<p>It is good to start a sitting group. My suggestions are: </p>

<ul>
<li><p>Make the group as informal &amp; self-reliant as possible. 'Self-reliant' means making it clear that meditation is an activity of self-practise &amp; self-endeavour; that the group provides individual members the support &amp; opportunity to develop their own practise. </p></li>
<li><p>Make it clear/overt it is simply an informal sitting group rather than a    formal teaching facility.</p></li>
<li><p>Provide guided meditation only to newcomers or when introducing a new
practise.</p></li>
<li><p>Keep guided meditation short (e.g. 10 - 15 minutes) &amp; main meditation long
(e.g. 30 minutes).</p></li>
<li><p>If there is no guided meditation, do a text reading at the start, 
contributed &amp; read by yourself or by a member of the group.</p></li>
<li><p>If possible, end with tea &amp; formal group discussion on a topic,  chosen
by yourself or by another member of the group.</p></li>
<li>Be as 'democratic' as possible but without expanding into other
spiritual traditions that may cause confusion.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-13T20:56:54.967Z
2017-04-13T21:06:48.670Z
2017-04-13T21:06:48.670Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>I've been practicing for about a half dozen years now, have been fortunate to go on several retreats and have a consistent practice. Where I'm currently living I really don't have access to a sitting group I don't have any delusions about being a teacher but several people who know I sit have expressed  interest in learning.</p>

<p>I was considering doing simple guided sits. Are there any cautions? Should I probably not pursue this without training?</p>

<theravada><meditation-recommendation>
Advice on leading sitting group
# Advice on leading sitting group

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-04-13)

I've been practicing for about a half dozen years now, have been fortunate to go on several retreats and have a consistent practice. Where I'm currently living I really don't have access to a sitting group I don't have any delusions about being a teacher but several people who know I sit have expressed interest in learning.

I was considering doing simple guided sits. Are there any cautions? Should I probably not pursue this without training?

**Tags:** theravada, meditation-recommendation


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-04-13. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

It is good to start a sitting group. My suggestions are:

* Make the group as informal & self-reliant as possible. 'Self-reliant' means making it clear that meditation is an activity of self-practise & self-endeavour; that the group provides individual members the support & opportunity to develop their own practise.
* Make it clear/overt it is simply an informal sitting group rather than a formal teaching facility.
* Provide guided meditation only to newcomers or when introducing a new
  practise.
* Keep guided meditation short (e.g. 10 - 15 minutes) & main meditation long
  (e.g. 30 minutes).
* If there is no guided meditation, do a text reading at the start,
  contributed & read by yourself or by a member of the group.
* If possible, end with tea & formal group discussion on a topic, chosen
  by yourself or by another member of the group.
* Be as 'democratic' as possible but without expanding into other
  spiritual traditions that may cause confusion.


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