Dear Reader,
Do you have a regular spiritual practice?
When I ask this question, I often hear responses like, “Well, I meditate once in a while, but I really should be doing it more.”
But did you know that there are countless other spiritual practices besides meditation?
There’s even one kind of spiritual practice that many don’t think about as spiritual practice, and that’s being in community.
Let’s explore this topic a little more, shall we?
Now let’s get ALIGNED…
Inspirational Quote
"A lot of times people do spiritual practice just for themselves. I try to turn that a little bit. I try to make spiritual practice more a part of the community. I write about infusing people with compassion."
- Sakyong Mipham
The Story and The Spiritual Lesson
When I first meet with clients, I ask them to share their current spiritual practices, if they have any.
The most common responses I hear are meditation, prayer, and journaling.
Those who have been on the spiritual path a bit longer often include walking in nature, studying spiritual books, and tithing.
More advanced spiritual students sometimes say that everything they do is a spiritual practice—including washing the dishes and doing the laundry—because they approach even the smallest tasks with mindfulness.
What I don’t hear as often is the idea of community as a spiritual practice.
Spirituality is often perceived as an individual journey:
- How can I better my life?
- How can I cultivate my personal relationship with God?
- How can I grow spiritually?
When you ask questions from the “I” perspective, you usually arrive at “I” responses.
But what if you changed the “I” to “we”?
- How can we better our lives?
- How can we cultivate our relationship with God?
- How can we grow spiritually?
By expanding our perspective to interconnectedness, we open ourselves to greater possibilities for spiritual growth.
At the heart of "community as a spiritual practice" is the understanding that being in relationship with others creates an opening for a deeper awareness of how Spirit manifests in our lives.
When you seek the Divine in community, you begin to see it reflected in the people around you.
A warm hug feels like the Divine embracing you.
A kind word carries the voice of the Divine.
And here’s something powerful to consider:
If you see the Divine in others, that means the Divine also lives, breathes, and moves in you!
Imagine attending a gathering where the room is filled with all the great spiritual teachers you admire.
How would you greet them?
What do you think the mood of the gathering would be?
Would there be joy and laughter?
Would these teachers be authentic and deeply present?
Now, imagine that everyone at this gathering sees you as a great spiritual teacher—greeted with love, respect, and admiration.
This is how the Universe sees you!
Embracing community as a spiritual practice means seeing beyond the masks and exteriors of others, and experiencing each other as your true selves.
You're called to choose connection over isolation.
You're drawn to express greater authenticity rather than pretense.
You're invited to deepen relationships and engage with others in a spirit of love and service.
Your Call to Action
In the spirit of embracing community as a spiritual practice, here is your coaching assignment for the week:
- Choose a community you belong to—this could be a church, a spiritual center, a community group, your workplace, or even your family.
- Reflect on these questions: How can I deepen my relationships? How can I brighten someone’s day? How can I love more? How can I be more authentic?
- Choose one answer that resonates with you—and move with loving action.
I'd love to hear what ways you are choosing connection and embracing community. Please reply to this email and let me know.
Ultimately, embracing community as a spiritual practice is an act of divine service and love. You serve and love because your intention in community is the well-being of all.
May you find connection and love in community, as community finds connection and love in you.
Abundant Blessings and Namaste.
Abundant Good News and Notes
You're Invited to Join The Abundant Good Journey: If you're looking to be in spiritual community with other like-hearted people, I'd love for you to consider joining the Abundant Good Journey. Every month we gather on zoom to delve into topics that deepen your practices and allow you to bring greater focus and intentionality to your life, aligned with your heart's highest desire. Our next gathering of the Abundant Good Journey happens on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 9:30am Pacific Time. The topic is "Your Word Is Your Wand." To learn more about the Abundant Good Journey, click here.
Visioning Your Best 2025: It's not too late to vision your highest and best life for this year. If you’d like to purchase the replay of our recent gathering of “Visioning Your Best 2025,” you can learn about and practice the intuitive art of Visioning, and leave with greater clarity about how life is calling you forward. Click here to learn more.
Thanks for reading ALIGNED!
If you have any questions or want to share what you thought about this newsletter, hit reply and let me know.
Abundant Blessings,
Joselito Laudencia
Spiritual Life Coach, Teacher, Speaker
Author, The Creative Impulse: Answering the Highest Calling of Your Heart
www.abundantgood.com
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