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Itâs fascinating that 2,500 years ago, the Buddha already offered advice on how to pick and relate to a mindfulness teacher. [1] He suggested examining the teacherâs motives and checking if they truly âwalk the walkâ instead of merely âtalking the talk.â He also urged students not to accept a teacherâs words on blind faith but to test those teachings through personal experience.
Fast-forward to modern times, and Jon Kabat-Zinnâone of the key pioneers of secular mindfulnessâhas been equally outspoken. During his 2009 training in Sydney, Australia, he declared that teaching mindfulness without having a solid, ongoing personal practice is essentially malpractice. As mindfulness gains traction in Western circles, more people are cashing in on what some call âMcMindfulness.â Itâs not a problem to introduce mindfulness to diverse arenas like corporations, sports teams, or the armed forcesâthey need focus and resilience as much as anyone else. The real issue is teachers who lack a genuine personal practice and spread the common misunderstanding that mindfulness means ignoring or dodging unpleasant experiences rather than approaching them with openhearted curiosity.
For newcomers, it can be tricky to tell a skilled teacher from an unskilled but sincere one. Sincerity alone doesnât guarantee competence. Below are key points to keep in mind. Above all, test any teacherâs guidance. If youâre still confused, ask questions or try a different teacher. You might even discover that your first teacher was actually the right fit after all.
Assessing a Teacherâs Motivation
Do they push relentlessly for attendance (especially repeat courses)? đ
Do they set themselves on a pedestal? đ
Do they help participants build real-world resilience?đ
or do they foster dependenceđ?
Assessing a Teacherâs Attitudes and Understanding
Do they promote compassion for everyone? đ
or do they criticise certain groups? (E.g. males or females, perpetrators or victims, or specific religious or political communities.) đ
Beware of liking a teacher just because their prejudices match your own.
Do they focus more on awareness than on mere relaxation? (Relaxation is a bonus, but the real point is changing how you relate to your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.) If your teacher doesnât make that clear, they might not grasp mindfulness themselves. đ
A good teacher shows you how to train your mind, not just soothe it. đ
Is their priority helping you stay open to whatever experience arises, rather than trying to control it?
Many teachers push visualisations or breath-control practices to avoid unpleasant feelings. Thatâs not genuine mindfulnessâthereâs little evidence it does more than reading a cosy novel. True mindfulness is about here-and-now, non-judgemental awareness. đ
Habitually avoiding unpleasant sensations and chasing pleasant ones runs against the essence of mindfulnessâopenhearted curiosity about whatever shows up. If youâre always running from yourself, youâll never find genuine inner peace or improved day-to-day skills. đ
Of course, breathing exercises or visualisations can be done mindfully as part of your preparation, but they shouldnât become an escape route from discomfort. đ
Assessing a Teacherâs Own Practice
Do they remain calm and present when disruptions occur, like late arrivals or unexpected noises? đ
Do they display compassion and empathy without turning the class into a therapy session? đ
Do they occasionally share their own mindfulness challenges and the solutions theyâve found? đ
Moving Forward with Your Chosen Teacher
Once youâve placed your trust in a good teacher, you still donât have to take everything on faithâvalidate it through your own observations. Most importantly, seek out those who emphasise an increased awareness of whatâs happening now, rather than controlling or running from it. Ironically, genuine confidence and a sense of control often follow when you simply allow each moment to unfold.
Remember a good teacher is likely to both support you and challenge you as you progress along your mindfulness journey.