Why community matters for mindfulness and how we’re deepening ours

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Why community matters for mindfulness and how we’re deepening ours

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Updated on:

October 16, 2025

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When I first began my mindfulness journey in the monasteries of Thailand and China, I felt a mix of deep inspiration and profound solitude. Sitting on my cushion alone was powerful, but something essential was missing.

It wasn’t until I found a supportive community first at the monastery, and later at Spirit Rock Meditation Center that my practice truly took root and flourished. Being with others who were also exploring presence, compassion, and awareness gave me courage when I doubted myself and comfort when the path felt steep.

This experience taught me a vital lesson: while personal practice is the foundation, community is the container that allows it to grow.

mindfulness community, Why community matters for mindfulness and how we’re deepening ours

The Next Buddha May Be a Community

The revered teacher Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “The next Buddha may take the form of a community, practicing understanding and loving-kindness.”

I have seen the profound truth in this. A spiritual community, or sangha, holds us when we cannot hold ourselves. During my years as a monk, there were moments I wanted to give up. The days were long; the practice was intense. But having brothers and sisters on the path people who understood the silence, the struggle, and the sudden flashes of joy made it possible to persevere.

This need doesn't end when you leave the monastery. Even now, as a husband, father, and teacher, I continue to lean on communities of practice to sustain and challenge me.

How to Find or Build Your Mindfulness Community

If you’ve ever felt isolated in your practice, know that you are not meant to walk this path alone. Here are practical ways to cultivate the community you need:

Join a Local Group: Most cities have local meditation groups, often linked to Zen centers, Insight Meditation societies, or yoga studios. A simple online search for "mindfulness group near me" is a great start.
Attend a Retreat: Even a short weekend retreat can provide powerful connection and renewal, immersing you in a temporary village of like-hearted people.
Explore Online Communities: The digital world offers vibrant, global spaces to learn, practice, and connect without geographical limits.
Study with Resonant Teachers: A good teacher provides guidance, but it is our peers who help us embody the teachings in our daily lives.

You Are Invited to Join Ours

Because community is so vital, we are investing more energy than ever into growing ours: Mindfulness Exercises Connect.

We've designed it to be a true digital sanctuary where you can find support, inspiration, and friendship. Inside, you’ll now find:

A Calendar of Free Live Events: Plan ahead and join regular gatherings.
AI Messaging Support: Get personalized help finding practices and teaching resources.
Deeper Connection: New ways to meet and interact with like-minded people.
A Streamlined Dashboard: Easy navigation to everything the community offers.
Inspirational Posts & Reflections: Wisdom and shares directly from our members.
Free Courses & Workshops: Continuously learn and grow together.
Exclusive Retreats: My next retreat offering is on October 10th.
Mobile Access: Stay connected on the go via the Circle app (iOS & Android).

Our growth as practitioners and teachers is not just about sitting in silence—it’s about walking this path together.

If you’ve ever felt alone in your practice, I extend a warm and sincere invitation to you. Come and see for yourself how a community can help your practice—and your heart truly blossom.

About the author

Sean Fargo

Sean Fargo is a mindfulness teacher and the founder of Mindfulness Exercises, a platform dedicated to making mindfulness accessible to everyone. Sean's journey into mindfulness began after a career in international business, during which he was a Director of Product Development and Procurement in Beijing. Despite his business growth, Sean felt called to explore deeper aspects of life, leading him to ordain as a Buddhist monk in the Thai Theravada tradition. He spent two years immersed in monastic life, learning the art of mindfulness and meditation from some of the most respected teachers in the field.

Upon returning to the Western world, Sean sought to bridge the gap between traditional mindfulness practices and modern life. He worked closely with renowned meditation teacher Jack Kornfield at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and became a trainer for the mindfulness program born at Google. Sean’s work extends to advising technology startups like Elevate Labs and WellBrain (supporting people with chronic pain, trauma and addiction), as well as teaching mindfulness to top executives at companies such as PG&E, Reddit, and DocuSign.

In 2015, Sean founded Mindfulness Exercises to share the transformative power of mindfulness with a broader audience. His platform offers a wealth of free and premium resources, including guided meditations, worksheets, and a comprehensive mindfulness teacher certification. With a mission to help others develop mindfulness with integrity and compassion, Sean has impacted over 20 million people worldwide. Through his teachings, Sean continues to inspire others to live more present, loving, and resilient lives, especially in challenging times.

Sean’s deep commitment to mindfulness is not just professional but personal, as he tries to embody the principles of mindfulness in every aspect of his life and work.