MMTCP Program Application
What are the personal strengths that you sense will enable you to teach meditation well to others?
I really love teaching—and I love people. I also have a strong desire to help alleviate the suffering of the world, to help people find greater peace, happiness and joy in their lives, to help people awaken to the grace and beauty of each and every day.
I have a depth of experience teaching and working with both groups and individuals, something I have done for over 25 years—in varied and diverse settings. This began when I worked in international education and academic support services where I offered teachings and trainings of various kinds, including language instruction, cross-cultural assimilation, how to find relief from test anxiety and more. I often incorporated guided meditations into the trainings/workshops as well as exercises that helped participants learn to shift and/or broaden their perspectives, releasing pre-conceived ideas and world views, and opening up to the often unexpected beauty of the world around them. I have taught yoga since 2005 and mindfulness meditation since 2018.
I also have a committed and long-standing yoga and meditation practice of my own, a life-long commitment to both my own and the world’s ongoing healing, and a deep interest in the world’s spiritual traditions and practices and how they contribute to that healing. I have faced my own fair share of personal challenges—which include marriage to someone with addiction issues, divorce, single parenthood, sudden job loss and a journey through ovarian cancer—each of which has awakened within me ever deeper levels of compassion, and, supported by my study of various world spiritual traditions, yoga, and meditation, taught me that no matter our challenges, life still offers up endless joy and beauty, if only we open our eyes, ears and hearts to see it.
I believe each of these things, as well as my own commitment to continued personal growth and awakening, will allow me to assist others in awakening the wisdom they hold within themselves in an effective, meaningful, uplifting and nourishing way.
In one or two paragraphs, please describe what draws you to participate in the Two-Year Meditation Teacher Training Certification Program.
This is a time of such turmoil on the planet. The need for true peace and harmony is so very great. In addition to life’s usual and unavoidable challenges, so many people are now also suffering from fear and anxiety about the future—of our country, of the world, of this precious planet on which we live. I am constantly seeking the best ways to use my own unique talents and gifts to contribute to the wellbeing of the world and to alleviate at least some small part of this suffering. I cannot think of a better way to do this than by helping people to find peace and hope and strength within their own hearts and minds. To bring people greater joy and light. To help people let go of their own fears so that they can truly listen to others. To open our hearts and minds to our own suffering so that we might tend to it with loving care and in turn then be able to contribute to the healing of the divisions of the world—both within and without—in a way that is healthy and effective. I cannot think of a better way to do so than through the teaching of mindfulness and meditation.
After years of personal practice and inquiry, I began teaching meditation in 2018 and continue to be surprised by just how hungry people are for it. It is so very needed. It also feels like a very natural fit for me, flowing easily and bringing happiness to both me and those who study with me. I want to continue to learn and grow both as a teacher and as a practitioner so that I might offer the very best of which I am capable.
I began looking at this program the very first year it was offered. It was not within my means at that time, so I began preparing myself by taking care of the prerequisites, while also looking at other possible meditation teacher training programs. The retreat I attended in 2019 that is associated with this program, however, convinced me that this is the training that is most aligned with my own personal and spiritual aspirations, that the quality of the teaching is superlative, and that it would offer me the best opportunity to become the best teacher I can be. While it still is very much a financial stretch for me, I am committed to making it happen and trust the universe will open up the opportunities for it to be so. Thank you!
MMTCP scholarship Application
Please explain, in one to two paragraphs, what qualifies you for scholarship consideration.
There are two areas I would like to address here—first, my ardent desire to serve the world, especially right now—and second, my financial situation.
The world needs love so very much right now. I want to do all I can to contribute to the fostering of that love—love of self, love of others, even love for our perceived enemies—and most especially love for populations that we as a society have marginalized. I submitted this application months ago—before the pandemic—and am just today updating it. That previous sentence pierces my heart even more as I reread it today. A love that might allow us all to open up to greater compassion for all living beings—this living, breathing Earth included. Several years ago I turned my attention to this aspiration full-time as I began my own business using music, yoga, and mindfulness and meditation practices to help people awaken to the love, grace and beauty we hold within. This mission and desire has only been heightened by recent events. This work is so very important right now. It has given me purpose during this time of pandemic and hope as we face the daunting task of ending racism.
I am a dedicated teacher and mentor in my community, primarily working with women, many of whom have faced significant trauma in their lives. My yoga teaching primarily serves people over the age of 50, a population that is underserved in the world of yoga. I also have an interest in teaching yoga and meditation to those in prison, once I have received the proper training to do so—but also am completely ready and willing to go where my particular skills/perspective are most needed, if it is elsewhere. These are my ardent desires. I know this training will help me on this path, giving me more and better tools and teaching techniques, helping me to continue to smooth out my own rough edges, to become more aware of my own shortcomings and ignorances, and to open up to greater love and joy within myself so I might assist others in doing the same.
A variety of life factors have contributed to my having limited financial resources, making this training a major financial stretch for me. This was true before the current pandemic, which has only heightened this challenge. I spent a large portion of my working life in Central America where salaries are very low. Then divorce, raising two children for whom I was solely financially responsible, sudden job loss at the height of the recession in 2009, followed by ovarian cancer in 2010 (from which I am now fully recovered) created continuing financial challenge.
I am completely dedicated to my work as an independent musical artist and yoga and mindfulness teacher. This has not been an easy way to make a living. However, I am convinced this is the way I can best contribute my unique gifts to the healing of this world. I have and am currently taking whatever steps I can to improve upon this, and the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 were looking quite promising, but the impact of the current economic crisis and pandemic have caused major financial setbacks. The studio where I taught has closed its doors permanently, and all other income streams have either been eliminated or significantly reduced. I have been able to move my yoga teaching and meditation courses online and am grateful to have had reasonable success, but not enough to replace the income that has been lost. I am currently revamping, seeking ways to offer other classes/workshops/retreats online and am hopeful. In fact, part of the reason I am pursuing this training is in order to be able to make a more viable income doing what it is I believe will best use my talents and skills to offer the most to the world.
I thank you most kindly for your consideration. If granted this opportunity, I sincerely promise to pay it forward in whatever ways I am able.