> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://the.socialmeditation.guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://the.socialmeditation.guide/orientation/a-brief-history.md).

# A brief history

{% embed url="<https://interbeing.wistia.com/medias/j1ue2dyosh>" %}

* **Multiplayer meditation** evolved from earlier **social meditation** practices.
* **Key influence:** Meditation teacher **Kenneth Folk**, who developed **"social noting"** in 2010.
* **Original method:**
  * Traditional **mental noting** (from Burmese Buddhism) was done **silently** during long retreats.
  * Kenneth’s **innovation:** Doing **noting out loud** with others—**"social noting."**
* **Impact:**
  * Social noting was **10x easier to teach and learn** than mental noting.
  * The speaker and their partner, **Emily**, trained with Kenneth and began teaching it.
* **Further development (2021):**
  * During COVID-19, the speaker **trained facilitators** and refined the **core elements of social meditation.**
* **Creation of Multiplayer Meditation:**
  * In collaboration with **Chris Ewald** at **Interbeing Inc**, the speaker **expanded and differentiated social meditation** into **multiplayer meditation.**
  * It retains roots in **Kenneth Folk’s innovations** but is now a **distinct approach** with its own unique framework.
* MOST RECENTLY: We've dropped the moniker "multiplayer meditation" and are sticking with "social meditation".


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