Multiply your meditation benefits: practice often feels steadier when you have a sangha, a community to support you. Many people find it difficult to practice mindfulness all by themselves, and there’s no reason you have to go it alone.
Sangha is one of the three jewels of Buddhism, along with Buddha and Dharma. One simple definition of Sangha is to think of it as our spiritual friends who attend to each other with loving kindness. In Yoga, the community is referred to by the Sanskrit word “Kula.” Many faith traditions have congregations, and even in secular life we talk about neighborhoods and networks. It’s all about recognizing our connectedness and cherishing each other.
In some ways, meditation partners can help us to train our minds in the same way that exercise buddies help our physical fitness. They encourage us to be consistent and accountable about our practice.
Of course, these interactions may run deeper than just doing push-ups together. Closeness can develop as we breathe the same air and share our wishes for one another’s wellbeing. For people who work long hours, meditation centers provide an opportunity to get to know people in a context that goes beyond our workplace identities. We can practice equanimity as we extend the warm feelings we probably have about our family and friends to the rest of the world. We come to realize that everyone’s happiness matters.
Many people also prefer gathering with others so they can participate in guided meditation. The teacher can walk you through each step, call your attention back when it wanders, and suggest topics to think about.
You can find a meditation community in many different places with a wide range of approaches. Check with yoga studios, public libraries, churches, and community centers.
If you’re browsing online, search for meditation Meetup groups or Vipassana meditation. Some Buddhist organizations offer online tools for locating centers all over the US and the world, and many centers welcome everyone so you don’t have to be Buddhist. Try the Shambhala Centre locator, or look through Tricycle Magazine, a Buddhist publication, for centers and communities near you.
We invite you to make us part of your meditation community too. Contact us to find out more about how we can support your practice of mindfulness.
Did you like this article about Multiply Your Meditation Benefits? You can find more practices in our free guided meditations and mindfulness talks.
