Acem was established in Oslo, Norway, in 1966 by Are Holen.
Acem is not a system of beliefs. Its aim is to help people cope with stress and to grow psychologically.
In Acem, teaching meditation is a voluntary role requiring high levels of skill and experience. Many of the initiators and instructors have a level of training in meditation comparable to professional qualifications. Becoming an assistant instructor or instructor takes several years.
Initiators have the primary responsibility for developing Acem’s psychology of meditation.