McLean Meditation Institute & the Meditation Teacher Academy offer Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher Training - Education for Meditation & Mindfulness Instructors with the Highest Standards of Professional Excellence. Become a Teacher - Teacher Certification. On-demand classes.

Teach Peace.

Have you heard the saying, “If you really want to know something well, learn to teach it”? We know that it’s true. People who train with us are deeply dedicated to making meditation and mindfulness accessible to their friends, family, coworkers and just about anyone! The McLean Meditation Institute is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of education and fostering a community of passionate and skilled instructors. Our programs are well-respected and trusted by professionals in the world of meditation and mindfulness. Here’s how you can be on the peace team:

Become a Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher. The Meditation Teacher Academy® offers a comprehensive 300-hour curriculum designed to help you become a skilled and knowledgeable Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher. Through in-depth personal training, you’ll explore your own interior landscape through a wide variety of self-awareness techniques and meditation and mindfulness practices. You’ll be provided with effective program materials and outlines to teach meditation and mindfulness to a wide range of populations in different settings. Whether you dream of working with individuals, groups, or with a specialized populations, you’ll receive the tools you need to feel confident as you teach meditation and meditation to anyone. Admissions are open now. Find out what it takes to become a meditation and mindfulness teacher, here. The next cohort begins April 26, 2025. Take the first step towards becoming a meditation teacher. Find out more.
Become a Mindfulness Mentor. There’s being mindful and having a meditation practice, and then there’s teaching mindfulness. Designed for coaches, teachers, therapists, and others, the Mindfulness Mentor Certificate program helps you help others to find fulfillment. Learn to use the tools and lesson plans from the signature mindfulness program, Mindful & Happy. We’ve spent years researching, developing, and compiling this robust 8-lesson curriculum, PowerPoints, and take-home training guide. If you are a seasoned meditation and mindfulness instructor, a coach, social worker, or therapist, and you know you need cutting edge mindfulness tools and practices to help your clients, then this program will help you to easily bring more mindfulness to those you mentor. Find out more, here.
Bring Mindfulness into Organizations. For those already teaching meditation and mindfulness, this advanced training will help you to to bring a comprehensive mindfulness training program into any organization. Whether you are already employed by an organization who wants to make you the mindfulness champion at work, or you are a coach or trainer who wants top notch curriculum and programming, the MMI Mindful Trainer certification is be a fit for you. Find out how you can become a Mindful Trainer and bring the mindfulness advantage to work.

New to Meditation?

Discover how you can experience a new and improved “normal.” Meditation and mindfulness practices can awaken your creativity, help you find increased mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and help you to calm your mind so you can get back to feeling good again. With simple, everyday practices, your ability to focus will improve so you can be less distracted, and more tuned in to what really matters to you. This will help you to find more joy in your home and work life, and be more fulfilled in your relationships. Meditation can help you to regain the balance that can seem so elusive. Read more about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness here.

DIY: Find clear and potent meditation instruction by reading the best-selling book, Soul-Centered, Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation(Hay House), or listen to instruction and guidance offered in a variety of meditations by Sarah McLean on YouTube here. You can also gain access to live meditations offered monthly, or, listen to a selection of meditations for free, here.
Take a Meditation Class Online. Learn to meditate at a time and place convenient to you with the on-demand Transform Your Life with Meditation & Mindfulness course, just developed by Sarah McLean. Imagine in one weekend, you’ll learn in 21 videos the secrets to meditation, a wide variety of practices – ancient and modern- and everything you need to feel confident in your practice so you can literally transform every area of your life. Get on the list to gain access to this amazing course, here.
Receive Stellar One-on-One Training. There are hundreds of MMI Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teachers worldwide who are committed to their personal practice and have invested hundreds of hours into their professional training so they can help you learn to meditate and find a practice you love. They’ll teach you what meditation is and isn’t, how to be more focused and mindful, and how to gain the benefits of meditation no matter how busy your mind is. Dive in and have the direct experience of inner peace with a class or retreat. Not all meditation teachers are alike. Learn from the best. Find an MMI Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher near you.
Bring the Mindfulness Advantage to your Workplace. Expert trainers in mindfulness are ready to bring MMI Mindful Training into your organization and show you how mindfulness can give you more vitality, improve your communication, enhance the problem-solving abilities of leaders and teams, increase your creativity and innovation, cultivate resilience, and improve efficiency and productivity. These are all essential components to positively impact your business’s bottom line. Make your organization more mindful and get the mindfulness advantage. Connect with a training partner at the MMI Mindful Training Co.

“Even if you aren’t sure whether or not you want to become a meditation teacher, but you do have a passion and desire to learn more about meditation, I recommend this training. It covers so many different areas, practices, philosophies, research studies, and basically everything you'll ever need. I loved it! I even enjoyed learning about things that were difficult. And what is truly priceless is the support from the staff at MMI. I never felt alone along my journey.”
Tina L. Santa Barbara, CA
"I went through the McLean Meditation Teacher Academy- absolutely one of the best decisions I've made in my entire life. It was an exceptional program. It superseded any expectations I could have imagined. The information was top notch, and all the facilitators were SO knowledgeable. I can't stop raving about the program. If your looking to become certified to teach meditation- this is the place to do it. I've transformed my life with the help of the material (not just my meditation practice), and now feel 100% prepared to go in to the world to transmit this information. Life changing stuff! 10/10!"
Lizzie C. Los Angeles, California
“I looked at a couple of meditation teacher training programs. The McLean Meditation program was recommended by a dear friend, and I am so happy I chose it. The entire experience from the interview to the lesson plans, study buddy sessions, and the intensive was an absolute transformative experience. Not only did I learn everything I need to be an excellent meditation teacher, I came out as my true and authentic self. I liken it to a magical experience. It is both an academic and spiritual experience. You will be giving yourself a true gift by choosing MMI's Meditation Teacher Academy.”
Ali K. Houston, TX
"The Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher Certification program is great. Even though it's delivered via distance learning, you have twice monthly calls with Sarah, check-ins with your course advisor, and meetings with your study buddy, so you won’t feel distant at all. Instead, you'll feel connected and inspired! It’s very personal and intimate. Not to mention how transformational the week-long intensive is! You’ll leave well-prepared to teach meditation and mindfulness to anyone. There is a great support system and resources always available to you, even after you complete the program. Everyone is like family!"
Kit L. Hong Kong
As someone with decades of experience in mindful meditation and spiritual well-being, I am always seeking opportunities to deepen my knowledge and practice. Enrolling in the Meditation Teacher Academy under the direction of Sarah McLean has been an incredible experience, one that far exceeds my expectations. The richness of the content and the supportive, heart-centered people in the program, make this training truly extraordinary. Sarah’s depth of knowledge and her ability to share her wisdom with such clarity and warmth is inspiring. She creates a learning environment where everyone, from new students to seasoned practitioners, feels supported and empowered to grow. Her expansive understanding of meditation, combined with her nurturing approach, makes this program an invaluable resource for anyone looking to deepen their practice or enhance their teaching skills. The course content is thoughtfully designed, blending practical tools with profound insights. It’s not just a training, it’s a transformative journey. For new students, it provides a strong foundation in meditation; for experienced teachers, it offers fresh perspectives and tools to enrich their work. And for anyone passionate about supporting this time of awakening in our world, it’s an opportunity to step into greater alignment with that purpose. I am deeply grateful to Sarah for her dedication and vision in creating such a powerful training. I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re considering this program, take it - it’s a gift for your soul and for the world.
Shey Khandro Virginia
When I embarked on my journey to become a meditation and mindfulness instructor, I chose Sarah McLean's Meditation Teacher Academy. Her approach to teaching went far beyond traditional instruction – she embodied patience, understanding, and kindness in every aspect of her training. The training program was comprehensive and nurturing, and provided me with not just the technical skills of meditation instruction, but also the deep compassion and personal insight necessary to truly connect with students. Two years after completing her training and obtaining my teaching certificate, I now teach full-time, a testament to the profound impact of her guidance. What sets Sarah apart is her genuine commitment to her students' growth. She created a safe, supportive learning environment where I could explore my potential as an instructor. The depth and breadth of the meditation and mindfulness teacher training program exceeded all my expectations, equipped me with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to pursue teaching meditation as a meaningful career. To anyone considering a meditation teaching path, I cannot recommend the Meditation Teacher Academy highly enough. This training is not just about learning techniques, but about transforming your understanding of mindfulness and yourself. If you are waiting for a sign to take this training, this is it!
Tamara Glenn Mason Mason, Michigan
"The teacher training at the Meditation Teacher Academy left me with immense gratitude for your generosity and shared wisdom. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but will say it again- the program you have developed is second to none and has truly changed my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for shining the light toward the place where I feel enough, courageous, curious and inspired again. It is my mission to do the same for others!”
Alaina V. Ontario, Canada
"I knew that Sarah could help me to learn to do what she does—help others realize their full potential. Sarah helped me to translate my passion and ideas into action at the Meditation Teacher Academy. Working with her I discovered exactly what I was longing to do—help women discover a higher purpose for their lives!"
Kelly C. Life Coach
“I had a wonderful experience at the McLean Meditation Institute and the Meditation Teacher Academy. There is a great deal of research supporting the idea that meditation is very good for the brain. MMI is well-regarded because the founder, Sarah McLean, has very high standards for her students. She and the staff are a lot of fun, but serious about making sure we have what we need to teach."
Joan M. East Lansing, MI

“World peace depends on inner peace: mine, yours, and everyone else’s. I’ve taught thousands of people to meditate over the last 25 years, and when people live with less stress, increased well-being, and more kindness, they create a more peaceful life, and that causes a ripple effect in their world. That’s the main reason why I practice meditation—to feel more peaceful and connected. It’s also the reason I teach meditation—to help to create more peace on this planet for all beings who call it home.”-Sarah McLean

About the McLean Meditation Institute®:

The McLean Meditation Institute is an educational organization dedicated to helping people find peace, health, and clarity with meditation and mindfulness. It offers online meditation training as well as teacher training for meditators. MMI also is the go-to training company for bringing mindfulness in the workplace.

Founded in Sedona, Arizona in 2006 by popular meditation and mindfulness teacher, Sarah McLean, the McLean Meditation Institute quickly became a destination favorite for locals and visitors alike. Now, based in Santa Barbara, California, MMI is a trusted source for those seeking to learn effective meditation and mindfulness techniques.

MMI offers live programs in Santa Barbara and in a variety of world-class venues in the USA, Canada, and Europe. If you want to learn to meditate, find a meditation teacher near you, or find out what it takes to become a meditation and mindfulness teacher, call (928) 254-0064, or, check the schedule of events to see what is coming up.

About Sarah McLean:

Sarah McLean is a self-described American Transcendentalist who has always been fascinated by the subtle and powerful force at the source of all that is–and she’s made it her mission to know more. That’s why she’s dedicated her life to exploring meditation, a practice that allows anyone to have the direct experience of this force field that underlies all of creation.

Sarah has over 30 years of deep, personal meditation practice, and in-depth work experience in the field of personal transformation. She was a resident in a Zen Buddhist monastery, lived and worked in a Transcendental Meditation center, and was a resident in a traditional ashram in India. She also headed up the education programs at Deepak Chopra’s center in California as well as at Byron Katie’s School for the Work. She now lives in Santa Barbara, California where she runs her company, the McLean Meditation Institute, which focuses on training people all over the world to be the very best meditation and mindfulness teachers they can be.

Sarah is also the best-selling Hay House author of Soul-Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation, and The Power of Attention: Awaken to Love and its Unlimited Potential with Meditation, and is a sought-after inspirational speaker who is determined to create more peace on this planet through the practices of meditation. Read more about her here.

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