Meditation Teacher Training · Head-to-head
Sounds True — MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach) vs The Mindfulness Center (Bethesda, 501c3)
Sounds True — MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach)
Editorial score · Higher overall
VS
The Mindfulness Center (Bethesda, 501c3)
Editorial score
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Sounds True — MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach) | The Mindfulness Center (Bethesda, 501c3) |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum (25%) | 9.5/10 ✓ | 8.9/10 |
| Credibility (25%) | 9.5/10 ✓ | 8.4/10 |
| Value (20%) | 7.8/10 ✓ | 7.3/10 |
| Flexibility (15%) | 8.4/10 | 9.5/10 ✓ |
| Support (15%) | 9.5/10 ✓ | 8.4/10 |
| Overall | 9.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
Key facts side by side
| Sounds True — MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach) | The Mindfulness Center (Bethesda, 501c3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) | The Mindfulness Center 160-Hour Meditation Teacher Training (SOMA) |
| Price | $7,900 – $8,700 | — |
| Payment plans | 12 or 18 monthly payments (e.g. 12 × $683 with the early-enrollment price) | — |
| Duration | 18-month cohort program; about two hours per week plus monthly mentor and peer-group calls | 160 hours of training; self-paced online format |
| Format | Live online | Self-paced |
| Accreditation | Certified by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), per the program FAQ | — |
| Certificate | MMTCP certificate after completing coursework, a final exam and mentor approval | Meditation Teacher certification from The Mindfulness Center for completing 160 hours of training |
| Refund policy | $50 application fee nonrefundable; cancellation after acceptance carries at least a 15% fee | — |
Highlighted cells mark the better value for that row (higher score, lower starting price). “—” means not published or not yet checked. Data checked from October 5, 2026.
Our verdict
Choose Sounds True — MMTCP (Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach) if…
Experienced meditators who want a rigorous, mentored path to teaching mindfulness under well-known teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.
It scores higher on curriculum, credibility, value and support.
Choose The Mindfulness Center (Bethesda, 501c3) if…
People who want an evidence-based, science-oriented meditation teacher certificate from a nonprofit center, studied online at their own pace.
It scores higher on flexibility.