Gathering with others to meditate in the morning is a great way to start the day, say members of Dunedin’s Monday Meditations group.
For the past two years, up to 15 people have gathered at 7am on every second Monday to take part in group-guided meditation and mindfulness practice.
Group founders Rob and Ngaire Tigeir, Suraya Langston and mindfulness and meditation teacher Kovido Maddick believe the experience has ‘‘benefits both in the room and outside of it’’.
‘‘There is something about the energy of group meditation that really enhances the experience,’’ Mrs Tigeir said.
‘‘It helps you to maintain your focus.’’
Mr Tigeir said the Monday Meditations group evolved from a small group of meditation practitioners simply coming together for sessions to a more structured environment that is suitable for people with any level of experience.
‘‘The main thing is that regular practice is key for successful meditation,’’ he said.
The 90-minute sessions include a guided meditation, followed by a reading, usually drawn from Buddhist philosophy, and exercises in mindfulness.
Ms Langston said general descriptions of mindfulness varied, but it could most clearly be understood as a focused, non-judgemental awareness of the present moment ‘‘with an element of curiosity and kindness to yourself’’.
‘‘The aim is to bring a mindful awareness to everyday life, and to help calm the common modern tendency towards busy thoughts,’’ she said.
The Monday Meditation group will meet next Monday, May 21, from 7am at Dunedin Community House, Moray Pl, and fortnightly after that.
All interested people are welcome to attend. Entry by koha.
