Why is it helpful to meditate with a teacher or a Zen group?
There are several reasons why sitting with a group can be helpful. One of the most important is the companionship and support that a group can give to a practitioner. There is also a collective wisdom that can be passed on from more experienced practitioners to newer ones.
Many of the difficulties meditators experience are common. A group gives us the opportunity not only to share these difficulties but also to benefit from the experience of others.
Meditation is also, in one sense, a solitary activity, and it can feel lonely if it is always practised alone. Finding like-minded people can increase enthusiasm and raise flagging spirits. Even with the best will in the world, other priorities intervene and we ‘forget’ to meditate. Attending a regular weekly sitting makes this less likely to happen for long.
A teacher can give guidance and help with some of the material that may arise from meditation or daily life practice. A helpful pointer or a word of encouragement at the right time can make all the difference.
Why not check out The Zen Gateway's own Dharma Centre, which holds weekly online Zazen meetings and provides an opportunity to talk to an experienced teacher?
