Written By: Hayley Tharpe
Founder of Legally Well
I. Introduction
One of the most powerful and healing tools that you possess everywhere that you go is your voice. Your voice can serve so many different purposes such as to soothe a crying baby, to advocate for someone’s rights, or to passionately sing the Renaissance album in the shower. It is so interesting that I have carried my voice with me throughout my entire life, but when I decided to become a meditation teacher, the first question that popped into my mind was, “How do I find my voice?” In other words, during my discovery call, I asked Unplug CEO, Suze Yalof Schwartz, how exactly I would develop my authentic voice while still fitting the script of what a meditation teacher is supposed to sound like. To my surprise, there were many people who had this same question.
Looking back however, I now like to think of the Unplug Meditation Teacher Training as a lesson in alchemy: the journey is the reward. You aren’t suddenly gifted with this beautiful, Grammy Award winning voice immediately upon completion of the program, but rather, you begin to discover the beauty and power in the voice that you have had all along.
Below I will briefly discuss two keys for tapping into your authentic voice: vulnerability and confident expression.
II. Vulnerability
By week 1, I could already tell that this meditation teacher training was going to change my life. So much can be created when you are in a truly safe space. While I was excited and prepared to engage in the hours and hours of meditation as part of the course, I wasn’t prepared to receive the actual benefits of my meditation practice. Whether bringing my mind to stillness or pausing for deep reflection, one of the most prominent takeaways from my experience is having explored a deeper state of being, vulnerability.
To be “vulnerable” means to be susceptible to harm or attack. Being susceptible to attack implies that there is a weakness. What does society typically see as a sign of weakness? Emotional vulnerability. What is actually the biggest sign of strength, as beautifully stated by Brené Brown in her TED Talk? Emotional vulnerability. This means that you put yourself in a position where you are susceptible to having your emotions provoked, and you choose to sit through it. Allowing your thoughts and feelings to naturally arise. For example, in teacher training, this may look like a gratitude meditation led by master meditation teacher, davidji. Such a simple question, “What are you grateful for?” can provoke so much emotion, when you allow it to. The power in vulnerability is also two-fold: you benefit from acknowledging your own feelings, and you also set an example that encourages others to do the same! Choosing to face how you feel, also allows you to decide what to do next.
III. Confident Expression
One of the advantages of attending in-person meditation classes at the Unplug studio or when using the Unplug App, is the exposure to so many diverse teaching styles. Each teacher has their own tone, pace, and inflection of voice, and they all own it! As a trainee, you soon learn that there isn’t just one voice that fits the script. As a lawyer, I had to learn the same thing. Sure, there may be attorneys who speak in formal and elegant legalese, but there are also lawyers who are more straightforward, sarcastic, passionate, or even those who prefer not to speak much at all. There isn’t just one way to be a lawyer and there isn’t just one way to sound like a meditation teacher. Of course, you might make some slight adjustments based on your own wishes or feedback that you receive, but know that your voice is essentially part of what makes you who you are. It sets you apart from others.
This path to becoming confident in your expression can begin with just baby steps! For example, maybe you finally let out a big sigh as you exhale during a yoga class, audibly chant a mantra during a meditation, or narrate a story to a group. Not feeling rushed or judged, just speaking in a flow that feels most natural. Using your voice in this way may take some courage, but similar to vulnerability, the benefit to confident expression is also two-fold; you benefit by boldly and unapologetically communicating your emotions, and you also set an example which encourages others to do the same. Plus, you are the only one who knows exactly what you want to say and how you want it to be said!
IV. Conclusion
It is important to remember that both vulnerability and confident expression are a practice. Some situations may be easier to practice these concepts rather than others, but the most important thing is to always show up and do your best.
So, if you are looking to become a meditation teacher, you've got this! And if you are looking to specifically become an Unplug certified meditation teacher, I can assure that you will be in good hands. Choose to be confident in your authentic voice and own it as if you’ve had it your entire life!
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