<p>When meditating, this creates conditioning / fabrications in the environment around the meditator. So when meditating in a group such conditioning can effect each and everyone in the group making your meditation more productive.</p>

<p>Similarly for any good action if you do as a group the results / karma is stronger than doing solo.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-21T13:15:04.613Z
2014-10-21T13:15:04.613Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>There is neither group nor solo practice. It is a false distinction. The delusion of duality perpetuates this illusion.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T14:50:05.783Z
It does not at all. However, I am grateful for this answer.
Zsolt Szatmari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-09T22:34:23.397Z
2016-10-09T22:34:23.397Z
Blaise Aguirre
<p>In my experience, group meditation gives one encouragement and adds a new dimension to one's practice. The sense of community is also helpful.</p>

<p>A disadvantage of group meditation is that groups vary in their qualities and it might take a while to find the right group. I've tried 3 in my city, and only one have I been able to take seriously. They consider themselves Buddhist, and they apply it to their lives in an honest and genuine fashion. The meditation session is uncomplicated, consisting of beginning and ending chanting, a 50-minute sit with a break, and a short reading passage from some Buddhist literature. This group is affiliated with one of Ajahn Chah's monks.</p>

<p>Of the other two, one was in it for the money, and didn't give me a feeling of community. The last one is sort of a secular mixed bag of traditions that doesn't seem to settle on any one practice.</p>

<p>I have a slight preference to meditating alone, but I try to make it to my group's weekly meet when I can, as it provides me some consistency that I wouldn't otherwise have.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-18T18:26:59.573Z
I like your answer, I think group meditation is good, however more distracting, sometimes the places are overcrowded and its good only to practice patience and loving kindness, because meditation becomes hard... I prefer to do it alone too
konrad01
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-18T15:51:26.933Z
2014-10-18T15:51:26.933Z
Anthony
<p>Other than personal preference, are there known to be advantages or disadvantages to meditating in a group instead of alone? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-18T17:04:36.377Z
Are you looking for some canonical answer, instead of (i.e. other than) personal opinion/experience/preference?
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-18T17:16:54.750Z
If there is a canonical reference to advantage or disadvantage of group meditation; that would be very interesting to know. Modern studies would also be interesting.
Robin111
<personal-practice><meditation-practicalities><meditation-recommendation>
Group meditation vs. Solo meditation
# Group meditation vs. Solo meditation

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-18)

Other than personal preference, are there known to be advantages or disadvantages to meditating in a group instead of alone?

**Tags:** personal-practice, meditation-practicalities, meditation-recommendation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Are you looking for some canonical answer, instead of (i.e. other than) personal opinion/experience/preference?  
> **username_0**: If there is a canonical reference to advantage or disadvantage of group meditation; that would be very interesting to know. Modern studies would also be interesting.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2014-10-18. Score: 4

In my experience, group meditation gives one encouragement and adds a new dimension to one's practice. The sense of community is also helpful.

A disadvantage of group meditation is that groups vary in their qualities and it might take a while to find the right group. I've tried 3 in my city, and only one have I been able to take seriously. They consider themselves Buddhist, and they apply it to their lives in an honest and genuine fashion. The meditation session is uncomplicated, consisting of beginning and ending chanting, a 50-minute sit with a break, and a short reading passage from some Buddhist literature. This group is affiliated with one of Ajahn Chah's monks.

Of the other two, one was in it for the money, and didn't give me a feeling of community. The last one is sort of a secular mixed bag of traditions that doesn't seem to settle on any one practice.

I have a slight preference to meditating alone, but I try to make it to my group's weekly meet when I can, as it provides me some consistency that I wouldn't otherwise have.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: I like your answer, I think group meditation is good, however more distracting, sometimes the places are overcrowded and its good only to practice patience and loving kindness, because meditation becomes hard... I prefer to do it alone too  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-10-21. Score: 0

When meditating, this creates conditioning / fabrications in the environment around the meditator. So when meditating in a group such conditioning can effect each and everyone in the group making your meditation more productive.

Similarly for any good action if you do as a group the results / karma is stronger than doing solo.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-10-09. Score: -1

There is neither group nor solo practice. It is a false distinction. The delusion of duality perpetuates this illusion.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: It does not at all. However, I am grateful for this answer.  

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