tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post2617914551180560810..comments2024-02-24T00:41:37.836-08:00Comments on The Buddha Diaries: A Group DynamicPeter Clothierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11525159413387378704noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3965076219235086304.post-70227150443371827652007-07-12T07:51:00.000-07:002007-07-12T07:51:00.000-07:00I used to reject the idea of group meditation, mai...I used to reject the idea of group meditation, maintaining the idea that a personal intimate experience was possible only through meditating alone. As I stated attending group meditative practices in college (student groups as well as the Kansas Zen Center) I realized there was a whole part of the experience I had been missing.<BR/><BR/>Learning to clear my mind in the presence of others has greatly improved my ability to do so in private as well. I don't think group meditation is a replacement for individual meditation, but together they can be a very positive force.<BR/><BR/>I had the pleasure of filming a lecture by Tibetan monk Mingyar Rinpoche a few months ago at KU and he spoke about being hooked up to a machine that measured his brainwaves when he meditated, and I believe he said they were stronger when measured during group meditation.<BR/><BR/>After all: "One day Ananda, who had been thinking deeply about things for a while, turned to the Buddha and exclaimed: <BR/>"Lord, I've been thinking- spiritual friendship is at least half of the spiritual life!" <BR/>The Buddha replied: "Say not so, Ananda, say not so. Spiritual friendship is the whole of the spiritual life!"<BR/>--Verse 2 of the Samyutta Nikayagabrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10723323234192457442noreply@blogger.com