Sangha

and the power of Community

Kengo Kuma installation at Casa Batllo’, Barcelona

In Buddhist tradition, Sangha is part of the three jewels, together with the Buddha and the Dharma (teachings). The term can refer strictly to a community of Buddhist monks and nuns, or it can have a broader meaning as a group of people who support each other on a spiritual path.

Yesterday I held the first in person guided meditation for a group of lovely women, experiencing firsthand the power of Sangha as a community of people coming together to share interests, meaningful conversations, and simply the power that comes from being on a shared path to better ourselves, whatever tool we choose to use.

For me it happens to be meditation. For others it could be yoga, sound healing, Reiki, art, or coaching. All these women had something to offer and were moved by a real desire to make a difference in other people's lives.

I have relied a lot on myself over the years. In fact, at times I think that my journey is the journey of someone who needs to unlearn how to rely solely on herself while learning more about the power of community.

I used to think of meditation as a solitary activity that involved just being me with myself, and that gave me a lot of comfort, until I realized that in fact there is so much power in sharing the act of meditating in community. Thinking about it, that's what ashrams are for, and that's why monks gather together to meditate in monastic settings.

While we don't need ashrams or monasteries to meditate or experience the power of Sangha, we know we can create our own communities centered on themes, activities, or interests that resonate with us.

I realized I am happiest when I feel centered on a path to better myself and when I can share it with others. I am happiest when I am around a table in communion with others, sharing food and connection. Which is why after our meditation session we all sat and enjoyed a delicious dinner and continued our conversations. It was a beautiful evening.

Perhaps this is one of Sangha's greatest gifts: it reminds us that we don't have to walk our paths alone. In a world that often emphasizes individual achievement and self-reliance, Sangha offers us permission to be vulnerable, to learn from one another, and to find strength in our shared humanity. Whether we're sitting in meditation, sharing a meal, or simply holding space for each other's stories, we create something larger than ourselves, a container of love and support that nourishes everyone it touches.

The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha work together as jewels precisely because they reflect different aspects of the same truth: that awakening is both deeply personal and inherently communal. As I hopefully continue to host these gatherings, I'm reminded that in opening our hearts to community, we open ourselves to a fuller, richer experience of what it means to grow and heal together.