Testimonials
Meredith’s captivating manner, in depth knowledge and ease with which she allowed her teachings to unfold created the environment for my mind and gradually my heart to open. I was surprised, nah shocked, to discover that I welcomed the meditation that followed each teaching.
Throughout my life I have routinely gained new insight and knowledge through a wide range of teaching venues but never have I experienced the personal growth that occurred during these sessions.
Having just completed my fourth meditation retreat with Meredith, I cannot emphasize how much I gain from the experience. Each time, going deeper into familiar concepts, adding new tools, and looking at things I thought I knew in a very different way.
Her gentle, well informed teaching style is accessible even to those completely new to meditation.
I am so grateful to be able to work with her and highly recommend her to all, no matter the level of experience in spiritual study.
Meredith Hooke is truly gifted in her teachings and leads by example. She teaches the principles that are the foundation of meditation and effectively relates them to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of every day life. Meredith has a way of making the information practical, tangible and relevant.
I have experienced significant shifts in how I see myself and others, with less judgement and criticism and more compassion, acceptance and patience. I have taken other meditation training in the past and my experience with Meredith is the one that is resonating with me and has lead to a meditation practice that I am able to sustain. I highly recommend Meredith.
Meredith’s Peaceful Minds for Busy Lives eCourse is one of the best introductions to meditation out there. It is concrete, useful and immediately applicable to everyday life. I love Meredith’s teaching style – she does a great job of making deep truths very simple. Learning more about our brains and how they work is an important aspect of this course, you are not asked to take anything on faith or simply accept something she says because she is saying it. This is the course for anyone who has tried to learn to meditate and quit, or who doesn’t have a schedule that permits hours and hours of sitting. Highly recommended.
I’ve been meditating with Meredith for 6 to 8 weeks. Because of practicing with her I’m noticeably more engaged in the wonderful present. Because of Meredith’s talent for teaching I’m progressing nicely and it’s extremely enjoyable. I’m not entirely new to meditation and have studied on my own for 6 months now in a variety of different ways and Meredith’s class is just the best.
Hopefully everyone has had the experience growing up of that rare teacher or coach making a real difference in their life. They might inspire you to choose a certain profession or make some other lasting contribution to your life. For me it was my old geology professor. Meredith is one of those teachers. Her depth of knowledge is vast and her ability to speak with presence is enjoyable and enviable. She combines wonderful spiritual insights, shares her personal experience and humanity in every interaction.
Meredith does this all with wonderful humor and energy while at the same time linking cutting edge information on the science of meditation. I look forward to each and every practice.
Meredith created a space for us, the beginner and intermediate learner, that bridges the gap between ‘What is meditation and mindfulness’ and the more complex teachings of our great Buddhist Masters. Her humor, her stories, her voice, and the tone she creates in a group setting facilitate hearts and minds to open. Meredith listens and connects to each of us.
Her profound lessons draw from the skills and wisdom of decades of personal practice and study. At the same time she is one of us.
Living in the community with Meredith and watching her respond to the complex problems and dramas of life has been a special privilege. She engages and negotiates the world with grace, humility, courage, wisdom and humor.
I am very grateful! With her weekly meditation training class, Meredith has taught me a way to easily integrate meditation into my day to day life. After a few weeks it has already made a big difference.
I feel more content and I am more open hearted to whatever life brings along for me to deal with. Thank you so much Meredith!
Regarding my experience taking a meditation class with Meredith, I was very impressed with her knowledge with respect to the physical and mental benefits of meditation. I had previously studied meditation and practiced with both Zen and Vaishnava traditions. However, I learned so much from Meredith about how meditation benefits the mind and how the mind can be our best friend or our worst enemy.
Especially significant was the information Meredith provided to us about how we sabotage our peace of mind with self-criticism and judgmental thinking. Our class that dealt with not resisting what ever happens was a revelation to me. Meredith quoted Krishnamurti who once told his students his “secret”. The secret is not to be concerned unduly about what happens to us as we interact with people and events.
Highly recommend taking a meditation class with Meredith. It will change your outlook.
A meditation class is the last place I ever expected to find myself in. I considered myself to be spiritual, in tune with being present in this world, and focused on the important things in life. My idea of meditation, at the time, was that it was "too hippy" for my taste. It's where I drew the line in my spirituality.
My husband attended a number of Meredith's classes and each time, he returned home telling me that I should really consider going as he thought I would enjoy Meredith's style of teaching. I finally gave in.
I'm so glad I came around and took the advice of a loved one looking out for my best interests. Meredith's meditation classes have been the therapy I always needed, but never wanted to admit I could use. What I love most about Meredith's instruction is that it's taught in an approachable manner: with humor, grace, and empathy, Sharing examples of how she uses meditation herself to quell the negative thoughts in her own mind makes everyone in her group feel an instant connection with her. I feel like she's in it with me, rather speaking at me.
Meredith teaches us why we think the way we do and backs her lessons with the most interesting and surprising scientific research. I believe this inclusion of relevant data is what makes her class so unique and wide-reaching. She doesn't just teach meditation to calm the mind and train the brain. She helps you understand why you're experiencing the thoughts and emotions in the first place.
I find that I think about her teachings often throughout the day all week long. I now can instantly recognize any trigger that would have set me off in the past. Instead of allowing the negative emotions to put me into a state of despair, I can talk or meditate myself through the negative thoughts. By attending her classes, I have saved myself countless hours of needless and unproductive worry. I argue less with my husband and appreciate him more. And I can actually laugh at myself a bit and not take life so seriously.
Meredith has taught our community that meditation is not about magically making negative thoughts and emotions disappear. It's about recognizing them, facing them, and dealing with them in an effective manner. I have a long way to go in my meditation practice, but it's because of Meredith's unique style and her relatability that I'm willing to continue to work on it. She made a difference in my life from the very first class of hers I attended and I look forward to learning so much more from her.
I tried to meditate at various times in my twenties, with no success until I met Meredith. I was impressed by her focus and unshakeable calm so I decided to try it one more time. The difference between my previous experiences and my work with Meredith was that she provided the science that explained how meditation positively affects the brain and why my “racing mind” was the norm rather than the exception. The clarity and focus that I have gained from meditation has improved not only my work but my overall well-being.
The time I now spend meditating is nominal compared to the time and mental energy that was previously wasted on procrastinating, needless worrying about the future, or thinking about a past negative experience. Learning to meditate is a process and it requires patience, but the tangible benefits I now experience throughout the day can only be attributed to my regular meditation practice. If you have never tried meditation and are skeptical, or if you have tried it and believe that your brain is not “wired” to do it, Meredith is the right coach for you.
Meredith has such a calming way about her that working with her is a pleasure. She has given me so many tools to understand my mind and thoughts and to gain control of my wandering mind.
I would highly recommend her to anyone that wants to learn meditation and find greater peace and happiness in their life.
My life has been transformed by meditation. There is so much noise in the world, that I find it spiritually important to take time out and just be still. The result has been much less stress and worry. I’ve been unemployed for six months now; previously, prior to meditating, I was unemployed for six weeks and was bouncing off the walls with worry. This time I could think more clearly about my next steps and to stress a lot less. It’s not that I’m not concerned; it’s that I can put my concern into a more neutral and realistic perspective. I don’t think I would be able to do that without meditation.
I received a meditation coaching session as a gift from a friend who frequently utilizes Meredith’s expertise. It was a terrific gift! Meredith is open, positive, gentle, generous, and encourages one to “come as you are.” She realizes that we are all on our own paths and that we do have answers within us, even though it doesn’t always seem like it. Meredith’s teachings help us to find and bring the answers we need to the forefront.”
I could not recommend Meredith highly enough. She has a wealth of knowledge about meditation and uses this knowledge to do good in the world. Her easygoing and professional manner makes it a joy to work Meredith.
I had never had any prior experience with the practice of Meditation. Then I found myself overwhelmed after a shocking and tragic personal event. A friend suggested I think about going to Meredith’s Meditation class, so I went…I needed some peace in my heart and comfort in my soul. The very first class spoke to within my heart, and I liked the feeling of some peace and comfort within me. I respected how Meredith presents her information, and found her to be a very supportive, kind, loving, compassionate, and peaceful person within herself. I finished all the classes of the course, and wanted to attend others to learn more.
Meredith is skilled in Meditation guidance and coaching, and I learned so very much about myself, and felt peace, love, kindness, tolerance, and compassion within myself. I’m “a work in progress”, but feel happier, and look forward to improving my Meditation practice. My sincere heartfelt appreciation I send to Meredith, and I can honestly say she was a “refreshing Ray of Sunshine” when all I saw was “dark clouds”.
Meditation calms the turmoil and refocuses my mind and perceptions to improve my overall well being. Meredith is a thoughtful meditation coach. I recommend her to anyone who is interested in clearing their thoughts, and learning improved thought processes.
I’m not easily impressed and need a lot of convincing before I will hire someone. I chose Meredith because she knows her stuff.
I cannot recommend her highly enough. Anybody who can send me away after a session totally chilled and focused has to be worth her weight in gold.
Meredith has given me skills and different thought processes that have greatly improved my life.
She has been a trusted and compassionate teacher that I know I can count on. I highly recommend her and thank her for all her wonderful insight.
It was truly a great experience meeting and learning from Meredith. I felt an instant connection and can’t say enough about her ability to capture & maintain my attention. I am wearing the mindfulness bracelet everyday, trying to meditate and chanting ‘Peace is not chasing.’
My Sundays are not the same without Meredith’s meditation class.
Since starting meditation training with Meredith, I’ve experienced significant improvements in both my personal & professional lives. Letting go of irrational fears and operating instead with a calm, focused mind has had an undeniable effect on my interactions with clients, friends and family.
Meredith has the unique ability to tailor the training to the individual, and presents each technique along with the science & statistics behind it. I can’t recommend Meredith highly enough to anyone considering meditation to advance their career and improve their relationships & personal well-being.
I tried meditation at different times in my life, but never felt I succeeded at doing it properly.
While in Mexico, we started a weekly meditation hour with a small group of friends (with Meredith guiding the group). I always looked forward to that hour together and each week I felt I walked away with a new insight.
Meredith taught me that meditation is a process that requires practice and patience, just like any other form of exercise. This ‘clicked’ with me and I started practicing daily.
I would highly recommend Meredith as a coach and guide in meditation. Not only is she very insightful, compassionate and knowledgeable, she also has a wonderful calming energy and a beautiful spirit. I am very thankful to have met her.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear” is the saying that came to mind when I met Meredith and started taking her classes. After reading self-help books on mindfulness, along with my own attempts to stop the scattered chatter in my head, I have found that Meredith is the inspiration I need to become grounded and centred within myself, something which has eluded me all these many years.
Through her gentle, positive philosophy, her experience, and methods of meditation, I am learning how to become centred, compassionate, and understanding of myself and others. I enjoy her entertaining, informative talks on the science of the brain and how, by meditation, I can discover how to train my own brain in order to enjoy my life and be happy with myself and accept others. I highly recommend her to those wanting to gain insight into the workings of the mind and receive guidance through the journey of meditation. These are the tools I need and will be able to use in my everyday life as I progress with Meredith’s coaching.
Working with Meredith – learning to meditate, and understand how things really are, versus how I perceived them to be, I was able to pull myself up from my lowest low and find contentment in my life.
Her compassion, openness and sincere nature made the entire experience feel less like talking to a therapist and more like a life coach with a vested interest in my happiness.
I owe so much of my success over the dark period of my life to Meredith and continue to use her teachings as a way to maintain a healthy emotional balance today. I recommend her to anyone searching for peace and an overall improvement in one’s life.
I did not enjoy meditation. Even more frustrating was knowing I wanted and needed the benefits. I was stressed and scattered every day running my business. I kept going through a vicious circle of trying and quitting my meditation practice in hopes that I would eventually start to at least see the benefits during the day, even if I was bored or angry while I was sitting.
Meredith changed all of that. She took the challenges I was facing and used those as the context for what she was teaching. This really helped me connect the dots to fully understand why and how to use various meditations as well as the other mental skills she taught.
I can now easily sit down and enjoy meditating every morning. More importantly, the day to day results have been phenomenal. For the first time, I finally understood what people meant by ‘meditation will change your life.’ I’m able to work with better focus and increased creativity. I’ve run into blocks and used meditation to get around them. I don’t get stressed out nearly as easily. And after the work day is over, I’m able to relax a lot easier.
I was thoroughly impressed and enjoyed every session. Meredith is a fantastic coach and I highly recommend her.
Meredith has a very simple, down-to-earth approach which put me at ease immediately.
I have always been intrigued by the practice of meditation yet very intimidated by it. Not only did I learn how to meditate, but I also learned a lot about my brain and how it operates. I love that!
I especially love that I can realistically incorporate all her coaching into my daily life. It’s not hard or intimidating, and most importantly, does not feel like a chore.
I honestly feel calmer and less overwhelmed.
Meredith is such a caring, creative, sharp-minded, & empathetic coach. Working with her completely changed my life!
For several years after finishing college and entering ‘the real world,’ I found it extremely difficult to cope and keep up with everyday life as I struggled with ADD symptoms.
After working with Meredith, I’ve noticed huge and LASTING improvements in my ability to manage those symptoms. My ability to focus has significantly improved, and continues to as I implement her strategies & suggestions.
For the first time in my life, I’ve gained the truly priceless acceptance that life isn’t always smooth sailing, and that that’s okay.. I’m okay when that happens- even when it seems like the world is falling to pieces all around me. Working with Meredith gave me tools and wisdom to help me navigate the tough times in life, and she taught me a path to greater happiness and inner peace regardless of what’s going on around me. I could never thank her nor recommend her enough!
I absolutely love Meredith’s meditation class.
Meredith shares her understanding of our minds in a gentle and effective way. She uses examples we can all relate to and humorous stories to help us realize and accept the teachings easily. I really love her and her teaching.
She gives me so much inspiration for my practice. She knows how to guide me and gives me great tools to keep progressing and be a better person.
I’m so happy to have met this wonderful woman. Meredith first taught me to meditate 1 year ago and I’m still practicing everyday. I think it is the most wonderful gift you can do for yourself.
I now understand why retreats are important to the practice of meditation. Having the opportunity to immerse yourself seems to have significant impact. I look forward to participating in other retreats with Meredith.
The best parts of this retreat for me were 1. the connection and sharing of the group which was exceptional in my experience with groups and 2. Meredith. You were the heart and soul of the retreat, guiding us through the meditations and learning practices with your soothing voice, your wonderful sense of humor and the huge amount of wisdom and food for thought you offered
I’ve taken several retreats and workshops with Meredith and in each instance I have gained some amazing insight that has helped me, my marriage and my relationships with family, friends. She has a loving way of showing you how to really look inside yourself and see your truth.
The Healing is in the Return.
Prior to attending the Living Mindfully, Living Peacefully Workshop, we had limited exposure to meditation and Buddhist teachings. However, we were aware that the treatment for many medical issues, both physical and mental, includes meditation as part of the recovery plan.
The three day workshop was very educational and inspiring. Meredith's extensive knowledge and experience of the benefits of meditation was very apparent throughout the workshop. She delivered the program in a very kind, understandable and responsive manner which was much appreciated by all the attendees.
The time spent in this workshop learning how to live mindfully and peacefully has made an important change in our lives. It has reset our perspective on the importance of being in the present. We are truly committed to incorporating a practice of meditation into our daily living. We are very grateful that someone as professional as Meredith has offered her time, knowledge and energy to making our lives more meaningful.
Attending Meredith’s workshop was inspirational, calming, informative and beautifully inclusive. She is extremely dedicated, passionate and wise after decades of study and meditation in finding her own way. Oh, did I mention that she is also super fun and relatable? Who could ask for more in a teacher and friend? I’ll be back for more!
