 Learn Meditation Individually or in a Meditation Group?
Meditation is freeing the mind of all outside and inner thoughts. Meditation is learning to become aware of the world surrounding us. It requires sitting, in silence, and allowing the thoughts to flow out of the mind. It requires solitude, or does it? Can mediation occur in a group setting? If meditation is a state of consciousness, how can one meditate with others present?
Never underestimate the power of a meditation group. Many times individuals just learning how to meditate have problems staying focused and become easily frustrated. The group can offer support to these people and give them insight on how to remain calm. Anyone who meditates had to start somewhere and can relate to beginners. The silence of the meditation group encourages the newer members to try harder and push themselves.
Bonds grow out of the silence of the meditation group. Sitting in silence, tapping into each individual’s higher selves, and enlightenment brings the group together. Sharing the experience with other people molds a bond that is hard to break. Although each person is searching for their own enlightenment, being a part of a group seems to carry them further into their consciousness than they could ever hope to go alone.
Take a look at Buddhist monks; they practice both alone and in a large meditation group. In a group setting, you are able to take energy from those around you as well as give energy to the group. This energy has often been said to have healing powers. For those who suffer from painful ailments, when gathered in a group setting more energy is focused into their pain and can have healing affects.
Group meditation can help you grow. The people who are in your meditation group will help guide you on your journey, but they will also encourage and love you. The bond that develops in the group setting is unmistakable and lasts for a lifetime. You are all together with a common goal in mind and can push each other to great lengths you would not be able to do on your own. Each person shares their goals and experiences, which helps motivate the other members. Even when you are all sitting in complete silence, you will be connected to one another on a deeper level.
Meditation groups not only do great things for each other, studies have shown they do amazing things for the community around them. Whenever a group meets, the community seems to be more at peace and crime rates drop. When monks gather together in large groups, the crime rate and violence in the surrounding cities goes down to small, minuscule numbers.
There are many reasons a meditation group works. You are able to support one another throughout the process and through life. Anyone can ask questions and get the answers they need. The group will keep each other accountable and reinforce the importance of daily meditation. The exchange of energy leaves a positive impact on the community around the meditation group. People can be an important part of something and feel connected to the group.
Meditation is rewarding, but can be a challenge. Developing or becoming involved in a local meditation group can make those challenges easier and the rewards richer.
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