Sitting Meditation Group
Online
A place to return, practice, and reconnect with what matters
Susann Herrmann
Clinical & Occup. Psychologist, MA
London | Isle of Wight, UK
A simple rhythm of practice
We meet up to six times a week in a simple, steady rhythm of shared practice, at the following UK times:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 7.00 - 7.30
Wed: 19.00 - 20.00
Sun: 9.30 - 10.30
You are welcome to come as often or as little as you like.
There is no real beginning or ending — just an ongoing journey of practice together.
In this group you will find
a quiet and safe space for practice
gentle guidance rooted in mindfulness and the Zen tradition
the support of practicing as part of a regular group
space for reflection and shared exploration
a practice we hold and care for together, with the support of senior students
Who this group is for
This group is open to both new and experienced practitioners.
Some people are just beginning and would like to establish a regular meditation practice, appreciating the support of practicing together.
Others have been practicing for many years and value the sense of community and shared exploration.
Many are simply looking for a steady place to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters in the midst of a busy life.
What matters most is a willingness to show up — to notice, and to meet your experience with honesty and care.
The Heart of our Practice
Three guiding themes within our meetings
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Practice begins with a simple act: showing up.
We sit down and bring attention to this moment — just as it is.
Some days the experience may feel calm and steady. Other days it may feel unsettled and the mind is busy or uncertain. Both are part of the practice.It is not about achieving a particular state, instead learning to stay present with whatever is here and meeting our experience with patience and care.
Each time we notice the mind has wandered and gently return again and again — to the breath, the body, or simply to sitting — we strengthen our capacity to be present, not only in meditation but in many moments of everyday life.
Over time, this presence helps to cultivate greater clarity and steadiness, and gently influences how we meet our lives, our relationships, and the situations we encounter.
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You are welcome to come exactly as you are.
There is no need to arrive calm or focused.
Restlessness, fatigue, joy, confusion, uncertainty, or overwhelm — everything that arises is included in our practice.Meditation is not about becoming someone different or pushing anything away. By allowing ourselves to notice what is actually present, we begin to develop a more honest and compassionate relationship with our experience.
In doing so, we begin to cultivate the quality that supports wise action in life through clarity, patience and care for ourselves and others.
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Although meditation is deeply personal, practicing together is an important support.
Even online, we create a field of shared attention and care. The group becomes a place to stay connected to our intention, and where we learn — both from our own experience and from one another.
Through regular practice and reflection, we cultivate the conditions for living with greater clarity, responsiveness, and care.
Practice is simply returning, again and again, to what is here.
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We meet up to six times each week in our Zoom meditation space, offering a regular opportunity to pause, sit, and reconnect with our intention to practice.
Weekly schedule | UK times
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 7.00 - 7.30 | Silent Sit
Wed: 19.00 - 20.00 | Guided Practice
Sun: 9.30 - 10.30 | Guided Practice or a Talk
If you are joining from a different time zone, please use the link below to easily find your local start time.
The online space opens 10 minutes before each meeting and remains open afterwards, offering a little extra time to connect or simply enjoy an informal chat.
While we appreciate practicing together for the full practice meeting, please be assured that you are welcome to arrive and leave at any time.
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Our meetings follow a simple and steady rhythm.
We begin with a brief chant and reading, helping us to arrive and settle into the practice.Depending on the day, a practice meeting includes:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | 30 minutes
25mins silent sitting meditation
Wed & Sun | 60 minutes
25mins guided practice
occasionally a talk on a topic related to our practice (particularly on Sundays)
peer support in breakout rooms for shared reflection or inquiry,
group dialogue in the larger group.
We close each meeting together with a brief reading.
Nothing special is required.
The invitation is simply to sit, notice, and practice being present — individually and together. -
While I am present as the teacher and guide for the group, experienced practitioners within the community take on the role of practice leaders — helping to hold the structure of the meetings through bell ringing, chanting and readings.
This shared holding of the space reflects an important aspect of contemplative practice: learning not only from a teacher, but through practicing together.
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Our evolving practice booklet is a collection of chants, reflections and readings we use in our meetings.
Some are inspired by long-standing traditions; others come from contemporary voices.
The current version includes:
The Three Refuges
The Teachings are Vast and Subtle
The Five Remembrances
The Harm Reduction Prayer
On Zazen
Mind Like the Moon
Spring Everywhere
Hope in the Dark
Awakening to Discouragement
The Four Aspirations for What Truly Matters
Joining the practice
There are a few ways to join the group.
You can begin with a monthly subscription, offering a simple way to experience the rhythm of the group and see whether it supports your practice.
Many people choose an annual membership, which includes:
ongoing access to the group
optional monthly 15mins individual check-ins to reflect on your practice
additional practice resources
All subscribers also
have access to on-demand live recordings of guided practices and talks
can download a copy of the practice booklet for their own use
receive discounts on individual sessions and events.
You can find full details on the Membership page.
You might be wondering
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Not at all. The group welcomes both beginners and experienced practitioners, with guidance so everyone can feel at ease taking part.
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That is completely normal. The aim isn’t to stop thinking. The practice is simply to notice when the mind has wandered and gently return to the present moment.
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This is very common, especially at the beginning. The practice is not about having a particular kind of experience, but about meeting whatever arises with awareness. Rather than pushing discomfort away, we practice noticing it with patience and curiosity.
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No. You can sit on a chair, cushion, or bench — whatever feels stable and at ease for your body.
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The group draws from Zen and mindfulness, but is offered in a simple and accessible way, open to everyone regardless of background or belief.
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A quiet space, a device with camera and internet access. Sessions take place on Zoom, which is free and easy to use.
A space to look more closely
Alongside the shared rhythm of the group, some people find it helpful to have a more personal space to pause and reflect on what is unfolding in their life — and how they are meeting it.
While the group provides a shared rhythm of practice and support, individual sessions allow for a more personal exploration of questions, challenges, or patterns that may be emerging in your everyday life.
In this way, the two can work together:
the group supporting steadiness and continuity in practice, and individual conversations opening space for deeper reflection and clarity.
Whether you are new to meditation or have been practicing for many years, you are very welcome.
What matters most is the simple willingness to pause, sit down, and begin again — just as you are.
Practice is simply returning, again and again, to what is here.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to get in touch.