I’ve looked through information on the website and am working to understand how information is organized in this forum…What’s the best way to get clarification about where and how to get started? I have a regular practice, have taken an MBSR class, and have attended a couple of 10-day silent retreats. I’m interested in becoming a teacher and working with school-aged children. Can I talk with someone by phone? I live in the southwest, so am curious about similar MBSR training I’ve seen in CA (UCSD?) and wonder if/how it is related or transferable. I also have the opportunity to consider being in MA for courses. Is it best to start with the online offerings/prerequisites as a way to jump in? I keep discovering bits of information, but can’t quite pull together a big picture. Thank you for any guidance, recommendations and/or direction you can offer.
Hi Holly,
Thanks for this inquiry. I think I can clarify the question about how you
would get started right here (and the answer may be helpful for others as
well):
From your description, it sounds like you have met the pre-requisites, so
your first step in our training would be to apply to and take the
Fundamentals course, either in its intensive 9-day format (we run those in
various locations globally) or in its 8-week format (which only happens
here at the CFM). If you can arrange to be in MA, the 8-week Fundamentals
format happens here several times a year. And, perhaps you have already
read about these options on our website, but if not, check them out.
After that, you would work your way (at your own pace and as availability)
through the other courses toward the final step, which is submitting a
certification review portfolio. Once your review is satisfactorily
completed, you would receive our certification.
You also have the option to end your training at the “Qualfied MBSR
Teacher” status, which might be completely sufficient for you if you are
planning to integrate this into an already established career.
These steps are also outlined on the website, but I totally get that it can
be hard to grock when you aren’t familiar with it. We have endeavored to
build a model that meets the 21st century needs of our students while
sustaining a very rigorous learning environment. That, of course, requires
some complexity.
Let me know if you have additional questions.
Kind regards,
Eowyn