits of fasting: Heightened awareness The greatest benefit of fasting is it’s consciousness enhancing effect. Fasting creates conditions in the body such as ketosis which enhance focus and hone your awareness. Fasting can create a mindset of clear consciousness that is conducive to having spiritual insights. Having clear awareness is the foundation of awakening. Cleansing Many spiritual traditions fast for the purpose of cleansing. The Hindu tradition believes that fasting can cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. There is real scientific evidence to back. Research shows that fasting can: This can have a compounding positive effect on your mind and body. Having an optimized mind and body will make the experience of awakening easier to achieve. Practicing discipline and focus Some spiritual traditions simply fast as a practice of discipline. Developing discipline through fasting can give you an edge during meditation and other spiritual practices that aid in awakening. How to Fast for Spiritual Breakthroughs Fasting for spiritual insights is relatively simply, but there are a few things you should know before starting your fast. Set Your intention The first step in a spiritual fast is to set your intention. Setting an intention may not seem that important, but it can really make a big difference. State that the purpose of this fast is to help you break into greater consciousness. This will give a sense of focus and purpose to your fast. Don’t go into a fast without a proper reason, otherwise you may not receive the outcome you hope for. Where focus goes, energy flows. Choose what type of fast There are many different types of fasts you can choose to try including: These are the main types of fasting. One isn’t better than the other, however I’d recommend an intermittent fast for your first attempt. Determine how long you will fast Before you begin should determine how long your fast will go for. There’s no right or wrong answer here and you should always listen to your body if you feel the duration is getting too long to handle. However, to enter into a state of ketosis, which creates many of the consciousness enhancing benefits you’re likely looking for, you should fast for at least 12 hours. Meditation and fasting If you’re attempting to fast for the purpose of having an awakening meditation can be very effective. Meditating while fasting will compound the consciousness expanding effects of both. This can be a particularly potent combination for spiritual awakening and existential insights. Try to set aside 20 to 30 minutes to meditate during the peak of your fast for the best results. Breaking your fast If you’re breaking a fast of less than 36 hours then simply eat a regular sized meal that you would normally eat at that time of day. If you’re breaking a fast of more than 36 hours then eat a high protein snack of roughly 200 calories first around an hour before your true sized meal. This will allow your gut to reengage and mitigate unpleasant refeeding syndrome symptoms. Fasting Challenges Fasting, especially your first few time, can be more challenging than you anticipated. Let’s talk about how to overcome some of these common challenges. Weight loss Some people find that fasting can cause unexpected weight loss. For some this is a pleasant surprise, while others aren’t as happy about this aspect of their spiritual practice. If this is a concern of yours simply fast for shorter periods of time and eat plenty of calories before and after your fast. see also how spiritual awakening can cause weight loss. Feeling weak and/or dizzy A common concern during a fast for spiritual growth is weakness and dizziness. This happens quite commonly for first time fasters. If this happens to you make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and not being over active. Take it easy on fast days. The emphasis of this type of fast should be on slowing down and going inward, so limit your physical activity on fast days. If you ever feel to weak or uncomfortable simply break your fast with the recommended guidelines above. Hunger and cravings Many people at the beginning of their fast will feel very hungry and experience cravings for food. This is very normal and should be expected. Eventually later on in a fast these cravings will tone down. While your hunger and cravings are present simply observe it and mindfully tap into the unpleasant experience. Use this as a focus point for your meditation until it goes away. Tips on fasting for awakening Here are 2 extra things to keep in mind while fasting for awakening. Stay hydrated Make sure you’re not getting dehydrated during your fast. Drink plenty of water throughout your spiritual fast. Listen to your body Finally, make sure you’re listening to your body. If you ever become too weak or dizzy it may be time to break the fast. Overdoing it for the sake of a spiritual breakthrough is not worth an accidental trip to the ER. Stay in touch with your body and take it

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How To Awaken Through Self-Inquiry Meditation

One of the most well known meditation techniques for spiritual awakening is self-inquiry, known in the Hindu tradition as Jnana yoga. This powerful technique involves questioning your thoughts and beliefs to gain insight into your true nature. By examining the stories we tell ourselves, we can begin to see through them and discover a deeper sense of peace and freedom. self-inquiry involves gaining insight into who we truly are by diving deeper and deeper behind the layers of identity we’ve placed on our consciousness. To begin practicing self-inquiry meditation, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of meditation. If you don’t know how to meditation please see my article on basic mindfulness meditation. With a solid foundation in place, you can begin to prepare for self inquiry meditation. Key Takeaways Fundamentals of Self-Inquiry Meditation What is self inquiry? Self inquiry is the meditative practice of exploring the “I” by questioning what the self really is. This may involve asking yourself simple questions like “Who am I?” or “What is the nature of my existence?” As you continue to explore these questions, you may begin to experience moments of insight and clarity. However, it’s important to be aware of the way your ego likes to trick you in this process. Understanding the Self Self-inquiry meditation is a practice that involves questioning the nature of the self. It’s a process of self-discovery that helps you to understand who you are and what your true nature is. The self is fundamentally a made up construct of our mind. The self that we think we are is simply a thought. Your body, your thoughts, and your identify are not really what you are. The self you think you are is just a set of thoughts and constructs that you’ve been conditioned to believe is you since your birth. As you continue to practice self-inquiry, you may find that your understanding of yourself evolves and changes. Any thought that arises of “self” is not the true self. This is because who we really are is beyond thought altogether. It’s something you must simply become aware of. The Role of the Observer The observer is a key aspect of self-inquiry meditation. It is the part of you that is able to observe your thoughts, emotions, and sensations without becoming attached to them. This is why basic mindfulness meditation is important for cultivating the observer. To cultivate the observer, start by simply observing your thoughts without judgment or analysis. Notice the thoughts that arise and let them pass without becoming attached to them. As you continue to practice, you may find that your ability to observe becomes stronger and easier. This can lead to greater clarity and insight into the nature of the self. This practice paired with continually turning in on the self and questioning it can lead to an awakening of true self. Preparing for Meditation Creating a Conducive Environment Creating a peaceful and quiet environment can help you focus and relax during your meditation. Here are some to consider before starting your self-inquiry practice: The Practice of Self-Inquiry Below is one of my favorite guided meditations for self-inquiry. I highly suggest this for a first dive into self-inquiry. The Questioning Technique To begin, sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and let your mind settle. Then, ask yourself a question such as “Who am I?” or “What am I really?” Allow the question to sink in and observe any thoughts or feelings that arise. Don’t try to answer the question with your mind, rather use your awareness to try and go deeper. Focusing the Mind As you continue to ask yourself these questions, you may notice that your mind becomes distracted or wanders off. This is very normal. When you notice your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the question of “who am I?” Deepening Awareness As you practice self-inquiry, you may begin to notice a shift in your awareness. You’ll start to see through constructs of the mind and reality. Insights can happen in a single moment and be a profound experience. You can have many awakenings this way, going deeper each time. You can keep going back to self-inquiry even after you’ve your first awakening. Challenges and Obstacles False Answers As you practice self-inquiry your mind will want to answer the question you’re presenting to yourself. Any answer you think of is not what we’re looking for. Sometimes we can even trick ourselves with very subtle thoughts. Any visualization or feeling you come up with is not it. You will know when it happens. What you’re looking for is a shift in awareness that is greater than the mind or any thought. It’s more like an a-ha eureka moment. Dealing with Distractions When practicing any kind of meditation distractions are to be expected. Our mind likes to focus on noise and mental chatter. To deal with these tempting distractions simply acknowledge them without judgment and gently return to the self inquiry practice. Self Inquiry FAQs Can self-inquiry meditation lead to a spiritual awakening? Yes, self-inquiry meditation can absolutely cause an awakening. In fact it’s one of the most well known practices used to intentionally achieve spiritual awakening today. Is Jnana yoga the same thing as self-inquiry? Jnana yoga and self inquiry are essentially the same practices. Jnana yoga is simply the original Yogic practice created in India that founded the method of questioning the self through meditation. Self inquiry is the Westernized name for Jnana yoga. How long does self-inquiry take to work? Results from self inquiry are different for everyone. Some people will experience an awakening within a few days of practicing self-inquiry while others will struggle with it for years before having breakthroughs.

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7 Best Meditation Teacher Training Certifications of 2024

Don’t forget to take the free quiz at the end of this article to find out which certification is the best fit for you! There are dozens of meditation instructor certifications on the internet today. It’s hard to know which one to choose, and which one is the best bang for your buck. Luckily, I did the hard work for you and found the best meditation instructor certifications on the internet today. Meditation instructor certification courses give you comprehensive online and/ or offline training to teach and guide mindfulness meditation to beginner and intermediate students. Each of the courses listed below are accredited on some level and allow you to receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of your training. It’s important to note that there is no governing body that oversees meditation instructor certification accreditation. However, some programs are more credible than others. Many high quality programs are unofficially recognized by other organizations such as the International Association of Yoga Therapists and The Awareness Training Institute. But even some of the best programs aren’t “accredited” by these institutions. > see my article “How To Lead A Great Guided Meditation” I analyzed dozens of meditation teacher training certifications offered in 2024 and here are the top 7: #1 Meditation University’s Meditation Teacher Training (MTT-200) Kevin Ellerton’s Meditation University has recently released a state of the art all encompassing meditation teacher training. In Meditation University’s training not only will you learn about the various types of meditation, but you’ll also learn pranayama, kundalini, how to mantra, and yoga nidra. Meditation University’s meditation teacher training is taught by 13 highly experienced teachers each with a specialty in a specific area of meditation. Another notable point about Meditation University’s program is its entire section teaching you how to create a full time income teaching and selling your meditation skills after certification. All in all this meditation teacher training is both highly in depth and broad in scope making it one of the best options available. Noteworthy for: Being the most comprehensive meditation teacher training program available Teacher: Kevin Ellerton + 12 other teachers Available online: Yes Duration: 200 hours at your own pace Price: $3000 (scholarships are available) Accreditation: Internationally accredited and overseen by the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance and The Meditation Organization Check it out here. #2 Sura Flow Certified Meditation Coach Training Sura Flow is ranked #1 on our list because they are on the cutting edge of training meditation teachers and practitioners. Not only does Sura Flow’s course teach you every aspect of meditation, but they also teach you how to coach others to get the most out of their meditation practice. This approach leads your students to have the greatest spiritual and mental transformations possible through meditation. This is a 12 week long certification program taught by expert meditation teacher Sura Kim. This is an in-depth meditation course that is best for teachers, coaches, and instructors. Noteworthy for: The best for meditation coaches Teacher: Sura Kim Available online: Yes Duration: 12 week program (300 hours) Price: Depends (Multi-factorial) Accreditation: Sura Flow accredited meditation coach certification with completion Check it out here. #3 The Path’s Meditation Teacher Training The Path’s meditation teacher training ranks #3 on our list for the incredible in-depth training you receive for one of the lowest prices in the industry. Not only is this an entirely affordable course, they offer scholarships as well! The Path’s meditation teacher training hosts real live classes online and group sessions over 12 weeks. This meditation teacher training is rich with meditation knowledge and gives you real experience guiding meditations in group settings before graduating with your certification. Noteworthy for: Best for the price Teacher: Dina Kaplan Available online: Yes Duration: 12 week program Price: $1,099 (scholarships available up to $400 off) Accreditation: The Path accredited meditation teacher certification with certificate of completion Check it out here #4 Unplug Certified Meditation Teacher Training Unplug’s meditation teacher training program ranks #2 on this list because it’s the most well rounded of any other program out there. Unplug’s program consists of 200 hours of in depth training and community practicum laid out over a 6 week period developed by world renowned teacher Davidji. Unplug also gives recent graduates lifetime free access to the unplug app and continues to keep in touch with and answer questions well after the program finishes. With world class teachers comes world class prices, with the ultimate price tag being $3,500. Noteworthy for: The best for new meditation teachers Teacher: Davidji Available online: Yes Duration: 6 week program (200 hours) Price: $3,500 Accreditation: unplug accredited meditation teacher certification with certificate of completion Check it out here #5 Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Program Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Program is the gold standard for meditation certification. Graduates from this program are among the most qualified meditation instructors in the entire world being taught by world class meditation teachers over the course of 2 years. The program has both psychological and spiritual depth and brings in renowned guest lecturers such as Eckhart Tolle and Dan Siegel. The program also includes a mentorship program that pairs students with experienced meditators for guidance and support throughout the course. Noteworthy for: Being the most in-depth in-person certification program Teacher: Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach Available online: Yes (in-person practicum) Duration: 2 Years Price: Calculated after acceptance into the program (It would be wise to assume this one has a hefty price tag due to it’s in depth nature and 2 year duration). Accreditation: Upon graduation you receive a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute. Check it out here Bonus: Jack Kornfield’s Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals Course Jack Kornfield offers his own independent meditation course that focuses on the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation. Although it’s not an official meditation teacher certification, it does give you a deep dive into 31 lessons of mindfulness meditation content + a certificate of completion for just a measly $29! Check

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What Is Strong Determination Sitting in Meditation?

Strong determination sitting is one of the most powerful and potent forms of meditation for spiritual growth. It’s original purpose was to help serious spiritual seekers make breakthroughs faster by using a more intense form of meditation. Strong determination sitting meditation originates from the Pali term Adhiṭṭhān which translates to “determination” in English. Do you want to learn about the most potent meditation practice out there? Well you’re in the right place. What is strong determination sitting? Strong determination sitting is a form of Vipassana meditation which involves sitting completely still for long periods of time while maintaining complete focus. Strong determination sitting requires much longer durations of time that can last from hours to even days in extreme cases. Have an itch? Too bad, you’re not allowed to scratch it during a strong determination sit. When you are doing a strong determination sit you are not meant to react to any physical pain or discomfort, and instead maintain your posture and position. You can see how brutal this could get for even just 30 minutes of meditation. What Is The Purpose of Strong Determination Sitting? The purpose of strong determination sitting is twofold: One is to train mental resiliency and to develop deep concentration & mindfulness even in the face of deep discomfort and even pain. When you challenge yourself with such intense and long meditation sessions, you are training your brain to stay calm and aware even in the most uncomfortable situations. The second is to delve into deeper states of meditation to help you have spiritual breakthroughs or awakenings (especially, with regards to Vipassana meditation. > see also How To Meditate For Spiritual Awakening How to do a strong determination sit Here’s how you can practice strong determination sitting for yourself. 1. Set your intention Before you begin your strong determination sit set an intention for your session. Are you doing this for a more disciplined and strong mind? Are you meditating to learn more about what’s deep in your brain? Or are you trying to have a spiritual awakening? 2. Choose your time and place Choose a time during the day when you can spare a hour and aren’t rushed as strong determination sits may take longer than the usual mindfulness meditation session. Make sure you also find a location where you will not be distracted. It’s also important to sit somewhere comfortable as you will be sitting in this spot without moving for a long while. 3. Start with short sessions Start your sessions at short durations. Strong determinations sits can quickly get overwhelming and uncomfortable for new meditators. For this reason you should start with a 10-15 minutes session and work your way up from there. 4. Set a timer and prepare your posture Set your timer for the desired amount of meditation time. Without a timer you will have no idea when to stop meditating. Your sense of time can get confused in long meditation sessions! Find a posture that you will be able to maintain for a long period of time. You may try the classic legs crossed lotus position. If you are prone to back pain or your legs easily go numb during meditation you might want to sit upright in a chair with a rigid back. 5. Mindfully observe sensations, thoughts, and feelings Begin your meditation practice as you usually would by focusing your attention on whatever arises in your awareness. You can focus on a particular thing like your breathing or just watch as different thoughts, feelings, and sensations arise. 6. Maintain discipline and stillness What sets strong determination sitting apart from other types of meditation is the inability to move during meditation. No matter the pain, numbness, or discomfort you are staying totally still during a strong determination sit 7. Gradually lengthen meditation sessions As you continue practicing strong determination sitting meditation, you can begin to lengthen your sessions as you get more comfortable. The longer your sessions become, the more you will find the benefits of strong determination sitting. Benefits of strong determination sitting Why would you want to put yourself through all of that discomfort you may ask? Strong determination sitting meditation has many benefits including: Though strong determination meditation may be the most difficult form of meditation, it definitely is the most potent when it comes to benefits. Some report diving into and healing past traumas due to strong determination sits while others simply enjoy the practice of daily mental discipline. Conclusion Strong determination sitting meditation is the most extreme and difficult form of meditation you can practice. Though it can be uncomfortable at times, strong determination sitting can lead to great mental resilience and personal & spiritual growth.

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How Long Should You Practice Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental meditation is a form of meditation pioneered by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi that uses a sound mantra. During meditation practice you choose a single constant sound in your environment to continually focus on (also known as the sound mantra). When it comes to practicing transcendental meditation how do you know how long you should practice for? And how often? How long should you practice transcendental meditation? Most types of meditation can be practiced for as long or as little as you prefer. While this is true for transcendental meditation, experts and instructors of TM recommend that you practice this type of meditation for 20 minutes at a time. Herbert Benson M.D. researched the effects and benefits of transcendental meditation at Harvard University. Benson’s recommendation in his research for the ideal time of a meditation session is 10-20 minutes. The official transcendental meditation website ca.tm.org gives this recommendation: “Transcendental Meditation is ideally practiced for twenty minutes”. Meditating for over 20 minutes may become difficult for the average meditator. However, anything under 10 minutes probably won’t be effective. How often should you do transcendental meditation? Transcendental meditation can be practiced as often or as little as you desire. If you desire a specific outcome such as lower stress levels or increased states of consciousness, you should create a habit. The official TM website recommends practicing transcendental meditation 2 times per day for 20 minutes each session. The first session should be in the morning before daily activities or work. The second session should be in the evening after work is completed for the day. This schedule of twice daily at the beginning and end of the day is set up for a special reason. Practicing TM before the day begins gets your mind calm and focused for the day ahead. Having a session at the end of the day unwinds your mind from work and allows you to relax for the evening. How long does it take transcendental meditation to work? So you want to know when you’ll see the benefits of transcendental meditation. Transcendental meditation expert Dr. Tony Nader says it takes around 4 days of practice to begin seeing noticeable long term benefits. However, I find that even practicing transcendental meditation one time you’ll find it has a huge impact on your mindset for the day. With habitual practice of transcendental meditation, you’ll begin to find your mind to be quieter and calmer more regularly. Keep at it meditators!

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Transcendental Meditation: How To Do It

Transcendental meditation is a newer form of meditation developed in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Transcendental meditation is a form of silent mantra meditation where users focus on a sound for the entire duration of the meditation. Maharishi brought transcendental meditation to the West when he went on a world tour in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The sound is known as the mantra in transcendental meditation. A mantra is just anything that is repeatedly focused on by the meditator. The focus on the sound mantra in transcendental meditation brings you into the present moment and deepens your conscious awareness. How To Do Transcendental Meditation Here are the steps to practicing transcendental meditation: 1. Find a comfortable location and position Choose a quiet location that is distraction free and find a comfortable sitting position. You can decide to sit on a chair, bed, couch, or the floor as long as it will allow you to stay awake and alert for the duration of the meditation. 2. Close your eyes Begin your meditation by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths. This will help you get centered and closing your eyes will help you focus solely on the sound mantra. 3. Choose a silent sound mantra Become aware of the sounds in the room or environment you’re in. Find a sound that is relatively constant in your environment. Choose this sound and use it for the duration of the meditation. 4. Focus on the mantra for 15-20 minutes For however long you want to meditate you’re going to continue to bring your attention to this one constant sound you chose at the very beginning. Anytime you get distracted just bring your attention back to the sound mantra. Continually refocus in this way for the entire meditation. Most transcendental meditation teachers recommend doing this for 15-20 minutes a day. How Long Should You Practice Transcendental Meditation? Why Transcendental Meditation? Transcendental meditation is unique for several reasons. This specific type of sound mantra meditation brings meditators deeply into a state of relaxation and peace with a relatively low amount of effort. This particular type of meditation can also be used to access higher states of consciousness. As you get deeper and deeper into a meditative state using transcendental meditation, you may have spiritual breakthroughs or spiritual awakenings. Transcendental meditation is incredibly simple to start practicing and gives you all of the mental and spiritual benefits of any other type of meditation. 7 Best Types of Meditation: Which Is Best For You?

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Vipassana Meditation: How To Do It

The greatest and oldest meditation technique for spiritual growth is vipassana meditation. The serious spiritual seeker will want to learn how to practice this type of meditation. What Is Vipassana Meditation? Vipassana meditation is a type of meditation developed specifically for spiritual progress and attaining spiritual insights. The word “vipassana” means “to see things as they really are”. A habit of vipassana meditation will certainly cause spiritual awakening if practiced consistently. The practice aims to purify the meditators mind and create a state of pure unattached awareness. It is in this state that you see reality clearly for what it really is. How To Meditate For Spiritual Awakening Origins of Vipassana Vipassana was one of the main types of meditation that Buddha taught back in 500 BCE. This type of meditation is the predecessor for both modern day vipassana and mindfulness meditation. Buddha found vipassana to be one of the most helpful practices on his journey towards enlightenment, which is why it became one of his core teachings. How To Do Vipassana Meditation Vipassana is based in the same principles that mindfulness meditation is, however the focus shifts in vipassana. There are few subtle changes we need to make to our regular meditation practice for it to become vipassana. 1. Find A Comfortable Location Like usual, find a comfortable place to meditate. This should be a place where you can sit comfortable for 15-30 minutes without distraction. Ideally, a quiet location by yourself is best. 2. Get In Position Unlike other types of meditation, Vipassana requires your back to be straight. Keeping your back upright is important for maintaining alertness. Any position that is comfortable and keeps you fully alert and aware will work. Laying down is not recommended, but isn’t prohibited for vipassana meditation. 3. Focus On The Breath The main focal point for vipassana meditation is the breath. For the duration of your meditation continue to come back to your breath to refocus your awareness. Notice the rise and fall of your chest and the feeling of air coming into and out of your lungs. Anytime a thought enters your mind or you become distracted, simply return to the breath. Through the practice of continually focusing on the breath your mind will calm and purify. 4. Notice Sensations and Feelings Once your mind begins to relax and enter a state of more pure awareness from focusing on your breath you may begin to notice bodily sensations and feelings. Perhaps you can feel tingling, numbness, or vibration sensations. Your job is to watch how these sensations appear and disappear without judgement or attachment. Become the observer of those sensations. 5. Practice Nonattachment Always A key difference with vipassana meditation is its focus on nonattachment. Anything that arises in your awareness is simply to noticed and observed. Do not attempt to hold onto or push away any sensation. Have the attitude of allowing any and all sensations to exist, appear, and disappear. With nonattached observation you will begin to enter into a pure state of consciousness over time. If you find yourself judging or labeling feelings or sensations as “good” or “bad” just notice those thoughts in a nonattached way. Continually come back to a state of open nonjudging awareness. Mindfulness vs. Vipassana Mindfulness meditation and Vipassana meditation operate in very similar ways. They become different in their intentions and desired outcomes. This subtle difference in approach makes all the difference. Mindfulness meditation focuses your awareness and calms the mind for the purpose of stress reduction and mental improvement. Vipassana meditation focuses your awareness for the purpose of awakening and attaining spiritual insights. Though the process of each is very similar, their outcomes are different. Vipassana meditation tends to be a little more strict when it comes to posture and nonattachment to what arises. Mindfulness meditation is much more lenient and can be practiced in a less serious way.

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