The power of community - a reminder
How connection can ground, inspire and empower us.
I first published this letter in November and wanted to reshare as a reminder to both you and I on the importance of community.
As technology increasingly dominates our lives, and global news becomes more dystopian it is easy to feel isolated, now more than ever.
One of aspects of running workshops and soon, the Focus & Flow retreat, is witnessing the sense of community that develops. A space where individuals feel comfortable to authentically share their experience with others in a supportive environment.
If you feel a pull to connect with others off screen, you are invited to join me at the upcoming workshops on Sunday 29th June and July 8th, listed at the bottom of the newsletter.
For the past ten years I’ve witnessed a growing sense of community in my life.
In 2014 I went on my first weekend meditation retreat, which awakened something in me. I noticed my mind expand and it felt like I had received an upgrade. The negative thinking subsided and I was left instead with a sense of lightness.
Aside from the meditation sessions, what stood out to me over the course of the weekend was this feeling of togetherness. Sharing our experiences in a circle and forming authentic connection with others.
After attending another retreat, I was invited to join a four year mens group studying the dharma (the Buddhas teachings) at the London Buddhist Centre. We met once a week and at the start of each class, we would check in to share how we were feeling.
Over the duration of the course I formed some deep friendships and some of the men have become my closest friends. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful that I got to experience such a unique setting at that time in my life.
I was in my early thirties and just starting to get bored of the partying phase of my life, that I spent much of my hedonistic twenties enjoying. I was searching for something more, but had no idea where to look.
Fortunately when I moved to East London, I stumbled upon the London Buddhist Centre which played a pivotal role in my (slow) spiritual development.
Midway through the 4 year course I was invited to an open evening at the mens residential community above the Buddhist centre. At first I was resistant to the idea, as my immediate thoughts were that it was a cult and I’d never escape!
But seeing how I’d got this far and still had my freedom, I decided to go. At the open evening four Men ranging between their early 20’s to mid 30’s stood up and shared their experiences of living in community life.
They were all glowing with joy, honestly it was outrageous how anyone could be that happy. It turned out that these four men were soon to be leaving for the mountains of Spain for four months where they would be getting ordained. Which meant there was an opportunity for newbies to take their place while they were gone.
In that instance I knew that I had to put my hat in the peace loving ring. Two months later and I had moved in and I stayed until I left to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Quite the contrast, but I’ll leave that one for another post.
I look back at my time living in community with deep fondness. I was living with a group of men who were all aiming to develop their consciousness and live in a way that followed Buddhists principles. Which basically meant that they were all very nice!
We had a rota and would take turns cooking and cleaning. When I moved in, I was a carnivore and was clueless about how to cooking vegetarian meal for 1, let alone for 14 hungry Buddhists. But I soon got into the groove.
Admittedly, there were a few times when I forgot that it was my turn to cook and so ended up having to order everyone vegan burger and chips, thereby introducing them all to the magic of Deliveroo for the first time. Blame it on the ADHD…
On Sunday I attended a talk by Jnanavaca, the former chairman of the London Buddhist Centre, who lives in the same community and also led my Mens study group. He is a very kind and wise man, who took me under his Buddhist wing. Throughout the speech, he emphasised the importance of sangha (spiritual community) in his own progression on the Buddhist path, which partly inspired me to write this post.
Through the mens study group, I was introduced to the Mankind Project, a charity helping men to establish and pursue their own life purpose and nurture their emotional well-being. Not being one to do things in half measures, I attended their New Warrior Training in Ireland followed by an 8 week course.
Once again I witnessed the power of community, albeit in a different setting and philosophy. And over the last few years I have engaged in healing spaces from psychedelic retreats to breathwork, mindfulness and icebath facilitator training.
In each instance I observed how a sense of community was created in spaces where people felt safe to share and connect on a deeper level. Maintaining friendships with many of the individuals I have met along the way, has made my life much richer.
And so it is this background of experience that I bring to the Breathe with ADHD workshops. At each session we have an opening and closing circle to share, which can often be incredibly healing and integrate the experience.
Strangers are vulnerable with each other and bonds are formed. When others hear someone else express the same struggles we are going through, it makes us feel less alone. There are not many spaces where you can connect with others on a deep level, but I like to think that these workshops are opportunities to do exactly that.
And that is why I am facilitating new dates in London over the next month. So, if you are looking for a sense of community and a place to find some inner calm then, do come along.
For a deeper experience and an opportunity to immerse yourself in community and connection, there are limited spaces available on the Focus & Flow retreat, in Portugal, Sept 20th - 25th. Apply here.
Steve Simon forgot it was his turn to cook dinner for the community, but fortunately all that meditation practice helped him remain calm and he totally didn’t panic at all.