The excellent initial teacher training that I received at Solterreno in 2014 allowed me to take my first steps on my teaching pathway. The certificate, proof on paper that I could deliver the MBSR curriculum and be a "good enough" teacher.
In the six years that followed having taught many MBSR courses and Mindfulness groups, I have occasionally felt nowhere near good enough - but these things take time! I now understand that each course I teach, each regular group I facilitate, each retreat I attend, each supervision I have, each time I sit to meditate - I take another step on the pathway. And with each step, I learn something new, I let go of something I don't need, I move forwards slowly!
So for me, this TT3 step came at just the right time.
The days were spent in what I felt was a perfect balance of theory and practice. The opportunity to teach and be taught by our peers in a safe and supportive environment provided an invaluable exploration into developing our trust in emergent teaching and learning; finding out how to really live the questions - relaxing in the knowledge that, yes we know our theory - but discovering new ways in which to help our participants learn from their own experience, ask their own questions.
The core work we did on the four foundations of Mindfulness, on inquiry and on holding our groups, helping them to form, finding out what each group needs and the dynamics within it, was important and valuable.
The week also helped me to get perspective on my teaching journey thus far - and to realise that things are very different from that moment when I held my certificate for the first time. The journey ahead, of more questions and a deepening ability to teach with a beginners mind, with passion freedom and joy, is a journey that I fully embrace and no longer feel worried about.
Thank you Bodhin and Sheena and my fellow participants for a brilliant and inspiring week.
for me, this TT3 step came at just the right time.
