For Samara Hackett, meditation grew naturally from her yoga practice. As her interest deepened, she realised she was not only drawn to the techniques themselves, but also to the importance of learning within a supportive community. She wanted guidance, shared language, and a place to grow alongside others who were also walking the path of mindfulness.
This desire led her to study with the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness (ACMM), where she completed the Diploma in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness, supported by her mentor Jen Hill.
“I needed a community of practice and learning for support,” Samara explains. “Meditation and mindfulness are for everyone, and for many people they are still completely new. I really enjoy teaching people who have never practised before.”
Finding Joy in Teaching Beginners
What Samara loves most about teaching meditation is witnessing the first moments of insight and calm in her students.
“Seeing someone experience peace, calm, and greater self awareness for the first time is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “Being part of that journey is the joy of being a mindfulness teacher.”
Her teaching style is steady, approachable, and welcoming. She understands that many people arrive feeling unsure or nervous, and she meets them with reassurance and simplicity. Meditation, in her view, does not need to be complicated to be effective.
Training With ACMM and Growing Into Confidence
“Putting everything I learned from the ACMM courses into practice gave me the confidence to make a start,” she reflects. “What began as a small step has grown beautifully.”
The mentoring component of the course was especially meaningful. “The mentoring has been crucial. I really appreciate the time, care, and effort my mentor Jen offered throughout the journey.”
She also speaks highly of the retreats. “The retreats are amazing. I always feel transformed afterwards.”
Meditation in the Heart of the Community
Samara currently runs fortnightly guided meditation sessions at her local Neighbourhood House in Victoria. The sessions take place every second Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:15, offering forty five minutes of guided meditation in a familiar and accessible community setting.
“My classes are simple and consistent,” she says. “They are about showing up, practising together, and letting meditation become part of everyday life.”
Her sessions are promoted through the Neighbourhood House, which shares her Canva created flyers on their social media platforms. Samara also places flyers in local shops, helping her offerings reach a wide cross section of the community.
Lessons From the Meditation and Mindfulness Teaching Journey
Samara is honest about the nerves that come with beginning to teach.
“You will feel nervous when you start teaching. That is normal. We all do,” she says. “After teaching for more than a year now, I am so grateful I made a start and trusted the process and the foundation ACMM provides.”
Her advice to new meditation teachers is refreshingly practical. “Move through the modules consistently. Do what you can and do it regularly. Graduation comes very quickly.”
She also emphasises the importance of self care. “Look after yourself first. Set your times, your boundaries, and take care of your own energy needs.”
Completing the Diploma and Looking Ahead
Samara has completed the Diploma in Guiding and Teaching Meditation and Mindfulness, which she highly recommends.
“The group calls were fantastic,” she says. “We shared our fears, doubts, and celebrations together. It made such a difference to feel supported and understood.”
For now, Samara is focused on continuing her regular community sessions and deepening her teaching through experience. Her approach is steady and sustainable, rooted in care for both herself and her students.
A Simple and Powerful Offering
Samara’s work is a reminder that meditation does not need to be elaborate to be meaningful. Through consistent sessions, clear boundaries, and a welcoming presence, she is helping people in her local community take their first steps into mindfulness.
“I am so glad I trusted the process and just began,” she says. “That first step really does change everything.”
If you enjoyed reading about Samara‘s journey you might also be interested in:
- Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Become A Meditation And Mindfulness Teacher
- Peter Danatzis – Certified Meditation Teacher Transforming Stress into Stillness
ACMM provides a range of certified meditation teacher training options and support, including our Post Graduate Diploma and Community Work Placement Program which supports new meditation teachers to begin or expand their teaching practice. Download a prospectus for all the details or book a discovery call here to find out more!
