With so much wisdom and insight available online today, there’s no need to visit a local church, synagogue or sangha for spiritual support…or is there?

Our interconnected world makes it possible for each of us to access a wide range of wisdom, at convenient times, in the privacy of our own homes.  As valuable as that can be, it may lead us to overlook the value of spiritual community: ongoing, real-life connection to other people seeking meaning and purpose.

Consider three ways that a spiritual community might contribute to your well-being:

1. Regular spiritual practice. Spiritual community can provide a regular time and place for spiritual practice—that is, for ritual, prayer or meditation. The orderly rhythm found in spiritual community can provide an anchor to meaning in busy, multi-tasking lives.  Traditional rituals remind us that we’re part of a long line of human connection, allowing us to gain perspective on our problems.  In spiritual community, we can develop the habit of meditating, praying or finding stillness: habits that help reduce stress during the week.
2. Asking for and receiving support. It’s one thing to read about an inspiring person online and quite another to sit down with her for coffee. In spiritual community, you’re likely to find people willing to listen and offer guidance from life experience. Many members of spiritual communities have found acceptance, even in the face of significant life problems and character flaws.  They’re likely to accept you, too!  And you may find that you’re exactly the one who can provide support when a member of the community is in need.
3. Increasing our capacity to love.  In real-life spiritual community, you’re virtually guaranteed to meet people you don’t like (even folks you might think are downright weird) and that’s a good thing.  It’s easy to express a belief in love and compassion, but putting it into practice can be challenging and life-changing.  Spiritual communities give us a chance to practice the art of living together in peace, as all wisdom calls us to do.  In spiritual community we learn to laugh, to cooperate, and to put others’ needs before our own.

What qualifies as a “spiritual community”?  In addition to churches, synagogues, mosques and temples, there are meditation centers, twelve-step groups, yoga studios, men’s and women’s groups, song circles, service clubs and non-denominational spiritual communities.

Needless to say, no community is perfect. No matter which one you attend, you’re sure to find something about it that doesn’t perfectly match your preferences.  Viewed as a tool for growth, the most challenging aspects of spiritual community may prove to be the best teachers.  Spiritual practice, support and personal growth—they might be right next door.

Lynn Harrison is a Unitarian Universalist ministry student and singer-songwriter.  She is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Emmanuel College in Toronto. Learn more about her at lynnharrison.ca.