5 Benefits of Group Meditation
It is easy to identify the positive outcomes we personally experience as a result of our daily meditation practice. Generally, we see improvement in our sleep, increased happiness, and even benefits in our overall health within just a couple of weeks of meditating.
Even though meditation is a silent activity that is usually done individually, you may notice that as you begin to experience the benefits of your practice, it’s natural to wonder if those benefits of meditation can be amplified by practicing in a group setting. You may also find that you wish to share your experiences with others to gain insight into your practice and make connections with those on a similar journey.
It’s true that meditating together gives us a sense of community and camaraderie which brings about a deeper sense of connection and purpose which are the things that bring meaning to our lives. We feel more unity when we experience others with the same shared mission.
While this may be one of the more obvious advantages of group meditation, the rewards of meditating together extend even further. Let’s explore all the group meditation bonuses available to us when we practice together.
1. ENJOY “DEEPER” MEDITATIONS
We know that when we meditate alone, we feel an expanded sense of awareness. Many meditators even report that they experience a sensation of their consciousness extending beyond their physical body during meditation. One of the many benefits of group meditation is this experience of unboundedness is immediately and effortlessly amplified. When we meditate as a group, we achieve a multiplier effect in which each of the participants experiences greater bliss with no added effort.
This can be especially a fun experience for beginning meditators as they can take advantage of the expanded consciousness of their teacher and those around them who may have been practicing a bit longer. Many meditators report that “deep” meditations feel the best, and this is a surefire way to access these extra juicy and calm vibes using the help of your fellow meditators.
An even more exciting aspect of this phenomenon is that when we come together for meditation we benefit exponentially not only as individuals but extends to those around us. This means that when we meditate as a group and settle down into our quiet, silent state, it has a compounding effect on all our consciousness event horizons. In this way, the positive effects of group meditation are far-reaching and impactful.
In group meditation, our collective silence carries farther, affecting us and everyone around us – even those who are not meditating. In this way, group meditation benefits us in addition to all of those connected to us. Therefore, you are acting as a positive influence not only on yourself but on those around you. The power of group meditation in this sense is that collective consciousness is raised and everyone, even non-meditators, benefits from this experience.
The deep rest that comes from meditating as a group is an excellent way to nourish our bodies and see the effect of speedy evolution in our lives – which is why many of us were attracted to this practice in the first place.
2. GROW WITH COMMUNITY
One of the most exciting aspects of joining for Group Meditation is the shared experience of meditation with like-minded meditators. When we commit to our personal growth and expansion of consciousness, it’s inspiring to be among others who are as dedicated to their personal evolution in the same way. There is a wonderful aspect of sharing of experiences and asking questions inside group meditation that accelerates the learning process and understanding for all.
Meditators often meet inside group meditations and cultivate a strong friendship outside of group meditation as well.
3. KEEP CONNECTED WITH YOUR TEACHER
Group meditations are a great way to check in with your teacher regularly. It provides the opportunity to ask any questions you might be having about your practice or learn from questions others might pose during discussion.
Sometimes this means you can address a resistance you are experiencing to the practice itself, or within meditation, and other times this can look like celebrating your “wins” and sharing the benefits this practice has brought you with others. Engaging in the group discussions allows us to hear varying perspectives and experiences fellow meditators have during their meditation and as a result, we enjoy deeper reflection on our personal practice.
It’s normal to have questions or concerns about what you might be experiencing in your practice and hearing from those around you who may have experienced something similar can be very comforting. Furthermore, being regularly exposed to the wisdom your teacher can provide will help you stay invested in your personal growth through your meditation practice.
Another helpful point to note about group meditations is that it is not required to go anywhere to achieve the benefits from it. Many teachers today hold group meditations online and the effects are felt in the same way as practicing together in a physical space, making it easier to fit this into our modern lifestyle and connect with your teacher and fellow meditators without leaving the house.
Even if there aren’t many Vedic Meditators in your area, if you have access to a computer or phone, you can enjoy the benefits of group meditation without being limited geographically.
4. STICK TO YOUR MEDITATION PRACTICE STAY REGULAR WITH YOUR PRACTICE
Creating and maintaining a new habit can be tricky. We may begin the day with the best of intentions to meditate, but then something or someone else demands our time and we fail to prioritize our meditation within the changing landscape of our daily schedule. This is a normal and natural occurrence when establishing a new habit.
Attending regularly scheduled group meditations is the easiest way to get support with establishing structure and consistency in our practice and it makes us less likely to miss our individual meditations between group meditations.
This article describes the power of accountability when creating a new habit, stating, “And if you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you’ve committed, you will increase your chance of success by up to 95%.” This comes from a larger study done by The American Society of Training and Development in which researchers found that individuals have the following probabilities of completing a goal by taking these actions:
- Having an idea or goal: 10% likely to complete the goal
- Consciously deciding that you will do it: 25%
- Deciding when you will do it: 40%
- Planning how to do it: 50%
- Committing to someone that you will do it: 65%
- Having a specific accountability appointment with someone you’ve committed to: 95%
We know that the benefits of group meditation are both exponential and effortless. Give your future self a gift and commit to attending your teacher’s next group meditation.
5. ENJOY PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF VEDIC WISDOM (AND GET 200% OUT OF YOUR MEDITATION PRACTICE)
Enjoying a fully-rested mind and body is already a great benefit in anyone’s life who practices Vedic Meditation…
But what if life could feel even more profound and meaningful?
When you attend group meditations, we not only meditate together as a group, but we also dive into knowledge topics rooted in the Vedic worldview that helps us gain more knowledge about our human experience and how to live to our fullest potential.
One student described diving deep into Vedic Knowledge as finally finding the user manual for life. If we think about practicing Vedic Meditation as upgrading the hardware of our system, joining for knowledge sessions is like upgrading the software component. The latest and greatest MacBook Pro is so much more powerful when it runs on an operating system to match its full potential.
This pairing of an upgraded intellectual understanding with a purified nervous system is what we refer to as enjoying the 200% value of Vedic Meditation – upgrades in our hardware (less stress in the physiology, more bliss) and software (understanding of cause and effect, the laws of nature, how not to inadvertently cause suffering for ourselves). To me, the wisdom gained during our group meditation sessions is one of the major advantages of group mediations and joining our community of Vedic Meditators.
CONCLUSION
If you’re feeling inspired by our discussion on the value of group meditation and the benefits of joining a community of like-minded individuals, then take the next step and find out how you can join a local group in your area.
If you’ve already learned Vedic Meditation, join us for my weekly Group Meditations for Vedic Meditators. You can find the full schedule here. We host them weekly online, so you can join in from anywhere around the world.
If you’re ready to join our community and meditate together (as well as on your own), sign up for an Introductory Talk and begin your meditation journey (button). Once you’ve learned Vedic Meditation, you’ll have access to all of my offerings and begin to enjoy the benefits of group meditation. Learn more by checking out the latest Vedic Meditation news and frequently asked questions.
