Practising mindfulness with others can help us stay motivated, feel connected and develop greater kindness towards ourselves. Mindfulness teacher Akasati Annie McAuley explores five reasons to meditate together online, drawing on the experiences of people attending her live mindfulness sessions.
Studies have shown that meditation improves focus, emotional resilience and compassion. It can reduce stress and depression and benefit our physical health. But to continue reaping these benefits, we need to maintain a regular practice.
This requires a level of discipline that can be challenging. We may have planned to start or maintain a regular practice, but life happens! There are busy or stressful times. Resistance can creep in, and other activities (scrolling, for example) start to look more attractive. Or we may simply lose the habit for no obvious reason.
“There’s something about accountability – this has become an anchor point in my week.”
– Live mindfulness session participant
What helps us maintain a meditation practice?
Some people prefer to meditate alone and have the discipline to keep going. But for many of us, meditating with others provides essential support. Meditating in person with a group can be a calming, grounding experience. The palpable stillness and quiet can feel energising, even moving. But in-person classes aren’t always convenient. There may be nothing local, or constraints on time or money.
Fortunately, meditating together online offers many of the same benefits. At Sussex Mindfulness & Compassion, we offer free online live mindfulness sessions, open to all. I’m part of a small team of qualified mindfulness teachers who take turns leading our weekly Wednesday morning sessions. Our practices include cultivating kindness and compassion. We also offer additional monthly sessions, all completely free of charge. Find out more about our free live mindfulness sessions.
I recently asked some of our drop-in participants what they appreciate about practising in a group. I’d like to share some of their comments here:
1. It’s energising and encouraging
“The sense of peace, calm and stillness in silence is more powerful when others share the practice.”
“When I am struggling to meditate, knowing that others are meditating with me helps me stick it out.”
2. The power of community and connection
“We are a community and support one another.”
“Connecting with like-minded individuals, all purposefully choosing to meditate together is incredibly valuable.”
“I feel well nurtured and safe in the group setting.”
“The universal connection is so powerful.”
3. Being together in silence and stillness can be a relief
“Like the comfortable silence you have with a great friend or partner.”
“Low-demand togetherness (great for introverts!)”
4. An accountable, protected space
“There’s something about accountability – this has become an anchor point in my week.”
“Being online creates boundaries so I have my own space too!”
“It feels like a sacred and protected space.”
5. The value of shared reflections, questions and inquiry
Following each meditation, we allow five to ten minutes for shared reflections and questions. This is optional, and people can contribute verbally or through the chat. This ‘inquiry’ is a valuable opportunity to learn from one another. Hearing about others’ experiences can be inspiring and reassuring, reminding us that we’re not alone in our struggles.
“The contribution of others afterwards is so helpful and informative.”
“It is reassuring to be reminded that, even when meditating, we can still have busy minds. There may be critical thoughts, to-do lists and so on going on in our heads. It allows me to be more compassionate towards myself.”
I find I learn as much from these sessions as anyone else. As a mindfulness teacher, I feel fortunate to be part of this community. Whether we experience a sense of calm or find ourselves struggling, there’s always value in cultivating a little more self-awareness, kindness and clarity.
If you’d like to start, re-establish or maintain a regular meditation practice, why not join us? Sussex Mindfulness & Compassion’s free online mindfulness sessions are open to everyone, whether you’re relatively new to mindfulness or have been practising for years.