Taking the Leap: Guiding My First Meditation, by Meditation Teacher Training student Jennifer Maloney

Meditation Teacher Training student Jenn Maloney, already guiding meditations for others!

My First Step As A Guide

Have you ever hesitated to share something you love, wondering if you’re ready? That was me — until I guided my first meditation.

I’ve been meditating for over ten years, exploring retreats, university classes, and different teachers. Meditation felt like home, yet I often waited on the sidelines, observing before diving in. That changed recently in my teacher training with Dina Kaplan at The Path.

Stepping Forward

After a few weeks of quietly completing assignments and listening, I remembered: you get out what you put in. So I sent a simple message to a group chat of friends and friends-of-friends: “Who wants to meditate with me?”

To my surprise, someone said yes — and she had never meditated before.

Our First Session

We met online on a Sunday evening. I shared a bit about meditation, asked how long she felt comfortable, and we settled on ten minutes. At first, she was full of energy and anxiety from the week. But as the session unfolded, I watched her body relax, her breath slow, and her face soften.

Afterward, she smiled and said, “I love meditation. I have to do this again!” That simple moment filled me with joy, pride, and deep gratitude — for her experience, for the teachers, and for The Path.

The Takeaway

Guiding my first meditation reminded me that growth often starts with a small act of courage. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping forward — even before you feel fully ready.