user5250: I've been practicing for about a half dozen years now, have been fortunate to go on several retreats and have a consistent practice. Where I'm currently living I really don't have access to a sitting group I don't have any delusions about being a teacher but several people who know I sit have expressed  interest in learning.
I was considering doing simple guided sits. Are there any cautions? Should I probably not pursue this without training?

user8157: It is good to start a sitting group. My suggestions are: 

Make the group as informal & self-reliant as possible. 'Self-reliant' means making it clear that meditation is an activity of self-practise & self-endeavour; that the group provides individual members the support & opportunity to develop their own practise. 
Make it clear/overt it is simply an informal sitting group rather than a    formal teaching facility.
Provide guided meditation only to newcomers or when introducing a new
practise.
Keep guided meditation short (e.g. 10 - 15 minutes) & main meditation long
(e.g. 30 minutes).
If there is no guided meditation, do a text reading at the start, 
contributed & read by yourself or by a member of the group.
If possible, end with tea & formal group discussion on a topic,  chosen
by yourself or by another member of the group.
Be as 'democratic' as possible but without expanding into other
spiritual traditions that may cause confusion.


5250: <p>I've been practicing for about a half dozen years now, have been fortunate to go on several retreats and have a consistent practice. Where I'm currently living I really don't have access to a sitting group I don't have any delusions about being a teacher but several people who know I sit have expressed  interest in learning.</p>

<p>I was considering doing simple guided sits. Are there any cautions? Should I probably not pursue this without training?</p>
 8157: <p>It is good to start a sitting group. My suggestions are: </p>

<ul>
<li><p>Make the group as informal &amp; self-reliant as possible. 'Self-reliant' means making it clear that meditation is an activity of self-practise &amp; self-endeavour; that the group provides individual members the support &amp; opportunity to develop their own practise. </p></li>
<li><p>Make it clear/overt it is simply an informal sitting group rather than a    formal teaching facility.</p></li>
<li><p>Provide guided meditation only to newcomers or when introducing a new
practise.</p></li>
<li><p>Keep guided meditation short (e.g. 10 - 15 minutes) &amp; main meditation long
(e.g. 30 minutes).</p></li>
<li><p>If there is no guided meditation, do a text reading at the start, 
contributed &amp; read by yourself or by a member of the group.</p></li>
<li><p>If possible, end with tea &amp; formal group discussion on a topic,  chosen
by yourself or by another member of the group.</p></li>
<li>Be as 'democratic' as possible but without expanding into other
spiritual traditions that may cause confusion.</li>
</ul>
