Meditation has been part of my daily life for decades but I hadn’t run a regular meditation group since I moved to Bayview 20 years ago, but being in lockdown over last Christmas motivated me to meet more locals so, at the beginning of the year I decided to set up a local meditation group.
Meeting likeminded people was key for me, there are lots of social groups in my area and I’ve been to some, but I don’t particularly enjoy small talk. I wanted to mix with people who had similar interests and values to me, and preferably people who worked from home, as I didn’t want to hold a group at night or on the weekends.
I set up a group on the Nextdoor app to see if any neighbours would be interested in attending a regular meditation group. If you are not familiar with the Nextdoor app it is available in most western countries, it’s free, and it connects neighbours with one another. You usually link your own and neighbouring suburbs, so you can connect with your neighbours and know what is going on in your area. I personally think it’s one of the best apps ever developed.
Being totally detached from the outcome my post advertised a meditation group on Thursday mornings. I expected to hear from just a few, and I was pleasantly surprised when 12 people wanted to attend. That number has fluctuated up and down with COVID restrictions. Some of the people attending the group had never meditated before.
Our group has been running for 10 months now, and when we were in lockdown we met via Zoom. We meditate for one another, our families, anyone in need, even pets have been included. The loving kindness meditation is particularly popular, as you can’t help but feel good when you send loving kindness to the world. We experiment with different meditations and get everyone’s feedback.
Last week one woman said, “I always come to the group with a headache that I wake up with every morning, and I always leave meditation without one.” Others have similar things to say that makes this time in my week so special.
Going for coffee afterwards has always been an integral part of our group, it’s such an easy way to get to know one another. We usually walk to our local café afterwards, and most people stay at least an hour and a half.
At the beginning of the year, I knew my immediate neighbours, that was all, now 41 people are part of my meditation group on the nextdoor app, although not everyone comes along. Ten 10 months later I rarely go for a walk without running into someone I know, and I’ve made a couple of special friends I see every week. Stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new enriched my life beyond my expectations.
The world needs more meditation groups so if this is something that interests you, I urge you to consider setting up a group, it’s incredibly rewarding.
For information on my meditation teacher course go to: https://hartlifeacademy.com.au/meditation-teacher-training/