|
Thecollective
Resistence is futile.


Registered: 06/23/14
Posts: 83
Loc: The void
|
Benefits fits of group meditation?
#22014331 - 07/29/15 10:42 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I'm debating what the benefits are for going to a group meditation vs. just crack down some more at home. I figure this is a good place to be open about my practice since it's the shroomery and all.
The group med. is two bouts' 30min each, then discussion of a buddhist topic in between each med. session. It's the only group meditation within several hours in my po-duck region. I find a consistent sit-down period, each day is key to growth so thought this might be a fun boost to my practice.
I joined mostly because I've really been going through a dry period in connecting with my spiritual teacher/HS., or OBEs, it's been two months since I had a solid one, dissolved my body, and merged my consciousness with my anything let alone played in the plane where my higher self resides, or the golden plane where I feel merged with the omnipresent one that permeates all with mind blowing love and peace. I thought going to a group might help with that synergy-thing, not sure what it's called really, but where you are next to an evolved being and you experiences profound leaps in understanding as well as extra-stuff(single point concentration, samayama, witnessing stuff, etc).
I like how the class triggers a lot in me, kicks the sediment up, so it's easier for me to cleanse and observe myself where the mental ripples are easier, stuff I need to work on, etc. (Like when someone is fighting). But on the other hand, I made the mistake at the last class where I thought is was a simple enough question, and then people exploded. Normally, I reserve my questions after class for the teacher in private, but I thought, this was common enough, no biggie. I asked if the teacher had any recommendations on how to deal with internal heat as a distraction during meditation....he asked me to describe it, and as I did people got in a tizy about how unusual I was, shooting questions, one after another, all at once, it caused quite the disturbance, I tried to tell them it must just be a thyroid issue, nothing at all. But they wouldn't have it. It was rough. I was unprepared for their reactions, and failed to pacify them.
After class, my teacher told me how he would ask his teacher about it, and mentioned how most practitioners don't experience temperature changes with meditation. It's an advanced technique, and nothing he would discuss in front of the others. I was rather uncomfortable, I don't consider myself an advanced mediator, nor am I comfortable with inflaming others or causing this comparing/competition thing that people talk about there. I just joked with him, that I'll just escape within in the meantime, where you go so deep inside that the physical body disappears and you are floating in thought. He kinda rolled his eyes at me, I don't think he thought that was funny.
I haven't even asked the teacher about the hard stuff, like how to better fill with light, and how to most efficiently open up my crown where the golden light comes in, and is quite healing; but also one can exit through the top of the head and experience the indescribable. I also want to learn how to heal people, if filling with light is the way to do that, but after the heat question, which I thought was normal, now I am uncomfortable asking the really tough questions.
I'm not too sure what I'm getting out of it, the meditations are rather short for me, there is a lot of social chatter, and asking questions may cause problems. How do you decide if it's beneficial or not?
-------------------- Oh, God! The stupid! It burns!-Abraham Lincoln
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: Thecollective]
#22014756 - 07/29/15 12:18 PM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Well in terms of Buddhism, idle chatter is considered a big no-no, so that may factor in. .
I have only done group meditations many years ago,
it wasn't really for me then;
now it would be fine, still today I enjoy the concept of 'no meditation, no non-meditation'
idle chatter may actually be
Dharma.
re: on strring things up, sri chinmoy has a nice view, something about tomorrow's dawn..
alan watt's point about the best way to clear muddy water is by leaving it alone. . .
lately i came across the phrase during a meditation, 'clear heart, clear mind - see clearly,'
and i return to it.
how do you know if it's beneficial? whatever makes you stronger.
also jackkornfield.com is a nice page. he was one of Tara's
teachers. .. she's among my favorites.
Namaste.
Tara Brach is the Tara I refer to. 
and stronger - immune system is a good guide. . . hehe
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
GoldenEye
...



Registered: 05/24/13
Posts: 4,340
Loc: Amsterdam
Last seen: 6 months, 19 days
|
|
I like group meditation because sometimes when I sit at home, I am restless and I give up. In group meditation I remain seated and work through it.
|
Thecollective
Resistence is futile.


Registered: 06/23/14
Posts: 83
Loc: The void
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: GoldenEye]
#22015707 - 07/29/15 03:48 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
@Golden Eye, good point, thanks!
Having this so public is helping, laying it out there.
Quote:
I enjoy the concept of 'no meditation, no non-meditation'
Can you explain this concept more?
You gave me some excellent leads to look into, and much to ponder. I'll have to think about dharma in idle chatter, I figured it's just social bonding, or feeling each other out; but if I missed the Dharma it would be unfortunate.
Quote:
how do you know if it's beneficial? whatever makes you stronger.
I like this too. Thank you!
-------------------- Oh, God! The stupid! It burns!-Abraham Lincoln
|
Deviate
newbie
Registered: 04/20/03
Posts: 4,497
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: GoldenEye]
#22016138 - 07/29/15 05:24 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
GoldenEye said: I like group meditation because sometimes when I sit at home, I am restless and I give up. In group meditation I remain seated and work through it.
Yes exactly.
I don't go to any group meditations right now, but I have in the past and want to go try this Zen Temple near where I live, but I have been going to Mass for a while and I find it very beneficial in the sense that once you're, you're there. I am not going to get up and walk out halfway through mass, yet sometimes when I am home trying to meditate or pray I just don't feel like doing it anymore and give up.
Also, I believe when a group of people come together and focus on something spiritual, their energy is multiplied. So you will pick up good energy from being around other people meditating. You might be surprised at how important this can be.
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: Thecollective]
#22017022 - 07/29/15 08:21 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
I have no explanation, but I can say if you wish for wisdom and work for it, you'll get it. It's been said that even the desire for helping others is extremely beneficial, and I do believe this is true.
I love Dogen's heart: http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/23358.D_gen
especially his point, there's no nirvana in samsara, but there's no samsara in nirvana either.
It's also really good that you talk about healing others; ime that is done best by simply being present - without projection or rejection of others, simply giving them the space to be who they are, who they wish to be.
It's a simplistic thing, but it has remained true in my life.
^ agreed.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
Ajahn Don
Stranger


Registered: 07/05/15
Posts: 482
Loc: The buckle of the Bible belt
Last seen: 9 months, 1 day
|
|
I will try to tread lightly here. I wanted some sort of group meditation to work for me. I even became a Theravada monk. What I found was the path is truly a solitary one. I had to work through my moments by myself. There was no easier path. I wasn't looking for anything supernatural, just stop suffering. What I found was mindfulness is awareness of the moment, understanding it, and accepting it. This isn't a group trip.
What I have found useful is dhamma talks and discussions. What caught my attention in the o.p. was the discussion between sessions. My girlfriend started to sit, and this has led to lots of talks--mostly with cannabis lube--which has led to my own much greater understanding as I taught her about Buddhism, or at least my own version of it. She's making remarkable progress, incredible, actually. In just over 60 days she's gotten a much better grasp of her emotions. She can now go through difficult situations without losing her mind (so quickly). It works, the sitting part, with good help.
Trust in the process. Let your mindfulness lead you, and disregard the voice in your head. You can't trust it.
Best wishes,
Ajahn Don
-------------------- "He's not altogether dense, but he's not altogether there."
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: Ajahn Don]
#22018929 - 07/30/15 09:21 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Hi Ajahn, 
agreed with your first two;
esp on dharma talks - I well recommend Tara Brach,
http://tarabrach.com/audioarchives2008.html
on trust in the mind; the third Zen patriarch actually said it was the goal:
'When trust and the mind are not two, Not two, trust and mind, Then all words break off, No coming, no going, no now.'
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: Thecollective]
#22019410 - 07/30/15 11:38 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
hey again bro,
i just wanted to add a couple things -
first - the sources of verses praising the desire to help others
is really vast;
so fwiw -
words don't reach it - yet they
an' - secondly,
well,
nah there is no secondly.
I look forward to seeing your future posts, Ajahn Don.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
HalluciNate
Trippage! / Loving



Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 4,440
Loc: ALL THAT IS
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
|
Re: Benefits fits of group meditation? [Re: Thecollective]
#22020790 - 07/30/15 04:43 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Thecollective said: Benefits fits of group meditation?
TL;DR on the OP, but I can tell you this:
Group meditation increases the potential for a successful desired outcome!
IF you're all very clear on what the intention of the group sesh is.
-------------------- We are here to assist, to teach you to evolve as we go through this process together. We give our own version of things only to bring you to a higher consciousness. No matter what situation you find yourself in, it is the power of your thoughts that got you there. It is also the impeccable belief that thought creates that will transform your experience and the planetary existence.
|
|