Finding Strength in Community

Lately, my life has been something of a cycle. It goes like this:

I read the news of the day. Try not to doom-scroll. Feel the tension creep into my body.

Then, I pause. I remind myself to return to my body. To practice mindfulness. To breathe. To calm down the system a bit. Some days, it works. Other days, it doesn’t.

I dive into my work building websites, solving complex, technical problems. It’s a welcome escape from the world’s chaos. But sometimes, it only adds more stress.

Then back to yoga, which brings me back to presence. It makes me alert, aware, and engaged with reality. It’s grounding.

Maybe you can relate to this cycle? The pull between feeling overwhelmed by the world and trying to find peace within yourself? The constant struggle to stay balanced?

When I really stop and think about it, I realize that I’m not under attack. Most days, my wife and I are safe in our home. My kids are living their lives, mostly protected by their respected schools. My family and I are healthy and safe.

Due to my privilege, the stress does not come from my life. It comes from the world outside. It comes from the news. The constant bombardment of bad headlines.

So, I understand when people choose to stop reading the news. Many people, including Buddhist monks and office workers, take this route to protect their mental health. It’s a form of self-care in a world that often feels out of control.

But we cannot avoid the reality of the world forever. The antidote, I’m coming to believe, is community.

During my yoga teacher training at Kripalu, we were divided into small groups. Each group was called a kula. This Sanskrit word can be translated as “community,” “tribe,” or “clan.” And in that community, we found strength. We supported each other through the training’s challenges. We celebrated each other’s growth. We shared ideas and asked questions.

Now, in this chaotic time, when so many are struggling with fear, I encourage you to find your kula. It does not matter what you call it—sangha, kula, or something else entirely. What matters is that you place Love at the center of it.

If you are a member of a marginalized group—if you’re trans, an immigrant, non-white—lean into your networks. Reach out for support. Your community is there for you.

If you are you are white, cisgender, straight, and financially stable, then consider organizing your community to support those who are being targeted. Listen to the activists in those communities. They are leading the way, and your help is invaluable.

You can show your support in many ways. Pick up trash at their events. Bring food. Show up, even when you don’t have all the answers. The point is to support the work they’re already doing, in any way they ask for help. It does not matter where you focus your efforts. All justice work is interconnected.

Doing this work is not just about helping others. When you work together in your kula, it supports you too. This is not about feeling like you have to fix everything or become a hero. It’s about showing up with love and being part of something bigger than yourself.

And, yes, it feels good. It feels like hope when you work alongside others who are fighting for justice. When you give your time and energy to a cause, you not only support those who need it most, you also nurture your own well-being.

There are many ways to get involved. If you live in Minnesota and are looking for a way to support your community, check out this great list of Minnesota organizations. National groups like Indivisible and PFLAG both have local chapters. Connect with people in your local church, or find a nearby Unitarian Universalist congregation where you will likely meet others committed to justice work. These are just a few of the many options available.

In summary, here’s what I encourage you to do:

1. Stay aware of what’s happening. Pay attention to the realities of the world.
2. Breathe. Do yoga. Meditate. Take care of yourself so you can be present for others.
3. Find your kula. Form a community. Support one another.
4. Support marginalized groups, either directly or by backing activists who are already doing the work.
5. Place Love at the center of everything you do.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said:

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”

If we place Love at the center of our work and join forces, we can make a difference.

I’d love to hear from you. What are you doing to support your community? Do you feel stuck or overwhelmed? How can I help you along the way?

Let’s support each other. We’re all in this together.