What is Acem?

Acem is a voluntary non-profit organisation established in Oslo, Norway in 1966. Ever since its start, Acem has been active in developing a psychological understanding of meditation processes based on Western thought and practice.

Acem is not a system of belief. Acem's central concern is to bring people in contact with the potential for relaxation, recovery and growth that resides within them.

No one earns money in developing and teaching meditation or other group activities in Acem. At the same time, Acem's work depends on high qualifications. Many of the instructors and leaders in Acem have a competence in meditation on a level with their professional careers.

Acem is presently active in a large number of countries around the world. Use the menus for furter information.

Acem was founded in 1966 in Norway by Are Holen MD, PhD, a trained psychotherapist and a worldrenowned expert and researcher in stress psychiatry. Apart from medicine and psychology, he has also studied Sanskrit. During Acem's first years, he spent some time in India, comparing and exploring different experiences from this country's long meditative tradition.