When we practice with others, there is
mutual support, and the practice becomes
easy. In Buddhism, a practice community is
called a sangha. We can make our family
into a sangha. If everyone learned the art of
deep listening and loving speech, we could
make our workplace, our neighborhood,
our local government, and even Congress
into a community of practice. Being part of
a sangha can heal feelings of isolation and
separation. We practice mindfulness together,
sit together, walk together, sometimes we
may drink tea, garden, or eat side by side and
wash dishes together. Just by going about
our daily activities with fellow practitioners,
we can experience a tangible feeling of love
and acceptance. The sangha is a garden, full of many varieties of trees and flowers. When
we can see ourselves and others as beautiful,
unique trees and flowers, we can truly grow to
understand and love one another. One flower
may bloom in early spring, and another in late
summer. One tree may bear many fruits and
another tree may offer refreshing shade. No
one plant is greater than another. 86