Lesson 37 - Meditation Q&A – Group meditations

From: Yogani
Date: Tue Dec 9, 2003 1:26pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: If I can find others who do this practice, can we meditate
together in a group? I have heard there are benefits in this.

A: Group meditations are a good thing. Any gathering that is for the
purpose of studying and encouraging paths of spiritual unfoldment can
be good for you. If you can commune with others of like interest on a
regular basis, there will be significant benefits, particularly in
inspiring you to press forward with your daily practice. No doubt you
will inspire others to practice as well.

It is good to do a group meditation of ten minutes or so at the
beginning or end of a gathering. You may structure your own
discussion group, or you may be a guest at someone else's.
Regardless, you will find that group meditations have their own
quality. They can be deep and pervasive as individual quieting minds
mingle and reinforce each other. It is a noticeable effect, and
radiates outward to the surroundings. It is good if members of the
group are doing the same practice, but not mandatory, as long as all
can operate quietly within the same time period. Group meditations
are good for individual meditators, and uplifting for the world.

Some people go for "guided meditations." You will not find this style
of group meditation to be compatible with using the mantra, because
your practice is for going inward quickly and efficiently. As your
meditation becomes habit, you will be gone within as soon as you
close your eyes, and a talking meditation guide will be counter-
productive for you. The same goes for meditations using music,
chanting, drumming, etc. These all have their purpose and benefits,
but are not compatible with taking the mantra inward quickly towards
pure bliss consciousness. This is not to say you cannot participate
in guided meditations, chanting, or whatever. But it will be a
distinctly different procedure from your daily meditation using the
mantra. You will find the connections that are appropriate for you
with the many groups that are available. Or maybe you will start your
own group geared to this open approach to advanced yoga practices.
Whatever works for you.

Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I
am in the midst of them." This quote is not given from a sectarian
point of view. It describes a well-known principle. When people
gather for a spiritual purpose, consciousness is stimulated and
rises. This rising can be experienced as deepening silence and
pervading bliss consciousness. This experience occurs in every faith,
in every gathering for a high spiritual ideal, in every gathering for
truth. The group experience of pervading silent bliss consciousness
is maximized during group meditations where multiple minds are
systematically brought to quietness.

Group meditations are not a substitute for your regular twice-daily
meditations. Your individual practice is your primary practice, and
should always be. This keeps your spiritual destiny in your hands, in
your daily practice, regardless of other circumstances. Groups come
and go. Group meditations can be a wonderful boost, but they will
come and go too. Don't rely on them as core practice. Think of them
as bonuses. Life is always changing on the outside. Be sure that your
daily practice is ingrained as an inside aspect of your life, not
subject to being waylaid by outer events. We have talked about the
various strategies for sustaining daily meditation practice in non-
routine situations. Keeping your regularity in practice is very
important as you travel along the byways of life. Whatever you
ultimately choose your daily practice to be, this should be sacred.
It is your primary pathway inward. You can count on it, because you
are committed to doing it every day without fail. Everything else is
passing scenery, inspiring at times, and not so inspiring at other
times. Lean toward the inspiring, let it light the fire of your
desire for progress, and let your daily practice continue to do the
work of ongoing inner purification. We will be adding additional
practices for you to consider. You will build your own daily routine.
A daily routine is the key. It is the surest path to enlightenment.

Explore groups and engage in the ongoing discussion of spiritual
transformation. You have entered a new realm of citizenry – spiritual
citizenry. Bring your pure bliss consciousness to each gathering and
to each group meditation. And always remember you are building your
house daily upon the rock of pure bliss consciousness.

The guru is in you.

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