We had a group meditation session yesterday. It was such wonderful energy, felt peaceful immediately.
For beginners, especially, group meditation is really helpful - not only to meet like minded people but also to stay on the practice of meditation. Some of the re-joiners that come to my class of meditation do not practice regularly at home and come back for the class hoping that it will get them on the practice again. Yes it can, but at the same time, to be consistent, it is good to practice everyday at home for minimum 15-30 minutes, before the next group class, just so that you stay on the consistent course. This is a commitment you need to do for yourself. Meeting people and hearing others experiences, getting small solutions on doubts etc. also helps in getting motivated. The other advantage of group meditation is the group intention of peace, silence etc. which brings in more such energy easily, faster, making us feel peaceful sooner than doing that meditation individually. (But Ofcourse, sitting in meditation alone is also very good.) The other thing I usually share with my meditation friends are things I used personally - using guided meditation videos that are so freely available online (youtube). Meditating with classical instrumental music and guided meditation videos that we like, helps to practice consistently. Time and again I have used it and it really makes my meditation enjoyable. I have read spiritual experiences of others of how they got answers to their questions or overcame fear, illness etc., spoke with spiritual masters that are no longer in the physical body , astral travelled etc. to motivate myself. Other things I use to stay motivated: burn agarbatti (incense) , burn camphor or essential oils while meditating. Also listening to online videos of teachers , reading spiritual books like "Autobiography of a yogi", Apprenticed to a Himalayan master, Living with Himalayan masters - such wonderful autobiographical books etc. So for people like us for whom practicing meditation regularly is more important for its benefits that we receive , using such tools is not blasphemy and they are not crutches. I would definitely go ahead and use it myself. They would become crutches if meditation cannot be done without them. But if motivation is hard to come by, then definitely using these tools is worthwhile. |
AuthorThis is a blog about my thoughts, my journey in life, insights I have had, help that I have received spiritually or otherwise, pretty much anything... Archives
November 2021
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