The Benefits of Group Meditation and How to Start Meditating in 2026

Jun 25, 2026

What is the power of collective meditation?

One fist, or five fingers together, is more powerful than one finger alone and the same goes for meditation, especially if you’re a beginner.

The beginning of my meditation journey was messy, full of confusion and I often felt like I wasn’t meditating right. Then, everything changed when I joined a group meditation program. The teacher was wonderful and the collective energy of the group, along with a few other factors, significantly improved my practice!

Whether you’ve noticed a difference between meditating alone or in a group (and want to understand why it’s like that) or maybe you're simply trying to figure out which approach is best to start with, I’ve got you covered!

Photo of Rebecca Michelle a meditation coach, sitting in a circle for group meditation. — Hey there! I’m Rebecca, I’m a meditation teacher with 10 years experience!

I teach professionals how to meditate *effectively* to improve their overall well-being through private meditation classes and I also lead group meditation online!

It took me years to understand how to meditate correctly and find a practice that worked for me. Early on, I tried meditation both by myself and in groups without much success. My attention was scattered and I just didn't get it.

But one group meditation program I found in Bali completely changed my life. I felt so supported in this program and during the group meditations, I noticed sharper focus and deeper concentration. This is why meditating with the right group and a great teacher is so impactful. Now, I genuinely love meditation and look forward to every practice!

As a meditation coach, I’ve led over 1,000 sessions, including one-on-ones and group classes! Through this, I’ve come to recognize and appreciate the unique benefits of solo meditation and group meditation. Now that I truly understand meditation, I’m here to break it down in a simple, approachable way to help you figure out the next step on your journey.

Today we’re diving into the following about meditation:

why meditating with a group is more powerful than meditating by yourself, especially for beginners
one benefit I noticed from meditating by myself after reflecting on my long meditation journey
how your meditation needs and practice evolve overtime
how to start your meditation journey

A photo of Rebecca Michelle, a meditation coach leading meditation for a group sitting on the ground.

Benefits of Group Meditation

What happens when people meditate together?

There’s lot of magic involved when meditating with a group, for a few special reasons. I’ve experienced the benefits of group meditation firsthand and many of my students also report the same experiences, like more intense and meaningful meditations. So, let’s talk about the wonderful benefits of group meditation!

1. It’s a Shared Experience that Encourages Growth: There’s something special about joining a group to work toward a common goal. You learn together, you meditate together, you struggle together and grow together, it really is a beautiful experience. During the meditation program (in both ones I’ve attended and have hosted) the most valuable moments came when people asked questions or shared their experience; why they’re meditating, what’s their experience been thus far and what they hope to achieve. We all have something to learn from one another, and it's incredible how sharing our personal experiences can positively impact everyone’s growth.

Although the group meditation program I attended was in 2017, I still vividly remember the sense of connection, bonding over feelings of both overwhelm and excitement. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. Moving through the same journey alongside others felt incredibly supportive and motivating, which naturally encouraged my growth. That group experience not only deepened my meditations ten fold, but I learned more about myself in one month than I had learned in an entire year on my own.

A photo of meditators sitting with their eyes closed in meditation.

2. You’ll Have Stronger Meditations with an Experienced Teacher: Meditating under the guidance of an experienced teacher can significantly deepen your practice. I’ve noticed it and my students have also reported stronger focus, sharper concentration and the ability to drop into deeper meditative states. This isn’t just about technique, it’s about energetic presence.

A teacher who truly embodies what they teach and lives with a high level of present-moment awareness naturally influences those around them. Their calm, grounded energy creates a supportive space for growth and their presence alone can elevate the entire group’s experience. Just as we attune to the energy of people around us, we also attune to a teacher’s awareness and focus in meditation.

That kind of transmission, often subtle and unspoken, can shift your practice in powerful ways. This is why it’s so important to find a teacher with extensive experience, consistent practice and authentic embodiment of the teachings they share.

3. Group Meditation Concentrates, Directs and Amplifies Energy Toward One Point or Focus: When all meditators are training and directing attention toward one point of focus in meditation (for example, world peace) and are being guided by an expert meditator, the meditation creates a strong current of energy. As the meditation continues, the energy gets amplified through the group’s continued focus toward the object in meditation (like world peace). That’s why meditating in a group feels different compared to meditating alone; you’re more likely to experience heightened awareness, better focus and a strong energetic presence that feels empowering.

A photo of meditators sitting in circle meditating with eyes closed.

Now I must admit, I’ve joined group meditations that haven’t been great. For example, I once went to a small event where we sat in an auditorium and starred at a candle next to a picture of an Indian saint and “meditated”. While it was an experience that added value to my “meditation experience bank”, it wasn’t the kind of practice that resonated with me.

The most impactful moments have come from meditating with an experienced teacher who knew how to effectively guide us. Also, I benefited the most when I meditated regularly with the same group for an extended period of time, this is when I noticed a real shift.

My attention was stronger, I could sit in meditation longer and I had some of the most profound insights and realizations that permanently changed how I lived my life and perceived myself. I left that program finally understanding the basics of meditation and a new version of myself emerged, it was life-changing.

Is it better to meditate alone or in a group?

As a beginner, it’s best to start your meditation journey in a group setting: Group meditation changed everything for me. I struggled on my own for a year until I joined the program in Bali. In the program, I had other meditators to gain insight from, my teacher shared her 20 years of wisdom with us and it felt meaningful to discuss my complex meditation experiences. Therefore in the beginning, I suggest joining a long-term program with a trusted teacher.

Now, that we’ve talked a little bit about the pros of group meditation, let’s get into one controversial benefit of solo meditation (yup, maybe you’ll disagree with me).

A photo of a girl sitting in meditation with a grey blanket wrapper around her.

The Benefits of Solo Meditation

There is one thing I‘ve noticed about solo meditation and why it’s worth it, even if you’re a beginner.

In my first year of exploring meditation, I tried a lot of different styles. Through my research of various practices, I noticed some made me feel more “attuned” to myself and present, while others just felt disconnecting, awkward or not for me. This exploration proved to be a valuable learning experience and helped me understand what worked for me as an individual and what didn’t. When it came time to choose a group program, I knew what I wanted because I had tested lots of styles. While researching and testing various meditation practices is time consuming and may cause frustration, know that there is value in this process.

As you move through your meditation exploration journey, I encourage you to pay attention to what feels “right” and follow that! If I had to start my meditation journey all over again, I’d do it exactly the same way!

How Your Meditation Practice Evolves Overtime

Day one of my meditation journey, compared to present day meditation journey are two very different places. Maybe you’re asking, ‘does meditation change who you are?’ Let me explain how you and your practice change overtime and what to look for that shows it’s working.

Beginner Meditator: In the beginning, I was lost and five minutes of meditation felt like an eternity. I was also trying a bunch of things that mostly didn’t feel “right” and that led me to join a group meditation program. The program’s message really resonated with my soul and through it, I had learned tools and techniques to calm my mind, concentrate my energy and improve my focus. Plus, I had grown exponentially in just four weeks and left finally understanding how to meditate on my own. These outcomes were so impressive that I decided to return to the same program two more times!!!
Intermediate Meditator: After the first program, I had continued meditating on my own and it became quite enjoyable. The second time I returned to the program, I felt comfortable sitting for one hour in meditation. Whereas the previous year, I anticipated meditation with fear and anxiety. We meditated in the morning for an hour and about 45-60 minutes in the evening, it was great and I looked forward to each session. At the end of the program, my mind felt even more spacious, I was catching intuitive hits more clearly and again, I felt like a “new” and improved version of myself emerged. Meditation felt like a piece of cake and I couldn’t get enough.
Advanced Meditator: In my third year of returning to Bali to meditate, something interesting happened. I used to rely heavily on my teacher’s ques to keep me focused in meditation. But this year, I began to feel distracted by her prompts, they started to pull me out of deeper states of meditation rather than guiding me into them. Instead of feeling comforted by her voice, I found it increasingly disruptive. Additionally, one hour meditation sessions that once felt long, now passed in what felt like minutes. These were clear signs that I no longer needed external guidance, which I once relied on so heavily. In that moment, I realized I was ready to step away from the group program and become my own guide, not just in meditation, but in life as a whole. It was a deeply empowering realization and a pivotal milestone on my meditation journey. From here, I felt confident guiding myself in meditation and my practice grew and evolved overtime.

Photo of Rebecca Michelle, a meditation teacher leading a group meditation. She is listening to the breath of meditators.

I’ve been meditating since 2016 and I attended the special program I mentioned above three times! We meditated for one month, almost two hours a day and did other various mindfulness practices together.

Also, I’ve been teaching meditation since 2020. All of this experience has made sitting in meditation feel very similar to not sitting in meditation. Meaning, I feel present and attuned to my deeper self and the environment I find myself in for a majority of the time. I still meditate regularly because it’s the practice that keeps me balanced in a world full of ups and downs, it helps me stay present in a world full of unconsciousness and it keeps me connected to truth, love and real power.

If you’re still reading at this point, you may be asking yourself, ‘but how do I start?’ Let’s discover the best way to begin meditating? Lucky for you, it’s never been easier!

How to Start Your Meditation Journey

There are so many different options out there and I know it can be overwhelming. But, it’s important to loosen up your expectations and be patient, eventually the right practice will find you! Here are my suggestions when starting out:

explore meditation apps, there are a ton of free resources and options to check out
attend live meditation events and workshops to get a feel for different styles and teachers
search online and try different practices you feel drawn toward and note the ones that feel meaningful
join a meditation program that fits what you’re looking for (sign up to my free Mindfulness Newsletter to hear about the next group classes online)
find a meditation teacher you love and sign up for private meditation classes

A photo of Rebecca Michelle's meditation workshop, which has a group of meditators in a circle with their eyes closed.

As a beginner it’s best to try different meditations and see what feels “right” for you, follow that.

Sign up for group events and programs if you’re not seeing results on your own. Your meditation experience will evolve overtime, so adjust your practice as needed. I know it can be overwhelming so take your time!

Work with a Mindfulness Meditation Coach

Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Coach

Photo of Rebecca Michelle, a private meditation coach who is smiling with a hat on.

Hey there, I'm Rebecca!

I help busy minds learn how to meditate to improve their overall well-being through private meditation programs and group meditation classes. I know starting a meditation practice can be intimidating and overwhelming.

Here are a few ways I can help if you want to advance your practice:

Sign up to my Mindfulness Newsletter to get meditation tips and details on the next group event.
If you want private instruction, check out my one on one meditation classes.
Reach out if you have any questions - I'm happy to help!

After my classes, participants often tell me their meditations were more intense and meaningful compared to their individual practice, the simple tips they learned improved their focus, concentration and overall meditation experience, they were surprised how easily they dropped into a state of deep relaxation using the methods I taught and they mention how learning about their mind, how it works and how to use it to their advantage was life changing!

I’m wishing you the best on your meditation journey! xxoo