Listen now
In this honest and thought-provoking episode, Sean Fargo explores one of the most common inner questions among mindfulness teachers: Should I show my vulnerability when I teach? Drawing from personal stories and years of experience as a teacher and former monk, Sean reflects on the balance between openness and professionalism, authenticity and appropriateness.
Whether you're just beginning to share mindfulness or have been teaching for years, this episode will support you in navigating the delicate territory of trust, truth, and teaching from the heart.
This episode is sponsored by the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification. Learn more about this unique, online, self-paced program at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
Why vulnerability can build trust—but also requires discernment
Sharing personal challenges or emotions can create powerful, authentic connections with students. It reminds them that mindfulness teachers are human too—imperfect, learning, and evolving. However, discernment is key. Vulnerability should be grounded and intentional, not reactive or impulsive. Sean explores how mindful awareness can help teachers recognize when and how much to share, so it supports the student’s experience rather than centering the teacher’s own emotional process.
How mindfulness teachers can teach from authenticity instead of perfection
One of the most freeing truths for a teacher is realizing you don’t have to have it all figured out. In fact, striving to appear flawless can create distance between you and your students. When you teach from your own genuine experience—with its ups, downs, and learning moments—you invite others to be more real and accepting of themselves. Sean reminds us that authenticity fosters safety and connection, which are foundational to a healthy mindfulness practice.
Common mistakes mindfulness teachers make when navigating vulnerability
Vulnerability, when not skillfully navigated, can lead to unhelpful oversharing, emotional dumping, or confusion about boundaries. Sean highlights some of the common pitfalls, such as telling personal stories that aren’t fully integrated or using teaching time to seek validation or sympathy. He offers examples and gentle guidance on how to reflect beforehand and ask, “Is this in service of the student?” This question alone can help teachers stay aligned with their intention to support others.
Ways to explore your own boundaries with sharing
Each teacher has a different relationship with vulnerability, shaped by personality, culture, and lived experience. Sean encourages listeners to explore these boundaries thoughtfully. Where do you feel comfortable opening up? Where do you feel exposed or unsure? Instead of pushing past those feelings, he invites us to honor them as part of our own mindfulness journey. Vulnerability doesn’t have to mean full transparency—it can simply mean being present, real, and available.
How trust is more of a heart practice than a mental calculation
Trust is often thought of as something logical or earned through consistency, but in mindfulness teaching, trust often begins in the heart. Sean shares how being fully present, listening deeply, and showing care can build trust more effectively than trying to appear “put together.” This heart-based trust grows over time and is nurtured by empathy, compassion, and genuine presence—not just by knowledge or technique.
The connection between vulnerability, humor, and lightness in teaching
Vulnerability doesn’t always need to be heavy. In fact, some of the most impactful teaching moments arise from laughter, humility, and the ability to not take ourselves too seriously. Sean reflects on how lightness and humor, when used mindfully, can create a sense of ease and approachability in your teaching. It reminds everyone in the room that mindfulness isn’t about being solemn—it’s about being fully human.
