I go to a formal group meditation once a week. Download the ‘meetup’ app, I’m sure there is one locally you could join. My meditation group meets on Monday evenings for a 40 minute silent meditation followed by a dharma talk. Mike, who often leads the meditations chooses a topic for the dharma talk. He’s had such topics as love, forgiveness, responsibility, no self, acceptance, chakras, perspective, etc. He talks about the topic in the dharma talk and then leaves time for discussion from all that attend. It’s been an amazing experience that I try not to miss each week. The energy of a group meditation is much stronger than one by yourself. It can be very powerful. The talks afterwards also really help to put things in perspective because you hear from so many other points of view when other people share. It’s amazing to me how differently we each interpret things.
I have also had a group meditation via skype that was a guided meditation. She showed us a couple different breathing techniques to help you get into the right mindset. Breathing is really the key to it. Anytime you are having trouble, just come back to your breath.
Mindfully Authentic 