Empowering Womxn to Teach Meditation: An Updated Toolkit

Program Start Date & Time: October 10  |  5:30 pm Orientation

Program End Date & Time: October 15  |  12:30 pm

Today, more than ever, we need a rising generation of womxn to become leaders and teachers in dharma communities. Are you ready for an immersion into current approaches to teaching meditation and hosting transformative spaces? Join us for a training that synthesizes classic meditation and contemporary tools to meet the challenges of our times!

This training is for new or aspiring meditation instructors and dharma teachers, and we encourage younger practitioners to apply. We welcome womxn*—inclusive of cis-gender, non-binary, and trans femme—from any and all Buddhist traditions.

What?

This training offers a skill set and building blocks to create inclusive spaces for meditation instruction. These are spaces that are “safe enough” to open our hearts and engage the depth of meditation in order to transform self and society. With awareness and attunement, we can be more grounded and effective in being of service during these turbulent times.

Our updated toolkit for presenting meditation includes:

1. trauma-informed mindfulness
2. embodiment and space awareness
3. relational attunement
4. interactive pedagogy
5. cultural humility and harm prevention
6. working with micro-aggressions

Join us to learn the art of attunement and deep listening, review meditation techniques, and develop authentic presence in the teaching seat. As the culmination of the training, you’ll be given a sample curriculum for a 2-3 hour open house or introduction to meditation to offer in public spaces like a local library.

These tools will deepen your ability to host authentic and inclusive spaces for meditation, regardless of where you are along your path. Note that authorization to serve as a meditation instructor in your local dharma center must come from your own Buddhist community.

How?

Our teaching team will model a dialogic approach to teaching. We’ll engage the principles of interactive pedagogy, cultural humility, and trauma sensitivity.

During the training, you’ll have the opportunity to:

1. engage in embodiment practices and small group dialogue
2. practice attunement through internal and external sensory awareness
3. present basic meditation instruction and guide practice
4. take part in one-on-one mock meditation meetings
5. receive supportive feedback to develop on the MI and teaching path

This training is intended to help participants blossom in your own capacities, develop authentic presence, and bring relational attunement into your daily life and meditation instruction. We’ll offer you the tools and language to present the dharma in an updated way that aligns with social justice and fosters confidence in womxn at a time of resurgent patriarchy.

Who?

Applicants need to have a strong grounding in meditation practice including a minimum of one week or ten days of solitary or group retreat, a foundation in basic Buddhist teachings, and the Refuge Vow. A dedication to be of service in this world and/or the Bodhisattva Vow are strongly encouraged.

To define womxn:

1. cis-gender: individuals designated female at birth who currently identify as women
2. non-binary: gender fluid, outside the male/female binary
3. trans femme: individuals assigned male at birth, but with a feminine identity and/or gender expression

Lodging

Due to support from the Lenz Foundation, lodging and food at Drala Mountain Center will be offered free of charge. The only program cost is $500 tuition. All shown lodging options are available for the same tuition cost of $500.

Registration Process

To apply, click the “Submit Application” button in the lower right of this page. Participants will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early to secure your place. Please submit applications by the suggested deadline of July 15. You can also click here to apply. Once approved, you will receive a link to register.

Scholarships

On the application, you are welcome to indicate if you need a tuition scholarship. Drala Mountain Center is committed to offering scholarships to any and all BIPOC applicants.