What is it about human nature that makes us crave gathering in community? Why do we create celebrations to mark the passage of the seasons, to give thanks, to celebrate friendships and family? Gathering in community in this way is as old as humanity itself. Our gatherings can be inspired by common action, such as singing, cooking, athletics, and so on; or they can be motivated by common inspiration such as peace, ecology, freedom, and so on; or they can be based on common biological or cultural lineages, such as family and neighbors. The lists go on and on – you get the idea. The fundamental ingredient in all of these gatherings is mutuality: a common interest, a common value, a common heritage.
What desire are we satisfying, what creativity are we engaging, what piece of us are we recognizing when we come together with others in common purpose? Look at the amazing power of professional sports in this regard – thousands of people gathering to support their team – to feel a part of something larger, to focus in a unified direction. It truly is an amazing dream! What if all of the thousands of ways we gather in community, from meditation groups to professional sports teams, are all expressions of our desire to feel our original nature? What if our image of ourselves as separate from one another is just that – an image – and gathering with others in this way actually reminds us that we are not separate, that we are part of a unified consciousness, a CommonUnity?
Luca and I gathered recently this way with our family – not our biological family, but a family borne of common values, common interest and actually, common heritage as well. We gathered to share open hearts, open minds, different points of view, belly-splitting laughs and great food. We gathered to share our presence with one another, and in doing so, experienced ourselves as cells in the body of yet another “whole”. The potential of this type of gathering, where humans come together in common purpose, in common intent, is astounding. The common intent can be for healing, for balance, for love, for freedom, the list is as long as our heart’s desires. Imagine if everyone in a sports stadium gathered with the same passion and intention they offer to their favorite sports team and offered this on behalf of human happiness, or human peace. Wow!
What quality do you desire most for yourself? An awareness practice focuses our attention to reveal, nurture and develop that quality. One of the most effective ways to increase and strengthen what our hearts desire is to BE THAT in the world. There are undoubtedly others who desire the same quality you do – why not gather and amplify, reflect and support one another in making this quality present in the world?
Find a community, make a community, gather in community! Share yourself fully, do not hold back. When we hold back, we deny ourselves and the world what we desire most
