THE EFFECTS OF GROUP MEDITATION IN Social disconnectedness & Perceived isolation
In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with technology, compartmentalizing our activities, and exposed to distractions, and noise, often forgetting about the importance of connecting with ourselves and others without judgement.
Meditation is one practice that can help us reach a more understanding place, and correct me if I am wrong but I think we are all in need of that in our current world.
To give you an example, this article from the medical journal The Lancet Public Health, reports on a longitudinal study that aimed to investigate the relationship between social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans. What caught my attention was the difference between the two forms of social isolation: social disconnectedness and perceived isolation.
Social disconnectedness can be characterized as a scarcity of contact with others. Perceived isolation, by contrast, reflects the subjective experience of a shortfall in one's network functioning and social resources. This perception could involve feelings of loneliness, of absence of support or a perceived inadequacy of intimacy in one's interpersonal relationships.
While social media for example, has kept us connected and yes, foster important movements of freedom and self-expression such as #metoo, the rise of these platforms have also been linked to a dramatic increase of depression and anxiety. In a way they have shaped the way we communicate with each other, and in consequence our social dynamic. The consequences extend beyond the platforms themselves and permeate our politics, work and they way we exist with the world.
Overall, the article sheds light on the important role that social connections play in our well-being and that is where practices like group meditations can be valuable tools for change and the reason we started the Cambridge Meditation Group to begin with.
GROUP MEDITATION, A PATH TO EMPHATIC CONNECTION AND SOCIAL CHANGE…
By simply observing our thoughts, we can open up the possibility of seeing beyond our immediate surroundings and developing a sense of empathy that can have a ripple effect in our life as a community, and in a more personal level, allows us to let go of our attachments and focus on what truly matters.
That is why I started the Cambridge Meditation group, to foster an environment of support on our journeys of self-discovery, to transcend words and loudness. Why not share our challenges and celebrate our successes with each other?
There is one particular study I would love you to read later, you can find the link here, but long story short, from 2007 to 2011, researchers started keeping track of 1,725 people who meditated every day. During those five years, something amazing happened. The statistics showed that stress-related incidents in the US as a whole had gone down by a large amount, even though only about 1% of the people meditated together.
Photo courtesy of The New Yorker, “Group meditation curbs stress, whether you do it or not: study”, Brooke Kate, December 29, 2022
If you wish to give it a try and register for our free Friday Meditation Group, please use the link below. Remember the space is being facilitated for these sessions and the meditations are NOT affiliated with any ideology or religion. Can't wait to see you there!
If you want to learn more about meditation, I invite you to follow my blog series title “TWO THINGS I READ TODAY…” Our first article taps on different ways to breathe during meditation and the best posses to get the best our of your meditation session. I hope this information is as useful to you as it is for me. Can’t wait to see you at the Foundry
Much love,
Mari 🩵
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY… @CAMBRIDGEMEDITATIONGROUP IN INSTAGRAM
DISCLAIMER
These group meditation series are meant to relax and connect, not replace medical or mental health treatment. Before initiating any new wellness or meditation practices, participants should consult with their health providers. Session organizers are not liable for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from participation.
