Meditation Groups

Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Sir, good friends, companions, and associates are half the spiritual life.”
“Not so, Ānanda! Not so, Ānanda! Good friends, companions, and associates are the whole of the spiritual life. A mendicant with good friends, companions, and associates can expect to develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path."
(SN 45.2)

Retreat and classes form an important part of spiritual practice, but one of the most powerful ways to stay connected to the Dharma and deepen on your own path is regular connection with a teacher and a community practicing together. In the famous discourse quoted here, the Buddha describes wholesome friendship as the very heart of spiritual life.

Spirit Rock's weekly and monthly drop-in groups are designed to support you in growing spiritual friendship, offering weekly connection with a teacher and a group of sincere practitioners, many of whom attend the same group for years, deepening with each other through the changing seasons of spiritual life.

Spirit Rock's Drop-in Groups

In addition to the drop-in groups offered by Spirit Rock, many of our teachers and Community Dharma Leaders have regular meditation groups, both in-person and online. You can find individual teachers' groups through their websites, listed on their bio pages.

Spirit Rock Teachers

Insight Meditation groups worldwide, including groups led by Spirit Rock teachers and Community Dharma Leaders, are listed on the website of Buddhist Insight Network. Here you can search for a group in your area.

Kalyāṇa Mitta Groups

Kalyāṇa Mitta (spiritual friends) groups bring together members of the Dharma community to study and share practice experiences in a friendly, supportive environment. Groups are generally composed of six to twelve members to afford an intimacy not always available in larger sitting groups. The format usually involves 20-30 minutes of meditation, an opportunity to check in about one's personal Dharma practice, and a group discussion of an agreed-upon topic or discussion of a book the group is reading together.

Kalyāṇa Mitta groups may be led by a pair of senior students, or run collectively by all members (peer groups). We welcome senior students to start new groups in their area, particularly serving new students who have recently completed a series of classes with Spirit Rock teachers and are eager to bring the practice more fully into their daily lives.

Since 2020, many Kalyāṇa Mitta and Dharma groups are meeting virtually.

Learn more and see some established Kalyāṇa Mitta peer groups.