Not every “meditation instructor” has the same background. With the rise of weekend certification courses and self-proclaimed coaches, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for those who want to seriously learn how to meditate to assess who is truly qualified. Here are seven characteristics to look for.
- A standardized, time-honored training program — not a one-off weekend certificate, but a training program that has been taught exactly the same way for decades. TM teachers are trained according to a method that dates back to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi himself.
- Personal, one-on-one instruction — a certified teacher teaches the technique individually, not exclusively in a group setting without personal supervision.
- A fixed, repeatable course structure — every course follows the same structure, regardless of which teacher is leading it. With TM, for example, this always consists of a four-day course with fixed components.
- Lifelong follow-up care — a certified instructor doesn’t abandon you after the course. Free “check-in” sessions are part of a serious program.
- Affiliation with a national or international organization — not a solo offering without oversight, but a teacher who is part of a larger network with quality assurance (in the Netherlands: 12 TM centers, interconnected).
- Transparent pricing — clear, often income-based rates; no hidden costs for “follow-up modules.”
- Scientific evidence supporting the technique itself — not just the teacher’s personal experience, but a technique that has been studied in over 800 studies at more than 200 universities worldwide.
Curious to see if your meditation teacher meets these criteria, or would you like to meet a certified TM teacher right away? Attend a free, no-obligation introductory lecture: https://www.tm.nl/lezingen