Group and live meditation: why people like meditating together

Many people like to meditate with others because a set time and some company make it easier to turn up. Research comparing group and solo practice is limited, so this guide shares reasons people give, not promises. 2hives is free to use, and you can join a live session and just listen.

A regular time with company

Meditation is often pictured as a solitary activity, yet people have gathered to sit together for centuries: in temples, community halls, classes and, now, online.

Some people say the main reason to join a group is simple: it gets them to turn up. A session at a set time, with others also arriving, is harder to skip than a promise to yourself. A habit study (Lally and colleagues, 2010) followed volunteers who repeated a chosen everyday behaviour in the same context and tracked how automatic it became. That study was about individuals, not groups, and the behaviours were everyday ones such as eating and drinking, not meditation. A weekly group is one ready-made context.

A sense of shared moment

Some people describe a feeling of quiet connection when others are listening at the same moment, even through a screen. We are not aware of research showing that listening to a guided session at the same moment as others has any particular effect, so we make no claim about it. It is simply a reason some people enjoy it.

What the evidence does not show

Research directly comparing group and solo meditation is limited. We make no promise about mood, loneliness or health. The honest summary is that some people like it, and some prefer to sit alone.

What a live session looks like

On 2hives, live sessions run at set times, and 2hives is for adults aged 18 and over. A typical session goes like this:

1. Arrive a few minutes early. Find a seat and settle. Silence your phone.
2. Check your sound. Set the volume to a comfortable level before the guide begins.
3. Listen along. A guide talks the group through the session. You do not need to say or do anything.
4. Finish gently. When the session ends, stay seated for a breath or two before you get up.

You can leave whenever you like, and you do not have to speak.

Making it work for you

• Pick a time you can keep. An evening slot that clashes with dinner will not last. Choose one that fits your week.
• Same spot each time. A chair near a window or a corner of the lounge works. A familiar place helps the habit settle, as a common habit tip says.
• Try it for a few weeks. One session tells you little. Three or four weeks give you a fair feel for it.
• Let it be imperfect. You will get distracted. Return to the voice and carry on, as the NHS describes for mindfulness: notice where your attention is and bring it back.

A worked example

Here is an invented example. Sam works from home and tends to skip meditation when it is just a promise to herself. She picks a live session at 7 pm on Tuesday, puts it in her calendar and sets a chair by the window. In week one she listens quietly and leaves two minutes early because the dog barks. In week two she stays to the end. By week four it is simply what she does on Tuesdays. Nothing dramatic happened. She has a time, a place and some company. That is all the plan needs.

Other ways to meditate together

• Start a small group with friends, colleagues or a club, and agree a weekly time. One person can play a recording while the rest listen.
• Join a local class or community centre session.
• Take part in a time-limited event, like the 2hives 30-day challenge from 21 December 2026 to 19 January 2027, where everyone starts on the same day. See the challenge page for dates and joining.

If you would rather build a habit alone first, see the 10 minutes a day guide.

A note on safety

This is relaxation and general information, not medical advice or treatment. Never listen while driving or operating machinery. If you have epilepsy, seizures or a hearing condition, check with a doctor before using audio like this. See the 2hives safety page.

FAQ

Do I need experience to join a live session?

No. Beginners are welcome and the guide talks you through it.

Do I have to speak?

No. You can simply listen.

Is group meditation better than solo?

Not necessarily. Some people prefer company, others prefer privacy. The best one is the one you will keep doing.

Is it free?

2hives is free to use.

What if I miss a live session?

Try the next one, or listen to a session on your own whenever suits you.

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