Step-by-step from starting a local meditation group to building a community
1. How do I start a local meditation group?
Those who have discovered the value of meditation often seek ways to further develop or solidify their practice. Joining a local meditation group or community can be helpful for this. Many local and regional meditation groups have already been founded by people who were once
Below, we will provide practical tips based on our own experience working with a group.
2. How do I find a suitable location for meditation meetings?
Ideally, the space for the meditation group should have a quiet and pleasant environment where members can meet undisturbed. For starters, especially if there are only a few participants in the group, someone’s living room at home can be a suitable place. If the meditators are willing, the venue can rotate among members.
The meditation group doesn’t always have to meet physically. It can also be virtual, for example, by meeting online via Zoom, as we do in our Vipassana online meditation group. In this way, the online group can represent a network of people who want to stay in touch to meditate together, reflect on their practice, and support each other.
3. How many people are needed for a meditation group?
Some groups run successfully with just two or three regular members over a period of years. However, a larger group generally generates more energy and offers a richer group meditation experience. Furthermore, a larger group reduces the subjectively perceived pressure for individuals to feel they must attend every session. The dynamic of a group is influenced by its size. For example, if you want a discussion or exchange within the group, some people might feel more comfortable speaking in a smaller group, while for others, the opposite is true.
Once the group has reached a stable size, it may be possible to offer multiple sessions per week at different times to accommodate as many people as possible.
4. What about people who want or need guidance for meditation?
Basic instructions and guidance for beginners can be provided by group members who feel confident doing so and have a long and continuous personal meditation practice. Participating in multi-day meditation retreats or courses led by an experienced Dharma teacher is very helpful for deepening and expanding group practice.
5. How do I structure the meditation sessions?
Typical sessions are usually a combination of the following three elements:
1. Meditation
A period of silent sitting meditation or guided meditation (30-60 minutes), often alternating with sitting and walking meditation
2. A tea (and/or discussion) break
3. Exchange and discussion
Listening to a recorded Dharma talk as audio or video; a talk by someone from the group or a guest speaker (shorter talks usually work best); a pre-determined discussion topic, perhaps introduced and led by a group member; a sharing session, e.g., inspiring poems or texts, or sharing experiences related to a specific topic.
6. When and how often do you meet?
Most groups typically meet on a weekday evening, weekly or bi-weekly, for one to two hours. It’s also possible to meet during the day on weekends, which has the advantage of people being more alert for sitting and discussion, but it can be harder to get people to commit to regular weekend meetings.
7. How do I promote the group?
This essentially depends on where the group originates and whom it primarily aims to attract. Even for a meditation group, the usual rules of “marketing” apply if you want to reach a broader audience.
1. Internet
1.1 Buddhastiftung
The Buddhastiftung can provide initial assistance and
– list your meditation group
– publish the group’s dates in the Buddhastiftung event calendar
Simply contact us.
1.2 Google
In the long run, you should create a Google account for your group (or a corresponding account elsewhere). This will give you an email address, a calendar (also public), and other tools like documents and storage space for starters. If the group is already stable, it is advisable to turn the group account into a (free) “Business Account”, which will make the group visible on Google.
If you have a fixed location where you meet, you should enter the address of your meditation group on Google Maps. There you can then enter the meditation dates, upload pictures, etc. This is a very important step to be found and listed as a group in regional searches!
1.3 Facebook and Co.
Create a Facebook profile or a profile on Instagram or Twitter (or a profile on another platform). There you can disseminate the meditation group’s dates and other information.
1.4 Own Website
If the group is larger, you might want to create your own website. However, this is not the most important thing for the beginning.
1.5 Email
Send emails to friends who might be interested and perhaps start a regular newsletter. A good and free provider with GDPR-compliant data protection is Brevo.
2. Print Media
Create flyers or brochures and distribute them in local centers, such as educational institutions, community centers, doctor’s offices, complementary medicine clinics, health food stores, kiosks, libraries, etc.
Place an advertisement in a local (online) newspaper or an “alternative” city magazine.
3. Word-of-Mouth
Ask friends, family, or colleagues to spread the word.
8. How do I communicate with group participants?
A group newsletter keeps participants informed. Alternative options include a WhatsApp group account or a shared Google account with a calendar, or one of the many other ways to connect electronically. Sometimes, a simple phone call is enough, as long as the group is small; a group call can be easily and quickly started via a smartphone.
Dates that suit everyone can be found via Doodle.
9. How do I establish the local meditation group in the community?
As the group grows, you will need to consider regularly renting a room or hall. This can be paid for by a “subscription” or a “session fee,” calculated to cover costs, with a small reserve for sessions with fewer participants. It is important to clearly communicate and define the cost issue beforehand!
Suitable venues can be rooms in community centers, or a meeting room of a religious community, a center operated by another Buddhist or spiritual group, a room in a doctor’s office or a yoga studio, rooms in a school or a sports center. Especially in large cities, it can take a while to find suitable rooms at a suitable time and price. It is important to consider the parking situation, public transport connections, and, if applicable, accessibility for people with disabilities.
Once a permanent meditation space has been found, you might consider jointly purchasing meditation cushions and mats so that participants don’t always have to bring their own for the evenings.
10. How should the meditation group organize itself?
Especially for larger groups, it’s helpful to define various roles or tasks within the group’s structure and organization, and to appoint individuals (or a small group) to be responsible for a specific period.
Typical roles in a meditation group include:
A Meditation Group Coordinator, who organizes regular meetings
A group member responsible for internal and external communication (group correspondence, newsletters, etc.).
A contact person to serve as a personal point of contact and to answer inquiries
A “Treasurer” who manages the group’s financial aspects, including a bank account if needed (e.g., for room rental)
An Event Organizer, who handles contacting teachers, organizes Events outside of regular meditation evenings, and potentially joint activities for the meditation group.
It is also important for the group to establish a consensus on how decisions are made, for example, by simple majority or a two-thirds majority. The group might also want to delegate decision-making to an elected body for a certain period to avoid constant discussions within a larger group.
11. What should be considered for day and weekend retreats?
A day or weekend retreat offers group members the opportunity for a deeper and more sustainable meditation practice. It can also be a way to attract new members to your meditation group if it is widely promoted. Such days are often suitable for both those new to meditation practice and experienced practitioners, as basic meditation instructions can be provided.
Day retreats or meditation days are usually held in silence, apart from meditation instructions and Dharma talks by a teacher. The lunch break can also be held in silence, although this can be uncomfortable for those new to meditation or retreats. One way to address this could be to include a Q or discussion session led by a teacher or experienced member of the meditation group.
You will need a quiet, adequately heated hall suitable for the expected number of participants, ideally with enough space for walking meditation, either indoors or outdoors. Remind participants to bring mats, cushions, blankets, etc., and to wear comfortable clothing.
Normally, the costs for the room or hall (plus all other administrative costs, including the teacher’s travel and accommodation expenses) are covered by a fee charged to participants – usually around 10-30 Euros for a day. In addition to this fee, a box or bowl is usually set up to receive Dana (donation to the teacher for their teaching) for the teachers, who generally do not charge a fee for their teaching. Dana and its function should be briefly explained by one of the retreat organizers.
If catering is not provided by the retreat organizers, participants must be informed to bring their own meals. Drinking water, tea or other beverages, and cups or mugs should be provided.
12. How do I organize self-guided retreats as a meditation group?
It is also possible for a meditation group to organize “self-guided” day retreats or meditation days, perhaps at someone’s home (using the garden for walking meditation), where everyone practices sitting and walking meditation according to a pre-arranged schedule, perhaps supplemented with a recorded Dharma talk and a shared meal.
13. How do I structure the topics in the meditation group?
It is beneficial to define themes or focus areas for group work for a longer, yet manageable period of several months.
As a meditation group that feels connected to secular Dharma or Buddhism, it is natural to explore these thematic areas.
For larger groups, additional separate meetings can be set up to study specific aspects of Dharma or to explore particular forms of meditation practice. Such groups can meet regularly, monthly or bi-monthly.
14. On the Path from Meditation Group to Local or Regional Community/Sangha
The meditation group itself has the power to become more than just sitting together every two weeks. Community activities can be planned, such as communal cooking, film groups, book groups, women’s groups, to name just a few ideas. One day, the group might decide whether to continue the formed community as a closed group or to always be open to new members.
May the chosen path lead to the goal of approaching a culture of awakening.
