Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not a nurse. Can I attend the seminar?

This seminar is open to anyone with a health care, teaching or physical fitness background (e.g. social workers, yoga instructors, physical therapists, physicians, personal trainers, nutritionists, dietitians).

Where do you offer the in person trainings?

We currently offer the retreats in many locations.

Where do you offer the online trainings?

The online portion is available here.

Do I have to attend the training in a specific order?

Yes but only for the Teacher Training portion. The Healing Power of Meditation: Where Heart and Science Connect (or equivalent) and the online course participation are the prerequisites to the Teacher Training 5-Day Intensive Retreat. The entire program takes approximately one - two years to complete based on prior training and experience.

How long is the teacher training retreat?

Teacher Training intensive is five days long. The retreat begins at 7:00 PM on the first day and ends at 12:30 PM on the sixth day.

May I bring friends or family to the retreat center?

Yes, friends and family are welcome at the retreat center to enjoy the natural beauty of the location and will be required to pay the retreat center fees. If they also want to attend the continuing education program, they must pay the registration fee. Bringing children is not recommended because of the intensity of the educational program.

Do I need to learn meditation to teach it?

You can only teach what you know. And you gain knowledge from personal experience. This program is designed to benefit those involved by engaging learners to develop their own personal routine. The teacher training portion focuses on developing the skill set to teach.

Is this program affiliated with any religion?

No. Meditation in this program is taught as the science of well-being through evidence-based meditation. It is based on science and well-being.

Who provides the certification?

The National Meditation Specialist ™ Certification Board establishes the certification requirements and provides the certification.

How do I become board certified as a meditation specialist^TM?

Overview of Certification link

Visit the National Meditation Specialist™ Board for more information.

Certification exam criteria

Is the program an ANCC certification course?

No. This seminar was recently awarded a special accreditation by the American Nurses' Credentialing Centers Commission on Accreditation; The Meditation Specialist Competency Training is an ANCC-accredited Nursing Skills Competency Program. What this means is that the program was peer-reviewed nationally by nurses and was found to meet the criteria for accreditation as a skills program. This accreditation was awarded to Gannett Education.

Do I need to attend the entire retreat to be awarded the contact hours?

Yes. Attendance at the entire retreat is required to be awarded the contact hours. If you arrive late or leave early, you may still attend the program but will not be awarded the CE contact hours. The certification requirements are established by the Center for Meditation Science, Inc.

I lost my certificate. How do I obtain a new one?

Lost CE contact hour certificates are available from the organization who provides the CE's for that specific retreat. Lost certification certificates are available from the National Meditation Specialist™ Certification Board; www.nmscb.org; or by Contacting the Center for Meditation Science.

Enrolling in the Meditation Specialist Certification Program was one of the best decisions I have made for my personal growth. Through developing a regular meditation practice I am discovering I am less reactive in situations, more calm and collected mentally and emotionally. I am now watch my diet, and lowered my cholesterol level and miraculously I have dropped 15 unwanted pounds so far. Thanks for teaching this transformational class.

I work in an inpatient psychiatric hospital with acute and chronic adult consumers. I am thrilled to be able to teach breathing and relaxation techniques as ways to manage stress and as options to med-seeking behaviors and PRNs. Those that attend the meditation training receive yet another powerful tool for creating a sense of balance and centeredness. Dr. Taylor’s training has been an invaluable investment for me both personally and professionally.

Since receiving my Mediation Specialist credentials, I have used the both the theory and practice provided during my training in my personal life, my teaching profession, and in my private practice. I have used the focused awareness and meditation practice with every class I have taught. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of a wonderful program.

Thank you so much for the Meditation Specialist Certification Program. It has proven to be even more beneficial in my nursing practice than I imagined! Recently I had an 11 year old patient with severe pain compounded by extreme anxiety. What a difference this training has made for me and in turn this young man. My sincere appreciation for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

"You can only teach what you have practiced" is Dr. Susan Taylor's message. Meditation specialist Certification, unlike any other nursing certification is a skill that needs to be practiced regularly. As a certified meditation specialist and nurse for 16 years, I am able to go deeper in my patient care. The training has greatly improved my skills as a health care provider.

The Meditation Specialist Certification program that I attended was and continues to be a life-changing experience for me. Since my return to work, it seems as though my workload is lighter. More aptly put, I am now able to handle my workload with more ease than before I attended. I know that it is just my ability to focus more sharply with my newly acquired meditation skills which allow me to flex my brain in such a way that I can focus my attention in the midst of chaos. I currently work on a very busy medical oncology floor where my days can be spent by being on my feet for a majority of the twelve and a half hours that I am there. Thanks to my new skills. I am very grateful for the experience.

I want to thank you for everything. My life has truly been transformed and I am just beginning to really live my life. My children especially see the difference in me over the past year and they comment on it regularly. Even my ex said he is seeing me in a new light. I guess the real me is out and alive...and I like it! Namaste, Mary

"Loved the "Summit the Soul" seminar...It was wonderful spending time with you and returning to the nurturing Himalayan Institute. I definitely could have stayed longer but appreciated the time I had. It's amazing to me, Susan, that you intuitively know just what I need to learn to move forward in my personal and teaching practice! Thank you so much for the knowledge and for your genuine warmth. It's great to be around you...and I look forward eagerly to our next retreat!"

“Susan’s guidance and teachings have transformed my life or shall I say she had shown me how to transform my life! I am forever changed and continue to grow.”

“I keep coming back to get a Susan-Infusion”- “Susan gives phenomenal life changing information.”

“Susan has the perfect blend of the spiritual knowledge of Eastern practice and Western Science. She is on the cutting edge of the place where East meets West. She has so much knowledge to share and she enriches my heart, body, and mind every time I attend one of her seminars!”