Program Details

The 800hr Contemplative Practices Teacher Training is the culmination of 20 years of research, study and practice. The purpose of designing and delivering this program was the integration of the various healing disciplines that are taught separately, but that we at the Nature Center consider fragmented parts of a unified field of knowledge. We are seeking to serve socially aware and empathetic individuals, which makes a discussion-based, collaborative learning environment particularly rewarding.

This certification course is a multimedia rich, dual live instruction and home study course. The materials needed for study and practice are all included with this course and will be outlined in the syllabus and training manual, which will be provided on the first day of class.  In addition, an integral part of this program is the weekly online 5-hour live training instruction, which will take place every Sunday beginning January 4th, 2025 and ending January 5th, 2026. We will meet from 10am CST – 3pm CST on the Jitsi Meet platform, which is an open-source video conferencing tool that is completely free. 

In order to complete the course you follow the 52-week program outlined in the manual. We will also utilize Canvas Instructure for quizzes, links to the media needed for study (books, articles and videos), and also for space for students to interact and ask questions during the week. Each week you have certain chapters for study and certain techniques you must practice. These techniques and practices are scaffolded so it is imperative for your own benefit that no days are skipped if at all possible. 

There will be 260 contact hours, or live instruction; 520 non-contact hours, or self study which breaks down to about 10 hours a week, and 30 practicum hours in which you will need to engage in practice teaching in your community. At the completion of the program there will be an oral examination, similar to a thesis defense, which you must pass by a score of 80% in order to receive your certification. If you fail the examination, you must take it again till you pass.

Pay What You Can

We are launching a monthly pay-what-you-can model for the 12 month program, which includes the teacher training manual, digital books, articles and videos. Additionally, this donation is tax deductible, as the Nature Center for Meditation is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. We are making this intensive, comprehensive course affordable so that no one with a desire to learn and service their community is prevented from obtaining this training due to prohibitive cost. 

College Credit

The Contemplative Practices Teachers Training course has been evaluated to be worth about 24 college credits. Although we are not affiliated with any university or college at this time, letters of petition are supplied on request.

Accommodations

Accommodations for disabilities – physical and learning – will be offered; providing that you can still complete all of the necessary training to properly serve your community. 

Class Size

Please note that class size for the 2025-2026 year is limited to 22 students to maintain program integrity. A wait list will be provided for qualified candidates for any last minute withdrawals up until January 3rd.

In summary, this is a highly demanding, yet richly rewarding training that will change your life and transform you in ways that you can only imagine. If you feel that you are ready for this commitment, fill out the registration form below.