Meditating in Community The heart of the meditation group is the sharing of silence together. The power and strength of meditating with others comes from the words of Jesus: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:2 This is the primary reason for getting together once a week. But it is also as if meditators instinctively realise that this is a practice and a journey that is difficult to make alone. While it is true that no one can meditate for us, and a discipline of meditating each day is recommended, often we come to realise that we need and value the support of others if we are to persevere.   Meeting in a group promotes a spiritual bond among the members and a mutual concern between those who have set out on a common pilgrimage. The meditation group is a community of faith, much as the early Christians experienced community in St Paul’s time.   The group setting enables beginners to learn how to meditate. Newcomers can be integrated into the group at any point in time. Experience has shown that when a group starts in a new area, people who have never meditated before will join the group. New groups introduce new meditators to the teaching. The weekly group meeting provides support and encouragement to those who might be discouraged or experiencing difficulties. All of us need, from time to time, the encouragement of seeing others faithful and committed to the discipline.   We also need to absorb the teaching more deeply, and so in the evening groups we look at different teaching materials. These give instruction, deepen our motivation and give us a spiritual boost. There is also the opportunity for members to seek clarification, or to share their experience or difficulties.