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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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I did some meditating with other people for the first time, and had no problem sitting 20 minutes. I am so excited. I could easily have kept going each time. I think it helped that I was in ideal situations - in the sun, with a lovely view and even the sounds of water.
But it left me wanting more. I am actively looking for a mediation group now.
Do other people prefer to meditate alone or to sit in a group?
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Joined: Oct 2003
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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Jilly, I'm glad you liked your group experience. I like both meditating in the group and alone. I wrote an article about this: Group Meditation BenefitsSusan
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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The only time I've meditated in a group was when I did the four week meditation group last winter. Each week for four weeks we sampled different types of meditation so we could learn about all the styles. I did enjoy it, especially the guided ones with the person right there talking to you individually. I think I would like a guided meditation far better with the speaker there in person vs recorded on a tape.
For individual meditation I think I like doing that better on my own because nobody else is moving or making noises or such. It's just me and the quiet. I like doing it in a quiet room upstairs - if I tried it outside in warmer months I think the neighbor's dog barking or such would interrupt me. I'm not skilled enough yet to tune it out.
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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Thus far I do not like guided meditations. I just like exploring the quiet of my mind.
And it does seem to be far easier in a group to sit longer, for some reason. I will have to ponder why that is.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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Jilly, I have the same experience finding it easier to sit longer while meditating in a group. For me it is meeting the group's expectation of staying still for a certain amount of time - if they can do it so can I.
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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Yeah, the sitting with others is like mutual quiet feedback
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Joined: Oct 2003
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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Jilly, I hadn't thought of it that way but it truly is mutual feedback, a meeting of minds in quiet time. For me it is a comfort to meditate in a group, I feel somewhat related.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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BellaOnline Editor Elephant
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BellaOnline Editor Elephant
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Hey Jilly, I have to tell you. About your skills like w/nature and survival skills, just thank you so much. I follow them and I haven't found one thing I wouldn't do and actually it's almost something if you'd like, you could start a business w/...like with brochures and workbooks, pamphlets and such I know skills and timing though have to align. With meditation, at least w/me, group meditation I do to find solice and advance my centeredness in feeling connected, when I'm feeling disconnected w/people. Independant meditation I do more for information, either w/myself or in a more worldly fashion.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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Thank you, Elleise! Maybe somehow i can combine writing and those skills. Maybe sell a series of Kindle books on those kinds of skills on Amazon. Thank you for the thought. It is an exciting one!
I like how you differentiated between the feelings of connection and information with meditation.
Susan, I find it comforting as well. It's like parallel play - you are each doing your own thing, yet sharing space together.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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I think what trips me up with quiet group meditation is then if someone coughs or sneezes or such it shakes me out of my routine.
But with speaking group meditation - when there is a voice you're following - the problem doesn't exist because everyone is following the sounds together and it's fine to have additional sounds.
So those are my hurdles.
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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I don't know why i dislike guided meditation so. I guess i am glad then that there are different types for different people.
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Joined: May 2010
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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Jilly I think Eleise's idea of sharing your skills/knowledge with other people is great. I also wonder if you have something to teach people about solitude linked to social networking (ie being on your own/in your own space but also connecting with people). As to meditating in groups what came to mind for me were two experiences: 1) Vipassana Meditation - courses are free. Your undertake this in silence. A great experience if you have the time. I found at the end of ten days meditating with c70 other people I did not even know what language many of the people I meditated with spoke. 2) Mediating with one other person. I have found this to be powerful, and have found that if I do it with a friend/someone I am connected to it can be a beautiful way of meeting/being with someone without the need for words.
Asha Sahni Dreams Editor
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Joined: Oct 2003
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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Asha, I love meditating with a friend, too. For me it deepens our connection.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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I have never tried meditating with a friend - that sounds really nice!
A lot of the editors are asking for a quiet retreat (and even a super super quiet retreat) so maybe we could offer daily mediation sessions!
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,850
BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
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BellaOnline Editor Stone Age Human
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,850 |
I offer a daily cyber meditation at 2pm ET (Eastern Time) come sit and join us! http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17558.asp Susan
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