I want to talk about the importance of community. In Buddhism, community, or Sangha, is highly valued. Alongside the Buddha, representing the goal of awakening, and the Dharma, the teachings that guide us to awakening, Sangha is one of the three precious elements known as the “three jewels” or “three treasures.” Sangha, which literally means “a bringing together,” involves people uniting around a shared purpose, such as spiritual development or awakening. We come together to practice so that we can grow and wake up together.
Here we are, connected through Wildmind, a community-supported meditation initiative. We are creating a community. So how can this community support our spiritual awakening?
I’ll describe seven ways how being part of a community can help us wake up spiritually. But first, I want to emphasize that being part of a Sangha is not just about paying dues or joining a membership. It requires active participation to truly benefit from it. We gain by engaging and doing.
I encourage you to take advantage of the online community available to all sponsors. If you’re unsure how to access it, just reply to any community newsletter, and I can help you out.
We all face struggles. Sometimes we feel depressed or lose confidence in ourselves. During these times, we need the support of others. Even if we’ve lost belief in our worth, others can remind us of our value and encourage us. The word “encourage” itself has “courage” in it, meaning others can instill courage in us when we’re lacking it. There’s something magical about that!
I realized early on that meditating with others is much easier. When I meditate alone, 20 minutes might feel tough, but with others, 30 minutes or more feels effortless. Most people feel the same. Alone, we might feel restless, but surrounded by other meditators, we feel solid. Even in an online community, knowing others are practicing with us helps us commit to meditating.
One of the most obvious benefits of community is connection. As social beings, even introverts need meaningful connections. Feeling part of something bigger than ourselves is essential. We need to see others and be seen by them, sharing experiences not just with our minds but with our hearts. We care for others and are cared for in return, forming deeply meaningful connections.
Sangha shows us we’re not alone in our struggles. We often think our challenges are unique to us, but seeing others face similar issues helps us judge ourselves less and feel less isolated.
Connecting with others can be tough. Sartre famously said, “Hell is other people.” Sometimes people irritate us or criticize us, and we have to deal with our reactions. For instance, I recently struggled with reacting to another member’s skeptical view on climate change. But these situations are learning opportunities. We can learn to interact respectfully and kindly, even when we disagree.
Community helps us grow through discomfort, offering a centripetal force that brings us together, counteracting the centrifugal force of reactivity that pushes us apart.
We often underestimate our positive qualities, but others can see us more clearly and help us recognize our worth. During my training for the Triratna Buddhist Order, we had retreats where group members would “rejoice in the merits” of each person. It felt uncomfortable at times, but it helped us see ourselves more positively.
A common barrier to participating in an online community is feeling like we have nothing to offer. But simply putting yourself out there encourages others to do the same. The act of sharing, even if you think it’s insignificant, gives others permission and courage to share too.
Witnessing acts of kindness, compassion, and wisdom in a community can be incredibly inspiring. Members of the Wildmind community have shown great kindness in ways I hadn’t considered, teaching me a lot about compassionate behavior. Seeing others have insights and form friendships is inspiring and expands our understanding of what it means to be human.
To benefit from the community, we must be willing to be part of it. Community isn’t automatic; it’s built through reaching out and making connections. We create it through countless acts of bravery, kindness, and communication.
Community is a treasure—essential for spiritual awakening. The Buddha said that spiritual friendship comprises the whole of the spiritual life. Awakening isn’t possible without community. So let’s make this community happen together.
I’m so glad to be part of this community and happy to have you here!